Niko Springer captured the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest, claiming his first PDC European Tour title with an 8-7 win over Danny Noppert. The 25-year-old from Siefersheim became the fourth German player to win a European Tour event, marking a significant achievement in his career.
Springer’s Breakthrough Victory
Competing in his debut PDC season, Springer reached his second final of the year and converted this one into a breakthrough victory at the MVM Dome. In the final, he trailed 2-4 but managed to pull level at 5-5 and sealed the decider with an impressive 14-dart leg.
Springer’s remarkable run in the tournament featured a series of standout wins: he defeated Gian van Veen 6-3 despite the Dutchman averaging an impressive 105, overcame former world champion Rob Cross 6-3, and triumphed over world No. 1 Luke Humphries with back-to-back 11-darters, winning 6-4. In the semifinals, he edged past Josh Rock 7-6, which included a notable 170 checkout, and also recorded a dominant 6-1 victory against Damon Heta earlier in the tournament.
Noppert, on the other hand, reached his first European Tour final since 2022 after surviving a match dart in his opener against Rob Owen. He then defeated top players such as Michael van Gerwen, Chris Dobey, and reigning world champion Luke Littler on Finals Day, a performance that elevates him to world No. 13.
Josh Rock and Luke Littler completed the semifinal lineup. Humphries produced the highest average of the 2025 European Tour so far, achieving over 113 in a convincing 6-1 win against Mike De Decker. The MVM Dome set a single-day attendance mark of around 10,000 fans, showcasing the growing popularity of darts in Hungary. Additionally, Thibault Tricole made history by becoming the first French player to reach a European Tour Finals Day.
The European Tour continues with the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel from September 26 to 28, where Martin Schindler will aim to defend his title. This upcoming event promises to be another thrilling chapter in the PDC European Tour, attracting fans and players alike.