Sublime Stephen Bunting seals German domination, adds International Darts Open crown after Premier League Darts win in Berlin
PDC
Stephen Bunting is a European Tour champion for the first time in what has been a season saving week from 'The Bullet' winning the International Darts Open in Riesa over Nathan Aspinall.
Bunting won the Premier League Darts night in Berlin earlier in the week after going nine weeks without a single win. He showed real resolve on the ProTour last week to show the signs were there and he has really kicked into gear with European Tour glory added to his collection.
It was the match of the walk-ons as Titanium battled Mr Brightside but it was the David Guetta and Sia number which will be sending the fans of Bunting mental tonight.
Aspinall couldn't claim back-to-back European Tour titles and looked to have issues with his throwing arm during the tie. He was frustrated and though he kicked in and never gives up, it seems Bunting had the mileage that perhaps 'The Asp' didn't today.
Aspinall missed multiple chances to break Bunting in the opening leg and the latter pinned double two for 1-0. A 100 checkout saw Bunting break throw and he was throwing for a 3-0 lead.
Aspinall continued to fluff his lines. But he produced a superb bull on 66 to break back and make it 2-1. Bunting hit 72 for 3-1 to break straight back.
Bunting fluffed his lines on 125 and left 14 and Aspinall pinned trusty bull for 87 to break straight back at 3-2. Aspinall continued to shake his arm and looked frustrated with himself but he still managed to get a dart at 130 and again popped the bull for 3-3.
Aspinall had 81 to break. He missed double 12 and double six and Bunting had 100 to edge back ahead at 4-3. Bunting missed bull for 5-3 but returned for double eight and was throwing for a 6-3.
A 67 checkout saw Bunting make it 6-3. Bunting had darts to go 7-3 up but he couldn't take it as he looked to extinguish Aspinall's hopes and the latter wouldn't quell his hope as he hit double sixteen for 6-4.
Aspinall kept himself in the tie but Bunting was ready and primed and pinned double 10 for the title. A real incredible week capped off by 'The Bullet'. A maiden European Tour title and his Premier League season saved.
| Stephen Bunting | VS | Nathan Aspinall |
|---|---|---|
| 100.19 | Average (3 Darts) | 91.36 |
| 18 | 100+ Thrown | 7 |
| 10 | 140+ Thrown | 8 |
| 6 | 180 Thrown | 4 |
| 100 | Highest Checkout | 130 |
| 2 | Checkout 100+ | 1 |
| 44.4 | Checkout percentage | 41.7 |
| 8 / 18 | Checkout | 5 / 12 |
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BUNTING IS THE CHAMPION!
Bunting in ascendency
Aspinall had 81 to break. He missed double 12 and double six and Bunting had 100 to edge back ahead at 4-3.
Bunting missed bull for 5-3 but returned for double eight and was throwing for a 6-3.
Aspinall struggling but defiant
Bunting hit 72 for 3-1 to break straight back. Bunting fluffed his lines on 125 and left 14 and Aspinall pinned trusty bull for 87 to break straight back at 3-2.
Aspinall continued to shake his arm and looked frustrated with himself but he still managed to get a dart at 130 and again popped the bull for 3-3.
Aspinall under the cosh early
Aspinall missed multiple chances to break Bunting in the opening leg and the latter pinned double two for 1-0. A 100 checkout saw Bunting break throw and he was throwing for a 3-0 lead.
Aspinall continued to fluff his lines. But he produced a superb bull on 66 to break back and make it 2-1.
Final coming up!
Aspinall survives Schindler comeback
Schindler missed darts to hold and gave Aspinall more match darts. But he spurned those.
Schindler hit double two to make it 6-3. He missed 126 for 6-4 down on double six.
Aspinall had 130 but couldn't get a dart at the bull. Schindler returned for double one to make it 6-4 and was throwing to go one behind.
Aspinall showed great fight hitting a 180 to leave 60 for the win. Schindler hit 180 to leave double one. Aspinall though hit double 10 to win.
| Nathan Aspinall | VS | Martin Schindler |
|---|---|---|
| 104.11 | Average (3 Darts) | 93.83 |
| 6 | 100+ Thrown | 17 |
| 11 | 140+ Thrown | 4 |
| 6 | 180 Thrown | 3 |
| 81 | Highest Checkout | 116 |
| 0 | Checkout 100+ | 1 |
| 36.8 | Checkout percentage | 26.7 |
| 7 / 19 | Checkout | 4 / 15 |
Schindler survives match dart
Aspinall went bull for 90 but then hit treble 15 but missed double 10.
Schindler returned for 76 but missed double 20 and Aspinall went one away. Schindler missed 124 on double 11 and Aspinall had a dart at 126 for the win.
Schindler returned for double four to make it 6-2 with a break and was throwing for 6-3.
Aspinall easing towards final
Aspinall missed 87 on the bull to make it 4-0. Schindler finally kicked into life with 116.
Aspinall had a chance at 81 first to break back. He pinned double 13 for 4-1. Aspinall made it 5-1 with Schindler not able to lay a fist on him.
Schindler not at the races as Aspinall speeds ahead
Schindler missed bull for an 86 checkout. But he returned for double 20 only to miss three darts to hand Aspinall a break.
It wasn't happening for Schindler and Aspinall had 64 for a 3-0 lead which he took.
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- Anderson was in the semis as well so 3 of 4 players were Scottish.Mysstree09-04-2025
- I agree,but there still isn't a good enough German player to be considered. I've said before,scrap the whole thing,its a payday for the top players and gives nothing to anyone elserick6707-04-2025
- The Premier League isn’t a meritocracy as it’s not the top 8 players in the rankings, either at the start of the league or now. Dobey currently 9, Price 12. Aside from the top four Sky get picks, thats not meritocracy.Mysstree07-04-2025
- Aspinall really struggles against Littler. Head to head is currently 9 - 1 in Littlers favour.Mysstree07-04-2025
- Less exhibitions then you numpty.Mysstree06-04-2025
- I agree. There needs to be a points system and preferably just a rolling one year. World Championship should earn the most points though it can be argued that the current qualification system does see a fair few players qualify from regional country qualifiers who would struggle to hold down a place on the Pro Tour. If prize money won is going to remain as the determining factor for ranking then the World Championship should just consist of the 128 Tour Card Holders. Another option would be to take the World Championship out of the rankings and have it as the stand alone pinnacle that you qualify for by winning certain tournaments or your ranking position, sort of like a GSOD+.Mysstree05-04-2025
- The Premier league has literally become a pantomime with a hero and villain, all thats needed is an older dart player in drag to play the joke old woman / queen and a younger woman to play the male hero. Barry is probably working on it now.Mysstree04-04-2025
- Ridiculous the booing for both these players in the final in Germany tonightListerAnderson03-04-2025
- May only have won two PDC Majors but thats two more than most players will ever win. He wasn’t lucky either to beat Taylor and MVG, he outplayed them.Mysstree29-03-2025
- Bunting is having a nightmare.Mysstree28-03-2025