Alan Norris took advantage of Michael van Gerwen's shock exit at the HappyBet German Darts Championship by going on to lift the title with a 6-5 victory over Jelle Klaasen in the final.
World number one van Gerwen, who was looking for a seventh European Tour title of 2016, fought back from 5-1 down to cut the deficit to just one leg against Daryl Gurney only for his third-round opponent to hit double five for a dramatic 6-4 victory in Hildesheim.
Norris had meanwhile come from 4-1 down to beat Ian White 6-4 before a much more comfortable 6-2 triumph over Steve West in the quarter-finals.
The Englishman would next meet Mensur Suljovic, who knocked out Gurney, and held his nerve to book his place in the final thanks to a thrilling 6-5 triumph.
Jelle Klaasen was favourite to lift the title having reached the final with impressive wins over Cristo Reyes, Joe Cullen and then Dave Chisnall.
And Klaasen, who like Norris was also appearing in his first European Tour final, started in scintillating form.
The Dutchman opened with a 11 dart hold of throw before going on to break in the next leg with a 132 finish on the bull.
Klaasen then moved in to a 3-1 lead taking out 134 to open up a two leg gap.
The 31-year-old then had three chances to make it 4-1 but it was Norris who closed the gap on double 10.
The Englishman, who won his first PDC title on the Pro Tour earlier in the year, levelled the match in the eighth leg checking out 90 on tops to get back in to the match.
The pair then traded holds of throw to take the match in to a deciding leg where Norris took at 72 on double four to claim the title.
'Chuck' who was beaten in the World Championship quarter-final by Klaasen spoke highly of his opponent.
The 44-year-old told www.pdc.tv: "It's nice to get one back over Jelle after Ally Pally, but I'm sure he'll be disappointed as he's probably played the best darts this weekend.
"He's incredible, I was leaving finishes and he was taking out massive checkouts, so I'm really pleased to win this."
German Darts Championship 2016: Results
Friday October 14
Afternoon Session
First Round
Andy Boulton 3-6 Scott Taylor
Mickey Mansell 5-6 Justin Pipe
Janos Vegso 1-6 Darren Johnson
Ron Meulenkamp 6-3 Marko Puls
David Pallett 6-3 Brendan Dolan
Robbie Green 6-2 Christian Kist
Mike Holz 3-6 Eddie Dootson
Peter Hudson 6-5 Vincent van der Voort
Evening Session
First Round
Steve West 6-0 Tony West
Mark Webster 6-2 Mervyn King
Chris Dobey 2-6 Ted Evetts
Cristo Reyes 6-5 Mark Walsh
Andy Smith 6-2 Stefan Stoyke
Rowby-John Rodriguez 6-2 Kyle Anderson
Kevin Painter 6-3 Yordi Meeuwisse
Steve Hine 5-6 Robert Allenstein
Saturday October 15
Afternoon Session
Second Round
Gerwyn Price 5-6 David Pallett
Daryl Gurney 6-2 Ron Meulenkamp
Alan Norris 6-1 Scott Taylor
Simon Whitlock 1-6 Justin Pipe
Stephen Bunting 2-6 Steve West
Terry Jenkins 6-5 Andy Smith
Benito van de Pas 2-6 Cristo Reyes
Ian White 6-5 Kevin Painter
Evening Session
Second Round
Dave Chisnall 6-0 Peter Hudson
Michael Smith 3-6 Mark Webster
Joe Cullen 6-1 Robert Allenstein
Mensur Suljovic 6-1 Darren Johnson
Jelle Klaasen 6-4 Rowby-John Rodriguez
Peter Wright 6-1 EddieDootson
Michael van Gerwen 6-4 Robbie Green
Kim Huybrechts 6-4 Ted Evetts
Sunday October 16
Afternoon Session
Third Round
Dave Chisnall 6-3 Justin Pipe
Mark Webster 6-5 Terry Jenkins
Jelle Klaasen 6-2 Cristo Reyes
Peter Wright 3-6 Joe Cullen
Ian White 4-6 Alan Norris
Kim Huybrechts 5-6 Steve West
Mensur Suljovic 6-4 David Pallett
Michael van Gerwen 4-6 Daryl Gurney
Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Dave Chisnall 6-2 Mark Webster
Jelle Klaasen 6-4 Joe Cullen
Alan Norris 6-2 Steve West
Mensur Suljovic 6-4 Daryl Gurney
Semi-Finals
Dave Chisnall 4-6 Jelle Klaasen
Alan Norris 6-5 Mensur Suljovic
Final
Jelle Klaasen 5-6 Alan Norris
