Mainz Man of the Moment: Niko Springer wins maiden European Tour title at Hungarian Darts Trophy in remarkable run

The Mainz Man of the Moment, Niko Springer becomes the latest German to win on the European Tour seeing off Danny Noppert in a surprise final at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest.

But the winner was no surprise as he won 8-7 in a decider in the end as the German touted as one of the next cabs off the rank in PDC darts continues to rise towards a first title and a breakthrough that could see him make the World Grand Prix.

Noppert hadn't reached a final since Zwolle in 2022 and looked on course for most of the final to finally win one but Springer had other ideas. While he has not been too proficient on the floor in his opening run on the tour, the stage has been his friend. He has reached two European Tour finals this year and has struck the second time of asking to a look of shock and disbelief but on a day he has seen off Rob Cross, Luke Humphries, Josh Rock and now Noppert he did it the hard way.

Springer hit double 10 last dart in hand to hold throw. Noppert needed 133 with Springer sat on 88. He missed two at double 14 and Noppert returned for 1-1. Both had double trouble and Springer finally hit double 16 for a 20 darter for 2-1.

Noppert missed 51 to break and Springer returned only to miss 120 for 3-2. The Dutchman returned for double 10. A 61 checkout saw Noppert go 4-2 up. Springer pinned 47 to go one down but he needed a break. Springer got back on the board with a 14-darter. He pinned a 120 checkout for a break though as Noppert's plan failed the throw before to make it 5-5.

Noppert though broke back for 6-5 only for Springer to stay resolute with 76. He went one away and suddenly Noppert needed the break. After the crowd were told to stop whistling, Springer pulled out an incredible 180 to leave 82. He went bull and then missed two at double 16. But he was set to have more. Noppert shoehorned first dart into single one to sum it up.

Springer took aim at double 16, he went inside but pinned double eight to become the champion in Budapest and joins a select group including German icons Max Hopp and Martin Schindler to scoop titles on the greatest tour in darts. A player on the rise and he has a first European Tour.

Just as the darts was coming on the air on Sunday night, there was big news for the trajectory of the tournament as Gerwyn Price had to suddenly withdraw due to medical reasons.

This in turn gave Luke Littler a free pass to the semi-finals and meant he'd play the winner of Danny Noppert v Chris Dobey. As you may have gathered given he reached the final, Noppert won through seeing off Chris Dobey. He eased through 6-2.

At the start, Dobey missed golden chances to hold and Noppert stepped in to break pinning double two for 3-2. He went 4-2 up with a 74 checkout on double 20 to go towards a date with Littler. He concluded it from there with a 97 average, the main stat though was near flawless doubling with Dobey hitting 2/8. 

Then it was the turn of James Wade who faced off against Josh Rock albeit the tie was a bit of a damp squibb as Rock won very easily as Wade was very much off colour compared to his recent form. To start, Wade missed the second dart for 160 but Rock couldn't pin a double. Wade couldn't pick his pocket though and Rock hit double two.

Rock hit a 13-darter to break and he hit a 70 checkout to head towards the finishing line. Suddenly an 11-darter for Wade and he was now 3-2 down with a break. Wade's sojourn back into the tie was shortlived with back-to-back 13 darters for Rock and he moved one away from the semi-finals. A 78 checkout called eloquently by Franz Engerer in his operatic tone and Rock claimed it.

Then it was the last Quarter-Final with Niko Springer facing Luke Humphries which produced the coming of age in this event of the German. Humphries missed three darts to hold to begin his tie with Springer. The German responded with an epic 130 checkout. Humphries faffed around on 30 and had to bust it and Springer hit double one to hold for 2-0.

An 11-dart 48 checkout and Humphries was in business at 2-2. Springer though then broke back with a 47 checkout and was throwing to go two away. Humphries missed two from 60 but he returned for double 20 to go one down at 4-3. Springer couldn't hit 121 and Humphries had his break. Albeit Springer broke back with an 83 checkout from the nonchalant German as Humphries was stood shaking his head.

Humphries hit 180 but Springer pinned 58 to seal the win. Then it was Noppert's time as he faced Luke Littler. Largely expected to win from this field, 'The Nuke' was stunned.

Littler couldn't pin 114 but Noppert couldn't take two chances to break. Littler missed chances to hold again and Noppert hit double two for 2-1. Noppert missed 116 and Littler hit 75 to hold. Another break chance halted. Noppert missed two chances to hold and Littler got given 89 to break.

But he missed the bull and Noppert returned for double four for 4-2. Noppert missed 64 for another break and Littler hit double 20 for 4-3. Albeit he returned for 65. Noppert then hit back with a 132 checkout only for Littler to hit 145. But a 70 checkout saw Noppert claim the win and stop the superb surge from Littler.

But in a weekend of surprises, the surprise final was there as Niko Springer saw off Josh Rock in a European Tour classic.

Springer hit back superbly early with a 170 checkout with Rock waiting on 66 to hold throw for 2-0. Rock missed 108 and Springer looked at a one treble combo too. But he couldn't get a shot at 112. Rock returned to break back for 2-1. A 171 to leave 90 for Rock. Springer hit the same to leave 94. Rock pinned double nine for 3-1.

Albeit back came Springer pinning double 20 to make it 3-3 and he was throwing for 4-3. Springer missed 82 and Rock hit double four to make it 4-3. Springer missed double 12 for a nine-dart finish and he finally returned for 4-4.

Springer missed 70 for 5-4 but Rock couldn't get a shot at 108. But Springer missed a chance to hold but again he returned. He took double two to make it 5-4. Springer had another nine-dart attempt but got nowhere close. But he couldn't take out 76 and Rock looked at 70. He missed a tricky double 20 and Springer made it 6-4.

Rock hit 126 to keep himself alive. Springer was sat on 80 waiting to win. Rock was throwing for a decider. He sent it all the way before Springer finally took it on double four to set up that unexpected final.