Ross Smith held off residence favorite Martin Schindler to win the European Championship title for a second time, with world champion Luke Littler having been knocked out within the quarter-finals.
England’s Smith reeled off six legs in a row as he took an 8-2 lead within the best-of-21 last in opposition to Germany’s Schindler in Dortmund.
Schindler bought it again to 9-7 earlier than Smith, who gained the event in 2022, managed to cross the road for an 11-8 victory.
“It is completely superb,” Smith, who beat Luke Woodhouse 10-6 and Gerwyn Value 11-7 to get to the ultimate, instructed ITV.
“I am not going to lie, I used to be a bit sweaty there. He would not let up would he? Full credit score to him.”
Smith gained the World Collection of Darts Finals in September and added: “To win one other main, not simply this yr, however simply to win one other main, I am completely over the moon and drained. I am buzzing.”
Schindler thrashed Jonny Clayton 10-1 earlier than beating Littler’s conqueror Krzysztof Ratajski 11-6 to achieve the ultimate.
Littler’s shock exit got here within the last match of the quarter-finals within the afternoon session, with Ratajski beating him 10-6.
“Performed nicely within the lead as much as in the present day, however simply did not click on for me earlier,” wrote Littler, who has but to win the European Championship, in a social media submit.
“Thanks for all of the help this weekend. The await this one goes on.”
