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Darts results: Jose De Sousa's accidental double-double finish to beat Michael van Gerwen in European Darts Grand Prix final
Jose De Sousa capped a spectacular performance with accidental double-double finish to beat Michael van Gerwen in the European Darts Grand Prix final.
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The Portuguese star averaged a sparkling 105.79 compared to the world number one's 92.43 in a surprisingly one-sided final but it was the manner of his final checkout that raised eyebrows.
With 88 remaining, De Sousa hit treble eight when aiming at the equivalent 16 bed, which would have left tops, and then hit double 14 followed by double 18 to complete a remarkable triumph.
😲🏆 What a remarkable way to win a maiden European Tour title against Michael van Gerwen.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) October 18, 2020
🤣 Watch how Jose De Sousa takes out a match-winning 88!pic.twitter.com/w7PpEEmYqR
The 46-year-old had produced a brilliant 146 checkout in the previous leg while he also fired in seven of the eight 180s in the match and also pinned eight of his 13 attempts at doubles, while MVG missed just one of his five.
ONE AWAY!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 18, 2020
WOW! Incredible scenes in Germany as Jose De Sousa fires in a huge 146 finish to extend his lead to 7-4 and he's one away from the title! pic.twitter.com/qbUuX5SWwg
De Sousa can now celebrate his third title since earning his PDC Tour Card as recently as January 2019 - with both of his previous success coming last season - although this is his first on the European Tour, which earns him the biggest cheque of his career of £25,000.
It was also his second triumph over van Gerwen in just over a month - having managed it for the first time at the third attempt at the Autumn Series - but more importantly it avenges the defeat he suffered at the hands of the Dutchman in a Summer Series final back in July.
Featuring in just his third ever European Tour event, the 'Special One' whitewashed Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko to begin his Sindelfingen challenge on Saturday before underlining his title credentials with a fine 6-3 third round defeat of Gerwyn Price during Sunday afternoon's session.
He followed that with a 98 average in a 6-4 quarter-final defeat of Darius Labanauskas, but had to survive one match dart against Ian White in an epic last four showdown.
Diamond produced stunning checkouts of 126, 120 and 118 as he moved 6-5 up, only to spurn an attempt at double 16 for the match and that was punished by De Sousa before he raced away with an 11-dart leg in the decider.
Van Gerwen, who was eyeing a 33rd European Tour title of his career, was favourite to bounce back from his World Grand Prix disappointment but he'd previously had to survive missed match darts from both Vincent van der Voort and Nathan Aspinall on earlier in the day.
He looked to have put that behind him with a 170 checkout en route to a 7-1 victory over Mensur Suljovic in the semi-finals but he was a clear second best against De Sousa.
170 CHECKOUT! 🔥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) October 18, 2020
A THIRD 170 finish this weekend as Michael van Gerwen kicks off this semi-final with a BANG, reeling in the big fish in the opening leg! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/KnvnXXQBZd
De Sousa told www.pdc.tv: "It can't describe my feelings because it's unbelievable. I'm really emotional. Every title I win, it's a dream because it's so difficult, but this is my biggest title and I'm very, very happy.
"I thank the crowd, they were wonderful and this title is for me and all of them. I want to share it with them and all the people who support me; my management and my family.
"I can do anything right now, that's what I think. It doesn't matter who I play against, I just play my game. I know that I can do it and I have so much confidence in my game."
European Darts Grand Prix: Tournament results
Friday October 16
First Round (Best of 11 legs)
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
- Maik Kuivenhoven 6-4 Jonathan Worsley
- Mervyn King 6-5 Mindaugas Barauskas
- Ricardo Pietreczko 6-1 Luke Woodhouse
- David Evans 6-3 Kai Gotthardt
- Scott Waites 6-5 Jason Lowe
- Nico Kurz 6-5 Stefan Bellmont
- Darius Labanauskas 6-4 Michael Unterbuchner
- Devon Petersen 6-1 Harry Ward
Evening Session (6.00pm BST)
- Kim Huybrechts 6-2 John Henderson
- Max Hopp 6-4 Pero Ljubic
- Derk Telnekes 6-3 Robert Marijanovic
- Steve Lennon 6-3 Madars Razma
- Martijn Kleermaker 6-3 Markus Buffler
- Adam Hunt 6-1 Damon Heta
- Gabriel Clemens 6-3 Steffen Siepmann
- William O'Connor 6-3 Chris Dobey
Saturday October 17
Second Round (Best of 11 legs)
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
- Maik Kuivenhoven 6-5 Daryl Gurney
- Ian White 6-2 Scott Waites
- Michael Smith 6-0 Derk Telnekes
- Glen Durrant 6-3 Nico Kurz
- Jose De Sousa 6-0 Ricardo Pietreczko
- Darius Labanauskas 6-3 Dave Chisnall
- Joe Cullen 6-3 Kim Huybrechts
- Jamie Hughes 6-5 Steve Lennon
Evening Session (6.00pm BST)
- Martijn Kleermaker 6-2 Krzysztof Ratajski
- Rob Cross 6-5 Adam Hunt
- James Wade 6-4 Gabriel Clemens
- Gerwyn Price 6-2 Devon Petersen
- Mensur Suljovic 6-3 David Evans
- Michael van Gerwen 6-1 Mervyn King
- Nathan Aspinall 6-1 William O'Connor
- Vincent van der Voort 6-4 Max Hopp
Sunday October 18
Afternoon Session (12pm BST)
Third Round (Best of 11 legs)
- Maik Kuivenhoven 6-3 Glen Durrant
- Ian White 6-2 Michael Smith
- Darius Labanauskas 6-2 Joe Cullen
- Gerwyn Price 3-6 Jose De Sousa
- Mensur Suljovic 6-5 Jamie Hughes
- Martijn Kleermaker 1-6 Rob Cross
- James Wade 2-6 Nathan Aspinall
- Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
Evening Session (6.00pm BST)
Quarter-finals (Best of 11 legs)
- Maik Kuivenhoven 4-6 Ian White
- Darius Labanauskas 4-6 Jose De Sousa
- Mensur Suljovic 6-0 Rob Cross
- Nathan Aspinall 5-6 Michael van Gerwen
Semi-Finals (Best of 13 legs)
- Ian White 6-7 Jose De Sousa
- Mensur Suljovic 1-7 Michael van Gerwen
Final (Best of 15 legs)
- Jose De Sousa 8-4 Michael van Gerwen