ANDERSON SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX CROWN

By Aaron Nijjar

GARY ANDERSON successfully defended his European Grand Prix crown after beating Andrew Gilding 8-0 in the final.  

Seven-time major winner Anderson thumped in a brilliant 141 checkout to break Gilding’s throw for a second time in the bout and lead 4-0 in Germany. 

Musselburgh thrower Anderson averaged 92 and hit 52 per cent of his doubles against a beleaguered Gilding who still awaits a maiden Euro Tour title. 

Following his victory Anderson joked he could now retire from the oche and heaped praise on his opponent Gilding.  

He said: “I can retire now I’m finished. It’s been good 

“I’ve known Andrew for a very long time he is a great dart player.  

“He’ll win something have a few weeks off then come back and then win something else.” 

The 54-year-old also called for fans to stop whistling and jeering at players in the arenas.  

He admitted: “I’m a very proud Scotsman and I get a lot of support in Scotland but this has outdone them.  

“This has been absolutely fantastic it has been a long time since I have got this support.  

“What I have noticed right the fans that have come to watch darts in Germany, Belgium or Austria are fantastic.  

“But what you have got to remember is these boys are up here playing darts so you have to support them all.  

“Whether you like them or don’t, show them all the respect as their up here trying to play a very hard game.  

“So next time they are up here no whistling and they will love you for it.” 

Anderson revealed he is pleased to be competing with the stars of darts in 2025.  

He added: “We’ve seen so many youngsters come through Gian, Luke Littler, Luke Humphries.   

“Even just to play darts with these boys I’m still racking myself up with it.   

“I’m just glad that I can still come and play darts with these boys that are playing now.   

“I have played for 30 years, I played with your Phil Taylors, your Eric Bristows, your Steve Beatons.  

“These youngsters are coming up and darts is in a good place.   

“We’ve got a lot of young Germans coming through and Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, Italians, French… darts is going to be fantastic in next five years.” 

Former World champion Anderson defeated Dirk van Duijvenbode 7-2 in the semi-final with a stellar 106.22 average.  

World No. 15 Anderson edged past Martin Lukeman 6-5 in the last eight. 

‘The Flying Scotsman’ smashed in SIX 180s and averaged 94.37 to overcome Rob Cross 6-3 in round three.

Anderson sealed the win with a 29-DARTER in a dramatic final leg where both players struggled to hit the outer ring. 

The tournament win will give Anderson greater flexibility in implementing a limited schedule for the rest of the year and boost his hopes of qualifying for major tournaments like the World Matchplay and the Grand Slam.

Image by Taylor Lanning.