Outsider of the tournament Ritchie Edhouse secured a major title at the European Championships in Dortmund with an 11-3 win over Jermaine Wattimena in the final.
Edhouse stormed to his first televised title with an 11-3 victory over Jermaine Wattimena.
They fulfilled their dreams on a day of incredible action in Dortmund, as two of the tournament’s lowest-paid players went head-to-head in an incredible final.
However, it was Basildon-born Edhouse who claimed the £120,000 top prize, as he scored nine consecutive legs to dispatch Wattimena and cap off a famous weekend at the Westfalenhalle.
“It’s unbelievable,” reflected ‘Madhouse’ Edhouse, who had not progressed beyond 32 television appearances before arriving in Dortmund.
“I just want to get a few wins under my belt and see what happens, 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 confident and hungry for more!”
Edhouse took center stage in his first and last match at this year’s European Championships, having started the tournament with an impressive average of 109.48 as he beat Gian van Veen 6-1.
He also overturned a 4-1 deficit to stun world number 2 Michael Smith in the second round on Saturday, before averaging nearly 104 to complete a famous 10-5 win over Gary Anderson in the last eight.
The 41-year-old continued his groundbreaking run with an 11-5 victory over Luke Woodhouse in the semi-final, and he will not be denied another surprise finalist in Wattimena.
The Dutchman made a bright start to Sunday’s show, but doubled down midway through the match, with Edhouse reeling off nine legs in a row to take the title.
Wattimena led Edhouse 3-2 at the first interval, defying back-to-back 76 and 110 combinations from England to seize the early initiative.
Edhouse refused to look back from there, however, punishing many missed opportunities in a double from Wattimena to win in resounding fashion.
Having powered in 106 checkout for a 5-3 lead, Edhouse took out 92 and 144 to go to the cusp of glory, which was sealed with another 92 checkout, pinning double brace 18s to seal in style.
Edhouse was a huge outsider at the start of the weekend
Edhouse now moves into the world’s top 32 for the first time, climbing 10 places to a career-high 29 in the PDC Order of Merit, while also securing the Grand Slam of Darts qualifiers in the process.
Wattimena also sealed a place in Wolverhampton with a sensational run to the final, after disposing of four major winners to claim the £60,000 runner-up prize.
The 36-year-old began his campaign with a whitewash win over defending champion Peter Wright on Friday, before taking out 2018 champion James Wade in a deciding thriller in round two.
Wattimena then produced a career performance in the quarter-final victory over world number 1 Luke Humphries, averaging over a ton to romp home by a scoreline of 10-4.
It set up an all-Dutch semi-final against Danny Noppert, and Wattimena held his nerve to sink the former British Open champion in the final shootout.
“I am very happy to have reached the final,” said Wattimena, who was full of praise for Edhouse after the match.
“I lost to a better player in Ritchie. On stage we were enemies, but after the match we became good friends. I have known him for a long time, so congratulations Ritchie.
“This is a big moment in my career, but there will be more. I am proud of what we have done this weekend.”
2024 Machineseeker European Championship
Sunday October 27th
Afternoon Session
Quarter Finals
Luke Woodhouse 10-4 Dirk van Duijvenbode
Ritchie Edhouse 10-5 Gary Anderson
Jermaine Wattimena 10-4 Luke Humphries
Danny Noppert 10-9 Ricardo Pietreczko
Evening Session
Semi-Finals
Ritchie Edhouse 11-5 Luke Woodhouse
Jermaine Wattimena 11-10 Danny Noppert
Finally
Ritchie Edhouse 11-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Is live darts next on Sky Sports?
Luke Humphries claimed his first Grand Slam Darts title last year
Darts live back to Sky Sports with The Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton from 9-17 November as Luke Humphries looks to defend his title with Luke Littler and Beau Greaves also in action.
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Humphries completed this 91 to beat Rob Cross 16-8 and win his first Grand Slam of Darts title.
Attention then becomes the turn of the year and 2025 PDC World Darts Championshipfrom 15 December, as the darts calendar continues to offer year-round excitement – and you can enjoy the best of it here live at Sky Sports.
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