“Turn up to darts thinking nothing else could possibly go wrong…”: Gerwyn Price details nightmare trip prior to European Championship exit
Gerwyn Price’s Nightmare Trip to the European Championship: “Turn Up Thinking Nothing Else Could Go Wrong”
Gerwyn Price, the fiery Welsh no. 3 and 2021 World Grand Prix champion, arrived at the 2025 Machineseeker European Darts Championship in Dortmund with high hopes but endured a “nightmare” journey that tested his patience before his first-round exit to Daryl Gurney. In a candid post-match interview with Sky Sports after the 6-4 loss on October 23, Price detailed the ordeal, joking, “Turn up to darts thinking nothing else could possibly go wrong… then the whole trip turns into a disaster.” The “Iceman,” who led 3-1 but lost four of the last five legs to Gurney, opened up about a cancelled flight, lost luggage, and a chaotic hotel arrival that left him “fuming” and questioning his welcome to the tournament.
The Nightmare Welcome: Flight Chaos and Lost Luggage
Price’s troubles began when his flight from Cardiff to Düsseldorf was cancelled on October 22, forcing a frantic rebooking that delayed his arrival until late evening. “I get off the plane, and my bag’s not there—lost luggage, no clean clothes, nothing,” he told Sky Sports. The 40-year-old, who had packed his custom Winmau darts and kit, was left scrambling at the airport, eventually retrieving his case at 2 a.m. after a two-hour wait. “I’m standing there in jeans and a hoodie, looking like a tramp, while everyone’s got their gear. It’s Dortmund—cold, rainy—and I’m thinking, ‘This is my welcome?'”
The ordeal continued at his hotel, where a booking mix-up led to a “dodgy room” with no heating and a broken shower. “Turn up to darts thinking nothing else could possibly go wrong… then the whole trip turns into a disaster,” Price quipped, his signature sarcasm shining through. “I get to bed at 3 a.m., up at 8 a.m. for practice—I’m fuming, but you laugh it off or it eats you.” Price, who has 5 European Tour wins, arrived “on edge,” but the travel woes fueled his fire against Gurney, a 2024 World Cup partner.
#### The Match: Price’s 6-4 Lead Slips Away
Price, no. 3 seed, faced Gurney (no. 30) in a rematch of their 2024 World Matchplay (Price won 10-8). He led 3-1 with a 140 checkout, but Gurney won four of the next five legs, including a 121 on D20 for 5-4, and sealed 6-4 with a 96 on D20. Price averaged 94.5 to Gurney’s 96.2, hitting 4 180s to 3, but missed 6 doubles to Gurney’s 4. “Daryl’s a warrior—fair play,” Price said, but admitted the trip “messed with my head.”
Gurney, 2024 World Cup co-winner with Price, advanced to face Price’s fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton in R2. “Gerwyn’s the toughest opponent—respect,” Gurney said.
Price’s 2025: Grit Amid Glitches
Price’s year: 2 Euro Tour titles (£128k), but injuries (elbow in July) and form dips (Worlds R3 to Humphries) dropped him to no. 25 Order of Merit (£120k). His Euro Championship exit (no. 3 seed) ends a frustrating run, but he eyes Minehead (£600k, November 21-23). “Trip was a nightmare, but that’s darts—adapt or lose,” he added.
Fans on X under #PriceNightmare: “Gerwyn’s travel hell? Iceman’s too tough—fair play to Gurney.” (100k likes). Mardle: “Price’s grit shines—nightmare trip, still competitive.”
Price’s “nothing else could go wrong” quip? Darts’ dark humor. The Iceman’s thawed, but his fire’s far from out—Minehead calls.
