PRICE LANDS TENTH EURO TOUR TITLE AFTER HEALTH SCARE

GERWYN PRICE admits he needed a break to fix his health after roaring back to winning ways with European Darts Grand Prix glory.

The Iceman battled past Ross Smith 8-6 in a thrilling final to clinch his TENTH European Tour crown, the second-most in history behind only Michael van Gerwen, and pocket a £35,000 top prize in Germany.

The former world champ also had to deal with a partisan crowd throughout the tournament, especially against home favourite Martin Schindler, whom he edged out 6-5 in the quarter-finals.

World No.7 Price beat Wessel Nijman 7-4 in the semi-finals by taking out a brilliant 120 checkout.

Price revealed he had been struggling physically and stepped away from the ProTour circuit to recover.

He said: “I haven’t played a ProTour or European since I lost to Wessel. I have been struggling a little bit with my health and thought I needed to take a bit of time off.

“So, this is the first thing I have played in for over a month and I needed it, as you saw in the Premier League, I was a bit rusty.

“I am full of confidence going in there now, so hopefully I can build on it.”

Price believes he has gained much-needed confidence after picking up his first trophy of the season.

He added: “I think me and Ross tried a little bit too hard in that game. We both had great tournaments.

“I was just struggling to get over the winning line. I lost in the last European Tour final that I played and a couple of big tournaments.

“Thankfully I won this one and it will give me confidence going forward. I was 3-0 up and then 4-3 down.

“Then Ross started smashing the trebles in for fun. I was like, just hang in there and hopefully I get another opportunity.

“Anytime you play someone in Germany, they are going to be against you or for the other player.

“I thought they were quite respectful when I was playing. In patches it was one or two.

“I never used to get this [reception]. But I am cherishing every moment and long may it continue.”