The European Tour gained a new name on its Roll of Honour after Niko Springer sensationally lifted the 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy, edging out Danny Noppert in a last-leg nail-biter.
Not bad for a German youngster whose PDC senior career only officially began this season after gaining professional status through last year’s Development Tour. Most people use their rookie year to find their feet – Springer decided to win a trophy. Fair play.
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Meenzer Bub as he is affectionately, known, started the afternoon by brushing aside former World Champion Rob Cross 6-3, looking completely unbothered by the whole occasion. Then came the real eye-opener: a clash with Luke Humphries, the world number one and another Ally Pally winner. The pair fired in ten maximums between them, treating the treble 20 like a dartboard-sized magnet, but the difference came in the important bit that makes the difference – hitting doubles. Springer did it better. Cue upset.
Next came a semi-final showdown with Josh Rock – another member of the mid 20 somethings who score like lunatics club. They pushed the maximum count up to twelve and threw some outrageous stuff, but once again Springer’s cool finishing meant Rocky got rocked. Another last-leg decider, another win for the kid who apparently doesn’t believe in stage fright.
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Meanwhile, Danny Noppert was navigating his way through the other half of the draw with all the grace of a man edging through a crowded pub with three pints in his hands. He squeaked past Michael van Gerwen in a last-leg shootout, handled Chris Dobey, then sort of stumbled his way beyond Luke Littler. To be fair, Littler had been handed a freebie when Gerwyn Price withdrew on medical grounds, but his semi-final against Noppert was anything but – the Dutchman held his nerve, just about, to reach the final.
So, two players chasing maiden Euro glory. The averages in the final weren’t spectacular – neither looked entirely sure whether to throw darts or chew them – but the tension more than made up for it. And when it mattered most, Springer unleashed one last burst of composure, smashing in a dominant final leg on throw to lift the title.
NIKO NAILS NOPPERT: Springer wins his first ever European Tour title
The 2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy champion: Niko Springer. The way he’s playing, it probably won’t be the last time his name is on a shiny bit of PDC silverware.
2025 Hungarian Darts Trophy
Sunday September 21
Round Three
Afternoon Session
Chris Dobey 6-5 Cameron Menzies
Danny Noppert 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Gerwyn Price 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
Luke Littler 6-2 Martin Schindler
James Wade 6-2 Kim Huybrechts
Josh Rock 6-3 Thibault Tricole
Niko Springer 6-3 Rob Cross
Luke Humphries 6-1 Mike De Decker
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Danny Noppert 6-2 Chris Dobey
Luke Littler Bye (Gerwyn Price withdrawn due to medical reasons)
Josh Rock 6-2 James Wade
Niko Springer 6-4 Luke Humphries
Semi-Finals
Danny Noppert 7-3 Luke Littler
Niko Springer 7-6 Josh Rock
Final
Niko Springer 8-7 Danny Noppert
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