Stephen Bunting Clinches Swiss Darts Trophy as Luke Humphries Falls in Afternoon Session Exit
Stephen Bunting Clinches Second European Tour Title at Swiss Darts Trophy
In an exciting display of skill and determination, Stephen Bunting has secured his second European Tour title of the year by winning the Swiss Darts Trophy held in Basel. The accomplished 40-year-old from Merseyside defeated fellow English player Luke Woodhouse with an authoritative score of 8-3 in the final, showcasing his remarkable talent on the big stage.
Bunting’s Dominant Performance at St Jakobshalle
Bunting’s victory at the renowned St Jakobshalle marked his sixth title of the current season. In a thrilling final against Woodhouse, who was making his debut appearance at this level, Bunting averaged nearly 104. After a shaky start that involved missing six darts at doubles in the opening leg, he quickly regained his focus, establishing a commanding lead of 3-1. Although Woodhouse briefly halted Bunting’s momentum by clinching a leg with a double nine, it was short-lived. Bunting rapidly responded with an impressive 11-darter, propelling him towards a well-deserved victory.
Quotes from the Champion: A Confidence Booster
Expressing his satisfaction post-match, Bunting stated, “I’m playing the best darts of my life. I feel consistently that I’m delivering. I’m so happy with this win; it means a lot.” His performance throughout the Finals Day was nothing short of remarkable, as he only dropped five legs while defeating notable opponents including Krzysztof Ratajski and Raymond van Barneveld. In a thrilling semi-final, Bunting survived a match dart from Gian van Veen after fighting back from a 4-0 deficit to triumph 7-6.
Bunting’s Consistency and Future Aspirations
Ranked as the world No. 4, Bunting acknowledged the hard work that led to his current standing. He remarked, “The rankings reflect several years of consistency, but you can’t take anything for granted in this game. There are many talented players out there. To be in the top four is an unbelievable achievement.” He credits his relentless dedication to practice as essential for maintaining his top-tier status.
Highlights from Finals Day: Key Match Results
Sunday’s competition featured several notable matches, particularly in the afternoon session:
- Ryan Searle 6-4 Luke Humphries
- Luke Woodhouse 6-2 Jermaine Wattimena
- Jonny Clayton 6-3 Martin Schindler
- Cor Dekker 6-5 Chris Dobey
- Stephen Bunting 6-3 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Raymond van Barneveld 6-0 Ritchie Edhouse
- Gian van Veen 6-2 Ryan Joyce
- Rob Cross 6-5 Danny Noppert
In the evening session, the quarter-finals saw:
- Luke Woodhouse 6-5 Ryan Searle
- Cor Dekker 6-5 Jonny Clayton
- Stephen Bunting 6-2 Raymond van Barneveld
- Gian van Veen 6-2 Rob Cross
The semi-finals concluded with:
- Luke Woodhouse 7-3 Cor Dekker
- Stephen Bunting 7-6 Gian van Veen
Upcoming Darts Events: BoyleSports World Grand Prix 2025
Looking ahead, the highly anticipated 2025 BoyleSports World Grand Prix will take place from October 6-12 at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester. Featuring 32 of the world’s top darts players, the tournament promises to be one of the sport’s biggest events. High-profile competitors, including Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries, along with defending champion Mike De Decker, are expected to make their mark at this prestigious competition. Fans can catch all the action on El-Balad or through Sky Sports, the premier destination for darts enthusiasts.
