Seventh heaven on European Tour for prolific Price with thrilling European Darts Open final win over Van Duijvenbode

Gerwyn Price has been the standout player all weekend at the European Darts Open and has vindicated his decision not to head to the qualifiers for the next few European Tour tournaments all but securing his spot in Dortmund by winning the title.

Price sealed an 8-7 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode who missed match darts and 'The Iceman' jumped all over it sending it to a decider sealing the deal for his seventh European Tour title.

This in a weekend which saw him defeat Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith en route after Premier League glory in Newcastle, a statement sent out by the Welshman that he is a man to beat.

Price missed 115 for the opening leg on double 18 but returned for the same target to lead 1-0. Van Duijvenbode levelled up on double 16.

Price missed two darts to hold and Van Duijvenbode took aim at 84 breaking throw for a 2-1 lead. A 180 left 164 for Van Duijvenbode on his throw and with Price not on a finish, he set up 81 and pinned the bull for a 3-1 lead.

It was a second 180 for Van Duijvenbode. Price missed 108 to hold and Van Duijvenbode had a shot at 98 but missed double 13 allowing ‘The Iceman’ back for 3-2.

Price pinned double 12 and made it 3-3 and was throwing for the lead. But could only set up 24 and Van Duijvenbode went for 110 missing double 20 to break back and ‘The Iceman’ pinned double 12 last dart for 4-3. Double 20 saw Van Duijvenbode seal parity again.

But Price hit his first 180 of the contest as he looked to hold throw. He hit missed two darts to hold and Van Duijvenbode had a chance at 108 which he placed on the wire of double 16. Price as a result made it 5-4.

Van Duijvenbode hit 77 to hold with Price sat waiting to attempt to break and it was sat again at parity at 5-5. It was another 180 for Price to start his throw and he hit another to bring up the potential nine-dart attempt.

He went seven darts in before leaving it placed on 56 and he made it 6-5. Van Duijvenbode held for 6-6.

A 130 setup from 170 from Van Duijvenbode saw him get darts to break which he claimed to make it 7-6 and go one away from the title. Van Duijvenbode set up 36 from 170 with Price needing 148 which he couldn’t get.

Van Duijvenbode missed match darts and Price took advantage with a 108 checkout to send it to a decider. He hit a 180 and was well ahead in the decider leaving 91 after nine darts and he pinned double 10 to claim it.