PDC Europe NEXT GEN Round-Up | Florian Preis crowned champion

On Sunday, the second tournament of the season’s first PDC Europe NEXT GEN weekend came to a close. After Daniel Klose’s opening win on Saturday, a new name topped the standings on day two: the 18-year-old Florian Preis won the league-phase event to claim his first NEXT GEN title.

PDC Europe NEXT GEN is aimed at players from Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland who are at least 16 years old and do not hold a Tour Card. The series aims to provide a platform for young talents and ambitious players. At the end of the NEXT GEN season, the best performers qualify for the PDC Europe Super League, where the German ticket for the PDC Darts World Championship is awarded.

The young German was already in strong form during the league phase. With convincing wins over Thomas Peitz, Jan Hagen, and Leonard Maximilian Wrona, Preis cruised through the group stage without major issues and deservedly reached the knockout rounds.

He then raised the level again. In his first three matches of the finals phase, Preis was flawless and did not drop a single leg. Only in the last 16 did it get tighter: against Moritz Bohrmann, a hard-fought contest unfolded, which Preis edged in the decider, 4-3.

The quarterfinal brought a former World Championship participant in Nico Kurz. Preis cleared that hurdle with confidence as well, winning 5-3. In the semifinal, he barely allowed Kilian Hohnstedt to get going in a clear 5-1 victory and booked a thoroughly deserved place in the final.

In the final, Preis faced Finn Behrens—and delivered another dominant display. With a commanding 6-2 win, the 18-year-old left no doubt who the strongest player was on Sunday. The victory not only earned Preis his first PDC title but also prize money of 1,500 euros.