Edhouse Clinches European Championship Title

The Darts European Championship 2024 saw an unexpected champion emerge. Englishman Ritchie Edhouse, 41, secured a thrilling victory over Jermaine Wattimena, 36, from the Netherlands in the final. Edhouse’s 11-3 win marked his first televised title, earning him £120,000 (approx. €144,204) and a spot in the Top 32 on the PDC Order of Merit. His triumph propels him to his first Grand Slam of Darts appearance in November.

Surprises at the Darts-EM

Edhouse’s path to victory included defeating strong opponents such as Gian van Veen, Michael Smith, and Gary Anderson. The tournament witnessed favorites like Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Gerwyn Price fall earlier than expected.

German Players’ Struggles

German players Gabriel Clemens and Michael Schindler exited in the first round, while Ricardo Pietreczko impressed with a thrilling win against Damon Heta. Despite Pietreczko’s strong performance, he fell to Danny Noppert in a tight match.

Public Criticisms Surface

Criticism arose at the European Championship due to the unconventional format that lacked set play, affecting players’ rhythm. Notably, Michael van Gerwen expressed discontent with the tournament’s conditions, citing disturbance from open doors during matches.

Upcoming Tournaments

The PDC Players Championship commences on October 30, followed by several November events leading up to the Paddy Power World Darts Championship in mid-December. Stay tuned for more exciting darts action ahead.