James Wade ended a decade-long wait for a European Tour title as he beat Ross Smith 8-4 in the final of the Flanders Darts Trophy. The 43-year-old, who last tasted continental glory at the European Darts Matchplay in Hamburg in 2016, produced a 95.50 average and five 180s in the final in Antwerp on Sunday evening. Earlier in the day he'd beaten Damon Heta 7-4 in the semi-final, having whitewashed Danny Noppert 6-0 in the quarter-finals and edging Rob Cross 6-5 in the last 16.
"Some weeks it's good, sometimes it's bad. That's how it is for me," he said after claiming the £35,000 prize money. "If it was good all the time, I'd smash them all to bits.
We can't always select how we feel." Wade played in the first European Tour final in Austria in 2012 and this win means he was victorious in the 150th event. Smith, who won the Hungarian Darts Trophy two weeks ago, beat Gian van Veen, Ryan Joyce and Gerwyn Price in last-leg deciders earlier on Sunday. "I rode my luck today and the players have let me off, but Wadey, doesn't let you off ever," Smith said.
I watch his game and I can only admire the guy. "James thoroughly deserved the win today. He's just-he's absolutely class, isn't he?" The European Tour returns at the Swiss Darts Trophy in Basel, Switzerland from October 9-11.
Sunday September 13Evening SessionFinalJames Wade 8-4 Ross Smith Semi-FinalsRoss Smith 7-6 Gian van VeenJames Wade 7-4 Damon Heta Quarter-FinalsGian van Veen 6-3 Chris DobeyRoss Smith 6-5 Ryan JoyceJames Wade 6-0 Danny NoppertDamon Heta 6-5 Nathan Aspinall Afternoon SessionRound ThreeGian van Veen 6-5 Kevin DoetsChris Dobey 6-5 Ryan SearleRyan Joyce 6-5 Jermaine WattimenaRoss Smith 6-5 Gerwyn PriceJames Wade 6-5 Rob CrossDanny Noppert 6-4 Wessel NijmanDamon Heta 6-3 Luke WoodhouseNathan Aspinall 6-4 Stephen Bunting The 32-player field for the the 2026 BOYLE Sports World Grand Prix in Leicester has been confirmed following the conclusion of this weekend's event in Belgium. Defending champion Luke Littler is among the names battling for a newly-boosted £150,000 top prize in Leicester from September 28 to October 4 with every session live on Sky Sports. The draw for the event will be made on Monday September 14.
Top 16 from the PDC rankings (seeded for round one draw)1. Nathan Aspinall Qualifiers from ProTour RankingsLuke WoodhouseKevin DoetsJermaine WattimenaKrzysztof RatajskiAndrew GildingWilliam O'ConnorDamon HetaRob CrossRyan JoyceDirk van DuijvenbodeNiels ZonneveldCameron MenziesNiko SpringerDave ChisnallSebastian BialeckiJoe Cullen Sky Sports remains the home of darts with the World Grand Prix (September 28-October 4), Grand Slam of Darts (November 14-22) and World Darts Championship (December 10-January 3) all live. Stream darts and more through NOW with no contract.
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