In a stunning display of darts, Ross Smith has secured his place in the European Championship 2026 final, defeating former champion Gerwyn Price 11-7 in a gripping semi-final clash. Smith, the 2022 champion, is now poised to challenge for his second European title, having overcome a strong challenge from the world number four. This victory sets the stage for an eagerly anticipated final against either Martin Schindler or Krzysztof Ratajski.
The Road to Dortmund’s Showdown
The first semi-final of the European Championship 2026 pitted the 2022 champion, Ross Smith, against World Number Four, Gerwyn Price. Top-seeded Smith’s journey to the semi-finals saw him overcome:
- Karel Sedlacek (6-4)
- Damon Heta (10-7)
- Luke Woodhouse (10-6)
Price, on the other hand, had a formidable path, eliminating:
- Rob Cross (6-2)
- Cameron Menzies (10-4)
- Stephen Bunting (10-3)
These two titans of darts were no strangers to high-stakes encounters this year. Smith famously defeated Price 11-5 in the final of the World Series of Darts Finals. However, Price had previously dominated Smith with a decisive 3-0 set victory in the second round of the World Grand Prix, setting the stage for a truly unpredictable semi-final.
A Battle of Nerves: The Semi-Final Unfolds
The match began with a tight exchange, as the first three legs all went with the throw. In the fourth leg, Smith couldn’t check out 112, allowing Price to seize the first break with a 17-dart leg. Price then consolidated his break with a 13-darter, heading into the first interval with a commanding 4-1 lead.
Smith, however, emerged stronger after the break. With impressive legs in 14, 16, and 17 darts, ‘Smudger’ skillfully leveled the match at 4-4. Price responded with a superb 104 checkout to regain the lead, but Smith quickly hit double 16 in the very next leg to make it 5-5 as they entered the second interval.
Smith Takes Control
Continuing his momentum, Smith broke Price’s throw with a 14-darter immediately after the second break, taking the lead for the first time in the match. He then consolidated this crucial break with an exquisite 11-darter in his own leg, extending his advantage to 7-5.
Price then had a golden opportunity, with four darts at a double to hold his throw, but the doubles eluded him. Smith capitalized, hitting double one to secure a double break and move to 8-5. Yet, Smith failed to consolidate this double break, as ‘The Iceman’ Price immediately broke back with a 13-darter, narrowing the gap to 8-6. A crucial leg followed before the final interval. Price had a dart at the bullseye to make it 8-7, but he missed. Smith remained composed, hitting double 8 to make it 9-6.
The Final Push
Smith opened the sixteenth leg with two maximum scores (180s), hinting at a perfect leg, but the nine-darter wasn’t to be. He ultimately reached match point with a 13-darter. Price held his own throw with a 14-darter, staying in the match and creating one last chance to break back. However, in the decisive leg, Price’s doubles deserted him once more. After six missed darts at doubles from ‘The Iceman’, Smith calmly stepped up and hit double two to seal the match 11-7, winning the first semi-final.
Match Statistics at a Glance
- Ross Smith: Average 92.55 / Double Percentage 33.3%
- Gerwyn Price: Average 93.69 / Double Percentage 29.2%
Despite Price’s slightly higher average, Smith’s superior finishing on his doubles at critical moments, particularly in the later stages, proved to be the decisive factor.
What’s Next? The Grand Final Awaits
Ross Smith will now face either Germany’s Martin Schindler or Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski in the European Championship 2026 final later this evening. For one of these two players, regardless of who emerges victorious from the second semi-final, it will mark their first appearance in a major darts final.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
