Tournament pro Richie Edhaus secured his first major title at the European Championships in Dortmund with an 11-3 defeat of Jermaine Vattimena in the final.
Edhaus won his first televised title with a crushing 11-3 victory over Jermaine Wattimena.
He fulfilled his dreams on a day of extraordinary action in Dortmund as the tournament’s two lowest-ranked players went head-to-head in a remarkable final.
However, it was Basildon-born Edhaus who claimed the £120,000 top prize as he reeled off nine straight legs to dispatch Vattimena and close out a popular weekend in Westphalenhall.
“It’s unbelievable,” reflected “Madhouse” Edhaus, who had not progressed from the last 32 of the televised event before arriving in Dortmund.
“I just wanted to get a few wins and see what happened, so this is a dream come true.
“I think this could be a stepping stone for me because confidence breeds confidence and now I’m really confident and hungry for more.”
Edhaus took center stage in the first and final match of this year’s European Championships, starting the tournament with a stunning average of 109.48 in a 6-1 thrashing of Gian van Wien.
He also came from 4-1 down to stun world No.2 Michael Smith in Saturday’s second round before averaging almost 104 to complete a famous 10-5 victory over Gary Anderson in the last eight.
The 41-year-old continued his breakthrough run with an 11-5 semi-final win against Luke Woodhouse and was not to be denied against another surprise final in Watimena.
The Dutchman made a bright start to Sunday’s showdown, but his double was unsolved midway through the match and Edhaus rattled off nine straight legs to claim the title.
Vattimena led Edhaus 3-2 at the first break, countering the Englishman’s 76 and 110 combinations to seize the early initiative.
Edhaus refused to look back from there, however, punishing numerous missed chances with a double from Vatimena to prevail in resounding fashion.
Putting together a 106 to take a 5-3 lead, Edhaus reeled off 92s and 144s to move to the pinnacle of glory, which he sealed with another 92, nailing a brace of double 18s to seal it in style.
Edhaus was a huge supporter at the start of the weekend
Edhaus now moves into the world’s top 32 for the first time, climbing 10 places to a career-high 29th on the PDC Medal of Merit, while securing qualification for the Grand Slam of Darts in the process.
Vattimena also sealed his place in Wolverhampton with a sensational run to the final, edging out four major winners to pocket the £60,000 runner-up prize.
The 36-year-old began his campaign with a win over defending champion Peter Wright on Friday before taking on 2018 winner James Wade in a second-round deciding thriller.
Vattimena then produced the undoubted performance of his career in a quarter-final win against world No.1 Luke Humphreys, averaging a ton to cruise home 10-4.
This set up an all-Dutch semi-final clash against Danny Knoppert, and Vattimena held his nerve to sink the former UK Open champion in another thrilling final match.
“I’m really happy to be in the final,” said Vattimena, who was full of post-match praise for Edhaus.
“I lost to a better player in Richie. On stage we are enemies, but after the game we are good friends. I’ve known him for a long time, so congratulations to Richie.
“This is a big moment in my career, but there is more to come. I’m proud of what I did this weekend.”
2024 European Championship of car seekers
Sunday October 27
Afternoon session
Quarter finals
Luke Woodhouse 10-4 Dirk van Duyvenbode
Richie Edhouse 10-5 Gary Anderson
Jermaine Watimena 10-4 Luke Humphreys
Danny Noppert 10-9 Riccardo Pietrecko
Evening session
Semi-finals
Ritchie Edhouse 11-5 Luke Woodhouse
Jermaine Watimena 11-10 Danny Noppert
Final:
Ritchie Edhouse 11-3 Jermaine Wattimena
What live darts is next on Sky Sports?
Last year, Luke Humphreys won his first Grand Slam title
Live darts are back! Sky Sports with Grand Slam Darts November 9-17 at Wolverhampton as Luke Humphries looks to defend his title with Luke Littler and Bo Greaves also in action.
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Humphries defeated Rob Cross 16-8 to win his first Grand Slam darts title.
The focus then turns to the anniversary and 2025 PDC World Darts ChampionshipStarting on December 15, as the darts calendar continues to excite throughout the year, you can enjoy the best here live. Sky Sports.
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