Hungarian Darts Trophy

20.09.2024
5 min read

Michael van Gerwen ended a 16-month drought on the PDC European Tour with a sensational 8-7 win over Gian van Veen to claim the 2024 Hungarian Darts Trophy title in Budapest on Sunday night.


The Dutch superstar had claimed his 36th European Tour win in May 2023 at the Belgian Darts Trophy, but extended his remarkable record in a thrilling decider at MVM Dome.

Van Veen was searching for his maiden senior PDC title, but the youngster was left to rue one missed match dart - at the bull - before Van Gerwen took the final's deciding leg with a 110 checkout.

Having also won a Players Championship on Wednesday, Van Gerwen has now scooped two titles in five days and £45,000 in prize money.

Van Gerwen had landed a nine-darter in Saturday's second round win over Martin Lukeman, and maintained that form with a 100 average in his third round win over Gabriel Clemens to open Finals Day.

He then saw off Josh Rock and Ross Smith - averaging 107.87 against the latter in the semi-finals - as he progressed to the decider in his hunt for a 37th European Tour success.

Van Gerwen opened the all-Dutch decider against Van Veen with a roof-raising 170 checkout, and added a second 12-darter and a break of throw to lead 3-1.

Van Veen hit back to level with a 101 finish, but missed his chance to break as Van Gerwen edged back in front, while the pair traded 13-darters to leave the three-time World Champion 5-4 up.

Van Veen then finished 110 to level and double eight to break and move ahead at 6-5, only to miss the bull as Van Gerwen broke back after the pair traded 180s.

Two misses at double 12 from Van Gerwen then allowed Van Veen in to finish 72 as he moved a leg away from victory - but he then wired the bull for a 118 finish for glory.

Double four saw Van Gerwen level and force a deciding leg, and with the throw the world number three was first to a finish - despite a Van Veen 180 - and he converted a 110 checkout to spark joyous scenes as he lifted yet another European Tour title.

Enthusiastic crowds at the MVM Dome had been treated to three nine-darters across the weekend - a first on the European Tour - with Van Gerwen having followed Cor Dekker in achieving perfection on Saturday.

Martin Schindler then completed the treble of nine-darters during Sunday afternoon's third round

Sunday September 22

Third Round (11)
Daryl Gurney 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Ryan Searle 6-1 Peter Wright
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Scott Williams
Gian van Veen 6-3 Danny Noppert
Ross Smith W-F Ricardo Pietreczko
Stephen Bunting 6-4 Martin Schindler (9 Darter Schindler) 
Gabriel Clemens 2-6 Michael van Gerwen
Josh Rock 6-4 Rob Cross

Quarter-Finals (11)
Daryl Gurney 3-6 Ryan Searle 
Wessel Nijman 2-6 Gian van Veen 
Ross Smith 6-5 Stephen Bunting
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Josh Rock

Semi-Finals (13)
Ryan Searle 5-7 Gian van Veen
Ross Smith 3-7 Michael van Gerwen

Final (15)
Gian van Veen 7-8 Michael van Gerwen