Ritchie Edhouse claimed his first-ever televised title with an impressive 11-3 victory over Jermaine Wattimena in the Machineseeker European Championship final. Edhouse’s dominant performance capped a remarkable weekend in Dortmund, where he surged through the tournament, defeating the likes of Michael Smith, Gary Anderson, and Luke Woodhouse to reach the final. After a tight start, Edhouse capitalized on missed opportunities from Wattimena, reeling off nine consecutive legs to seal the title. His performance included several superb combination finishes, with a 92 checkout securing the win in style. Edhouse’s victory elevates him to a career-high ranking of 29th on the PDC Order of Merit and qualifies him for the Mr Vegas Grand Slam of Darts.
Despite the loss, Wattimena’s run to the final was historic, as he defeated multiple TV title winners, including reigning champion Peter Wright and world number one Luke Humphries. His journey was capped by a tense 11-10 victory over Danny Noppert in the semi-finals. Wattimena, who praised Edhouse post-match, reached a career milestone with his first European Championship final appearance. The final’s unexpected conclusion showcased the dominance of lower-ranked players, with Edhouse and Wattimena securing spots at the Grand Slam of Darts, a testament to their remarkable performances throughout the tournament.
Source: PDCTV
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