Ross Smith has emphatically claimed his second European Tour title of 2026, dominating darts legend Gary Anderson with an 8-2 victory at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest. In front of a record-breaking crowd of nearly 6,000 fans, Smith delivered a masterclass, averaging 101 and converting 73% of his checkouts. This stunning win not only secured the £35,000 top prize but also propelled him to the top of the European Tour rankings. Despite the final defeat, Anderson’s impressive run significantly boosted his European Championship qualification hopes.
Smith’s Unstoppable Rise to the Top
The MVM Dome in Budapest witnessed a truly spectacular performance as England’s Ross Smith secured his second European Tour title of 2026. Having previously tasted victory at the International Darts Open in May, Smith demonstrated why he’s one of the sport’s rising stars, delivering a **clinical 8-2 thrashing of two-time World Champion Gary Anderson** in the final.
The atmosphere was electric, with a **record-breaking European Tour crowd of almost 6,000 passionate fans** cheering on the players. Smith thrived under the pressure, showcasing incredible precision and composure throughout the final match.
A Final Masterclass
Smith’s final performance was nothing short of brilliant:
- He maintained an impressive **101 average**, demonstrating consistent high scoring.
- His finishing was exceptional, converting a remarkable **73% of his checkout opportunities**.
- After establishing an early 2-1 lead with stunning **103 and 124 checkouts**, he never looked back.
- He extended his advantage to five legs before sealing the coveted title with a decisive **11-dart break of throw**.
This dominant display earned him the substantial **£35,000 top prize** and significantly boosted his standing in the world of darts.
Reflections and Rankings
A humble Smith reflected on his victory: “I feel a bit in disbelief in a way because I was coming here on the back of two losses in the World Series. Playing Gary – it’s Gary Anderson isn’t it, he’s a legend. To be able to beat Gary, wow.”
The win sees Smith climb to a career-high **world number 15**. More importantly, it propelled him to the **top of the 2026 European Tour rankings**, surpassing fellow two-time title winner Wessel Nijman. His journey to the final included impressive victories over:
- William O’Connor (6-2, with a ton-plus average)
- Jonny Clayton (6-4, converting 60% of his doubles)
- Dave Chisnall (6-2)
- Danny Noppert (7-3 in the semi-finals)
“At the end of the day, I’m playing in front of thousands and thousands of people,” Smith added. “This is my job, wow! I’m so grateful, it’s a pinch myself moment. I absolutely love the European Tour. To travel the world and see everything and take my little lad with me, it’s an absolute privilege.”
Anderson’s Strong Campaign Despite Final Defeat
Despite ultimately falling short in the final, Gary Anderson’s performance throughout the Hungarian Darts Trophy was highly commendable. The “Flying Scotsman” had a **memorable campaign** that significantly bolstered his hopes for **European Championship qualification**.
This event marked Anderson’s first four European Tour wins of 2026, showcasing glimpses of his legendary form. His path to the final included:
- A sparkling **105.27 average** in a dominant 6-2 victory over Krzysztof Ratajski.
- A nail-biting win against Stephen Bunting in a last-leg decider.
- Another ton-plus average performance to defeat Gian van Veen in a deciding leg.
- A dramatic semi-final where he **survived five match darts** against Nathan Aspinall to reach his first European Tour final since July 2025.
Anderson, who was competing in only his third European Tour event of the year, humorously remarked after the final: “I ran out of steam a long time ago! Making the final was sheer luck, it was a gift from the gods I got this far. Ross has been brilliant throughout the day. We watched him during the second game, he was fantastic. We’ve got a few tournaments left to get into the Finals, so I’m going to give it my damnedest.”
Other Notable Performances on Finals Day
The final day of the Hungarian Darts Trophy also saw other top players deliver impressive performances:
- Last year’s runner-up, **Danny Noppert**, reached the semi-finals with solid wins over Ryan Searle and Dirk van Duijvenbode.
- **Nathan Aspinall** also made it to the semi-finals after hard-fought victories against darts giants Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey.
- In the afternoon session, **Dirk van Duijvenbode** defeated Rob Cross 6-4.
- **Dave Chisnall** comfortably eased past Keane Barry 6-2.
- **Gian van Veen** continued his strong form, extending his winning streak over Jermaine Wattimena to five matches.
- **Chris Dobey** delivered a highlight-reel moment, finishing his 6-3 win over Josh Rock with a spectacular **170 checkout** – the highest possible finish in darts.
What’s Next for the European Tour?
The excitement in the world of darts doesn’t stop here! The European Tour continues next weekend with the **Czech Darts Open in Prague from 4-6 September**. As the race for European Championship qualification intensifies, players will be eager to secure crucial ranking points. Fans can expect more thrilling action as the continent’s best battle it out on the oche.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
