“Gary Anderson is a legend in our sport" - Niko Springer opens Grand Slam of Darts group of death with landmark win

It was a memorable day for Niko Springer at the 2025 Grand Slam of Darts. The young German, in his first season at the highest level, opened the tournament with an impressive victory over none other than Gary Anderson. For Springer, who has caught the eye on the European Tour in recent months, it was another sign of his growth as a player and his potential to compete with the sport’s elite.

“I’m very happy to be through,” Springer said after his match with Anderson. “It was a tough game and I knew I had to play really well to beat him. If he’d hit the doubles first it would have been a lot more difficult, but I’m very happy to have won my first match.”

This victory carried extra meaning for Springer. It was his first time playing a televised match against a player of Anderson’s calibre, and he made a point of enjoying the moment. “Gary is a legend in our sport. For me it’s unique to play against someone like him, especially at my first Grand Slam of Darts,” he said. “It feels great to get through.”

Springer’s group is far from forgiving. Alongside Anderson are Michael van Gerwen and Beau Greaves. For a debutant, that could easily be intimidating, but Springer prefers a different approach. “It’s tough to play all these players, but I try to see it from a positive perspective,” he explained. “I have nothing to lose this year, so I want to enjoy every moment. It’s fantastic to play against such good players and it only motivates me more.”

This attitude reflects the rest of his season. Springer has impressed on the European Tour, with strong runs and a breakthrough into the top 64 of the world rankings for the first time in his career. “I know I can play well, but every player here can play much better. That’s why I always have to play my best game to win. This year I’ve shown I’m competitive, and I want to keep going,” he said.

The win over Anderson was an important marker, but Springer admits that success on the European Tour has played a huge role in building his confidence. “It sounds easy, but it’s hard to stay consistent. Sometimes you play three or four days in a row and you have to be sharp again right away. You don’t really have time to think about your wins; you have to focus on the next one. It’s tough, but I try to get the best out of myself, and that’s the most important thing,” he explained.

That mentality is crucial in a tournament like the Grand Slam, where the pressure is intense and mistakes are punished immediately. Springer knows he must stay focused for the matches ahead, including his upcoming clashes with Michael van Gerwen and Beau Greaves. “Both are incredible players. I know I have to play really well to beat them, but I’m ready and I’ll try my best,” he said with determination.

Springer also sees his achievements as part of a wider picture. German darts is growing at remarkable speed, with more and more players breaking into the international scene. “If you look three or four years back, we had maybe three or four players on the Tour. This year we have twelve. There are a lot of talented players coming through,” Springer said. He pointed to Arno Merk as a recent example, having won the German Super League and qualified for the World Championship. According to Springer, it’s only a matter of time before a German player wins a major.

Alongside the Grand Slam, Springer already has an eye on the upcoming World Championship. “Last year was very special for me. I took my whole family with me, which made it extra special. This year I want to perform well again, but in a different way. My goal is to keep developing and produce a strong performance,” he said.

The World Championship is another chance for Springer to learn from past experiences. Last year he lost in the first round to Scott Williams, but he’s used that defeat to his advantage. “The first-round loss helped me a lot. I compare it a bit to the Super League final where I was 6–2 up and lost. Those experiences help you become mentally stronger and ready for the next challenge.”

Another thing that motivates Springer is the growing number of German fans travelling to Alexandra Palace. Although he appreciates the support, he remains focused on the job. “It’s always great to have supporters, but I try to concentrate on my performance and not too much on the crowd. The most important thing is winning and playing well,” he said.