Double upset: Nathan Aspinall only player to achieve unique European Tour feat

Nathan Aspinall has etched his name into European Tour history in remarkable fashion. The Englishman is the only player to have won a Euro Tour event as the number eight seed. What makes his achievement even more impressive is that he managed to pull off this feat twice.

The first time Aspinall produced this unique accomplishment was at the 2025 European Darts Trophy, the second event of that season. Seeded eighth, he began the tournament without top-favorite status, but across the weekend his game grew and he ultimately stunned the field by lifting the title. Where many players crumble under pressure in the decisive stages of a tournament, Aspinall proved to be at his best when it really mattered.

This year he repeated the feat at the German Darts Grand Prix, the fourth Euro Tour event of the season. Once again he started as the eighth seed and once again he battled his way past a strong field. In the final, ‘The Asp’ proved too strong for Dutchman Danny Noppert, winning 8-5.

What makes this achievement even more notable is that several big names failed to win a Euro Tour title as the number eight seed. Michael van Gerwen fell short of the top prize at the second Euro Tour event of 2024, just as Dirk van Duijvenbode had a year earlier. Rob Cross in 2022 and Peter Wright in 2019 also could not convert their eighth seeding into a tournament win.

As a result, Aspinall has set himself apart within a list of elite players, adding further polish to his achievement. In a sport defined by fine margins and fierce competition, he proves that seeding is not everything and that resilience and form at the right moment can be decisive.

The European Tour takes a brief pause this weekend before resuming on 17/4/2026, 18/4/2026 and 19/4/2026. The European Darts Grand Prix will then take place in Sindelfingen, Germany. Gary Anderson starts that tournament as defending champion, after beating Andrew Gilding 8-0 in last year’s final.