Gary Anderson claimed he’s ‘never been so lucky’ after ending his ten-year wait for a European Tour title in Sindelfingen on Sunday.
Anderson returned to winning ways on the big stage with victory in the NEO.bet European Darts Grand Prix, courtesy of an 8-6 success against Ross Smith in Sunday’s showpiece.
The two-time World Champion produced a clutch 121 checkout in the penultimate leg to seize the initiative, before capitalising on seven missed darts from Smith in leg 14 to complete a landmark win at the Glaspalast.
“I don’t know how I won it,” reflected Anderson, who won his previous European Tour title at the German Darts Championship in February 2014.
“In my last three games I was so lucky. I have never been so lucky in my life playing darts!
“It’s been a long time, a very long time [since last winning a stage title].
“Many years ago when I played on the European Tour, the crowd was starting to grow, and it’s just got bigger and bigger.
“Whether it’s Germany, Holland or wherever – everyone now wants to play darts, and why not, because these crowds are fantastic.”
Competing in just his fourth European Tour event since bringing a seven-year hiatus from the circuit to an end in 2023, Anderson continued his resurgence to scoop the £30,000 top prize.
The Scot registered a stunning 110.23 average in his second round win over former PDC Asian Champion Christian Perez, landing a brace of 11-darters on his way to victory.
The 53-year-old then recorded another ton-topping average to sink Gerwyn Price, before edging past Josh Rock and reigning champion Rob Cross in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
“I played well in my first game and I think it went right downhill since,” joked Anderson, who rises three places to 21st on the PDC Order of Merit.
“I should have never beaten Josh Rock, I should have never beaten Rob Cross, and I shouldn’t have beaten Ross Smith either.
“It’s not very often I win a game being lucky, but we will pinch that one, and hopefully the next time I might win it outright by playing properly!”
Smith, meanwhile, survived ten match darts in advancing to his first European Tour final, winning through deciding-leg encounters against Ritchie Edhouse, Damon Heta & Michael van Gerwen.
“To be fair I’ve rode my luck throughout this tournament, so I can’t complain,” claimed Smith, a European Championship winner in October 2022.
“I don’t know if I’m learning to dig deep and win games or if I’m just lucky to be honest, but at the end of the day I was in the final.
“Obviously I’m gutted to lose, but it is what it is. I’ll be back on the practice board and will just keep working hard.
“I will take this into Graz next weekend and hopefully go one better, but congratulations to Gary, he was absolutely brilliant.”