Gary Anderson secures first European Tour win in over 10 years with European Darts Grand Prix triumph in Sindelfingen

Gary Anderson after beating Luke Humphries (not in picture) during day fourteen of the William Hill World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, London.

Gary Anderson finally broke Ross Smith’s stubborn resistance to lift the the NEO.bet European Darts Grand Prix title in a thrilling final.

The 53-year-old Scot, who last tasted European Tour success more than a decade ago, secured an 8-6 victory over his English opponent at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen, but not without being made to fight for it.

Anderson, ranked 24 in the world, landed a 121-finish to take a 7-6 lead against the throw before closing out victory in the next leg as Smith squandered a huge lead by repeatedly missing doubles to claim his first tour crown since February 2014.

Speaking on stage after the presentation, he said: “I was just talking to Ross – my last three games, I’ve been so lucky. I’ve never been so lucky in my life playing darts.

“I was playing well, get beat or play rubbish and get beat, but I don’t know how I won it tonight, to be honest. I’ve been so lucky, so lucky.”

For Smith, who led 4-3 and 6-5, it proved a disappointing conclusion to a remarkable day during which he survived 10 match darts, three of them in the final leg of his 7-6 semi-final victory over Michael van Gerwen.

With the match finely poised at 6-6 after the Dutchman had finished on 125, he bust on double four and then missed double 18 twice to hand his opponent, who had trailed 5-2, the opportunity to clinch a place in the final.

Anderson had dispensed with world number five Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the last 16 and then accounted for Josh Rock, who had hit a 170 check-out during his 6-5 win over number three Michael Smith, in the quarter-finals in the deciding leg before beating Rob Cross 6-5 to reach the final.

Smith reached the last eight by beating Ritchie Edhouse for the first time and then edged Damon Heta 6-5 to set up his showdown with Van Gerwen.

Earlier, world champion Luke Humphries succumbed 6-2 to reigning champion Cross in the quarter-finals.