Michael van Gerwen claimed his first-ever Hungarian Darts Trophy title spectacularly on Sunday night, defeating fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen 8-7 in a nail-biting final. The victory adds yet another accolade to Van Gerwen’s illustrious career, making it his 37th Euro Tour title.
The final was a dramatic, edge-of-your-seat contest that saw both players display their best darts. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion, showed his experience and skill, but 22-year-old Van Veen proved to be a fierce competitor, pushing the legendary player to the limit.
Van Gerwen’s Road to Victory
Throughout the tournament, Van Gerwen dominated his matches, cruising past Martin Lukeman (6-2), Gabriel Clemens (6-2), Josh Rock (6-4), and Ross Smith (7-3) to reach the final. His journey was relatively smooth, with his unmatched precision and nerve keeping him in control.
However, the final against Gian van Veen was anything but easy. Van Veen, who was playing in his first-ever Euro Tour final, came into the match with confidence after impressive wins against Keane Barry (6-4), Danny Noppert (6-3), Wessel Nijman (6-2), and Ryan Searle (7-5).
Final Showdown: A Battle of Nerves
The final began with a bang as Van Gerwen opened the match with a brilliant 170 finish in the first leg, setting the tone for what would be a gripping contest. Although Van Veen quickly leveled the score, Van Gerwen surged ahead, taking a 3-1 lead with finishes of 81 and a steady 16-dart leg.
Van Veen responded with resilience, breaking back and leveling the score at 3-3, thanks to a fantastic 101 finish. The match remained tight, with both players holding their throws over the next four legs.
At 6-5, Van Veen seized his first lead with a superb 14-darter, putting Van Gerwen on the back foot. He even had a chance to extend his lead but missed the bullseye, allowing Van Gerwen to break back and even the score. As the tension grew, Van Gerwen missed two chances to take the lead again, and Van Veen capitalized with a 72 checkout to move ahead 7-6.
In the 14th leg, Van Veen had a match dart but narrowly missed the bullseye, giving Van Gerwen the opportunity to force a decider. The Dutch veteran held his nerve, finishing on double 4 to bring the match to a final leg.
Final Leg Drama
Van Gerwen had the advantage of starting the last leg, but Van Veen threw first blood with a 180. He left himself 78 after four visits, but Van Gerwen was not to be denied. Needing 110 to clinch the title, Van Gerwen delivered under pressure with treble 20, single 18, and a perfect double 16 to seal the win.
With this victory, Van Gerwen claimed the top prize of £30,000, while Van Veen, despite his heartbreak in the final, walked away with a well-deserved £12,000 for his remarkable run in the tournament.
This win cements Van Gerwen’s legacy even further and shows that, despite years at the top, he remains one of the most formidable players in the sport.
