Gary Anderson finally broke Ross Smith's stubborn resistance to lift the the NEO.bet European Darts Grand Prix title in a thrilling final.
The 53-year-old Scot, who last tasted European Tour success more than a decade ago, secured an 8-6 victory over his English opponent at the Glaspalast in Sindelfingen, but not without being made to fight for it.
Anderson, ranked 24 in the world, landed a 121-finish to take a 7-6 lead against the throw before closing out victory in the next leg as Smith squandered a huge lead by repeatedly missing doubles to claim his first tour crown since February 2014.
Speaking on stage after the presentation, he said: "I was just talking to Ross – my last three games, I’ve been so lucky. I’ve never been so lucky in my life playing darts.
"I was playing well, get beat or play rubbish and get beat, but I don’t know how I won it tonight, to be honest. I’ve been so lucky, so lucky."
For Smith, who led 4-3 and 6-5, it proved a disappointing conclusion to a remarkable day during which he survived 10 match darts, three of them in the final leg of his 7-6 semi-final victory over Michael van Gerwen.
With the match finely poised at 6-6 after the Dutchman had finished on 125, he bust on double four and then missed double 18 twice to hand his opponent, who had trailed 5-2, the opportunity to clinch a place in the final.
Anderson had dispensed with world number five Gerwyn Price 6-4 in the last 16 and then accounted for Josh Rock, who had hit a 170 check-out during his 6-5 win over number three Michael Smith, in the quarter-finals in the deciding leg before beating Rob Cross 6-5 to reach the final.
Smith reached the last eight by beating Ritchie Edhouse for the first time and then edged Damon Heta 6-5 to set up his showdown with Van Gerwen.
Earlier, world champion Luke Humphries succumbed 6-2 to reigning champion Cross in the quarter-finals.
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