In a weekend of upsets at the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest, German qualifier Niko Springer etched his name into PDC history by claiming his maiden European Tour title, defeating Danny Noppert 8-5 in the final at the MVM Dome. The 24-year-old’s remarkable run—knocking out Damon Heta (6-1), Luke Humphries (6-4), Rob Cross (6-3), and Josh Rock (7-6) in a last-leg decider—has catapulted him up the PDC Order of Merit, while world champion Luke Littler solidified his lead over Nathan Aspinall in the two-year rankings. Littler’s semi-final exit (7-4 to Noppert) denied him a fourth Euro Tour crown of 2025, but his £5,000 runner-up cheque keeps him £15,000 clear of Aspinall, who crashed out in the second round to Humphries (6-4). As the World Grand Prix looms, Springer’s surge signals a new wave of German talent in darts.
Springer’s Fairy-Tale Run: From Qualifier to Champion
Springer, ranked No. 78 entering the event as a Tour Card qualifier, became the fourth German to win a European Tour title (after Max Hopp, Martin Schindler, and Ricardo Pietreczko), banking £30,000 and jumping approximately 40 spots to No. 38 on the Order of Merit. His path was a masterclass in opportunism:
– **Round 1**: 6-3 over Gian van Veen (last year’s runner-up), averaging 96.2 with 50% on doubles.
– **Round 2**: 6-1 demolition of Damon Heta, hitting six 180s in a 102.4 average blitz.
– **Round 3**: 6-3 upset of world No. 1 Humphries, capitalizing on the Cool Hand’s 8/18 checkout woes.
– **Quarter-Final**: 6-3 over Rob Cross, the UK Open champ, with a 98.7 average and 7 maximums.
– **Semi-Final**: 7-6 thriller vs. Josh Rock, sealing it on double 4 after trailing 5-4.
– **Final**: 8-5 over Noppert, who had stunned defending champion Michael van Gerwen (6-5) and Littler earlier. Springer’s 97.3 average and 9/13 on doubles edged Noppert’s 95.1, with a 121 checkout proving decisive.
Post-match, Springer beamed: “This is unreal—beating Humphries and Rock? Dream stuff. Germany’s on the rise!” His win, the biggest of his career, earns automatic seeding for the World Grand Prix and boosts his spot in the Players Championship Order of Merit for Q-School exemptions.
Littler Edges Aspinall: The Order of Merit Battle Heats Up
Littler’s Budapest campaign ended in semi-final heartbreak—leading 3-1 against Noppert before missing 11 doubles (35% success rate) in a 7-4 loss—but the £5,000 payout extends his lead over Aspinall in the PDC Order of Merit (two-year rolling rankings). Aspinall, who whitewashed qualifier Levente Sarai 6-0 in Round 1, fell 6-4 to Humphries in Round 2, earning just £2,500 and slipping further behind.
Updated PDC Order of Merit (Top 10, Post-Hungarian Darts Trophy)
| Rank | Player | Points (£) | Change | Key Budapest Result |
|——|——–|————|——–|———————|
| 1 | Luke Littler (ENG) | 1,285,000 | +5,000 | Semi-Final (Lost to Noppert) |
| 2 | Nathan Aspinall (ENG) | 1,270,000 | +2,500 | Round 2 (Lost to Humphries) |
| 3 | Luke Humphries (ENG) | 1,150,000 | +4,000 | Quarter-Final (Lost to Springer) |
| 4 | Michael van Gerwen (NED) | 1,080,000 | +2,500 | Round 3 (Lost to Noppert) |
| 5 | Gerwyn Price (WAL) | 950,000 | Withdrew (Medical) | – |
| 6 | Rob Cross (ENG) | 920,000 | +2,500 | Quarter-Final (Lost to Springer) |
| 7 | Josh Rock (NIR) | 880,000 | +8,000 | Semi-Final (Lost to Springer) |
| 8 | Chris Dobey (ENG) | 850,000 | +2,500 | Round 3 (Lost to Noppert) |
| 9 | James Wade (ENG) | 820,000 | +4,000 | Round 3 (Lost to Rock) |
| 10 | Stephen Bunting (WAL) | 810,000 | +2,500 | Round 2 (Lost to Tricole) |
**Notes**: Points reflect two-year totals; Littler’s gap over Aspinall widens to £15,000, pressuring the Stockport thrower ahead of the World Grand Prix (October 6-12, Leicester). Aspinall, a former world No. 1, cited “elbow niggles” post-loss, while Littler quipped on Instagram: “Doubles dodged me today—next time! Congrats Niko, what a story.”
Tournament Recap: Upsets Galore in Budapest
The £175,000 event delivered drama from the off:
– **Gerwyn Price’s Withdrawal**: The No. 4 seed pulled out pre-quarter-final due to medical issues (hand infection flare-up), gifting Littler a bye.
– **Van Gerwen’s Early Exit**: Defending champ fell 6-5 to Noppert in Round 3, his first Euro Tour loss since 2023.
– **Humphries’ Shock**: World No. 1 ousted 6-4 by Springer, ending his title defense bid.
– **Noppert’s Surge**: The Dutchman, ranked No. 12, toppled van Gerwen and Littler before fading in the final.
Springer pockets £30,000, Noppert £12,000, and semi-finalists Rock and Littler £8,000 each. Attendance hit a record 12,000 across three days, with Hungarian fans roaring for local hero Levente Sarai (whitewashed 6-0 by Aspinall).
What’s Next: World Grand Prix Spotlight
With the Swiss Darts Trophy (September 26-28, Basel) on deck, eyes turn to the World Grand Prix—doubles format, £500,000 pot, October 6-12. Littler (unseeded but favored) eyes a first double-in crown, while Aspinall defends his 2023 title. Springer’s rise earns him a debut spot, potentially facing Humphries early.
Littler’s lead over Aspinall intensifies the no. 2 battle, with Taylor’s recent “frightened” warning to the teen adding intrigue for Ally Pally. As Springer surges, darts’ depth shines—proving the oche rewards the bold.
