It was another brilliant performance from Philip Taylor, as he claimed a 4th consecutive European Championship crown.
It was a fantastic final in Dusseldorf, but Taylor was on another darting planet….and he has won two huge TV tournaments in the space of seven days, with this victory following on from his World Matchplay triumph in Blackpool.
It is fair to say that ‘The Power’ has been restored to the world of darts!
“It means so much to me because it has been a difficult year,” Taylor said. “To win this – backing up from the Matchplay – is a great achievement.”
“I wouldn’t say that I am back to my best but I am getting there!” he added.
Taylor is approaching his 51st birthday and will now celebrate his double success with his grandchildren at his villa in Tenerife!
Lewis’ consolation in his last appearance in Unicorn colours was a sensational 9 darter in his epic semi-final victory over Raymond van Barneveld.
But you have to spare a thought for Barney….he fought back brilliantly from 3-7 down and it looked like he would snatch a famous win.
Lewis’ amazing 9-darter came in the 17th leg and he missed a dart at ‘tops’ in the next to win the match 11-7….the Dutchman kept chipping away and got it back to 10-9 before Lewis missed six more match darts and Barney levelled the semi-final.
It was heartbreaking for Barneveld though, because he left himself on D12, only to see Lewis produce more heroics with that 121 finish on the bull to win the most dramatic of matches.
Lewis couldn’t quite hit those heights in the final, as Taylor showed tremendous stamina to take the title.
He had easily beaten Simon Whitlock 11-4 in the semi-finals, and still looked fresh….but he looked in the mood. You always had the feeling that Lewis would have to produce something extra special.
The World Champion opened the final in style with a 121 finish and went 2-0 up before Taylor clicked….a 122 check-out got him into the final and he won four legs out of five to move ahead 5-4.
Incredibly the next eight legs all went with throw and you have to give Lewis credit because he was always playing catch-up!
In the 11th leg, Taylor hit a fourth maximum and a 121 finish and the 180s kept coming but he couldn’t shake Lewis off.
Leading 8-7, he was averaging 110 – a full ten points ahead of his opponent! But leading 9-8, he produced a moment a magic….a Phil Taylor special….a 164 finish on the bull to break the Lewis throw and it broke the Lewis challenge as he went 10-8 up and that was that.
It was something we have seen Taylor do so many times in his career but it was a fabulous shot and D10 clinched the European crown in the next leg.
Only five men have ever beaten Phil Taylor in the final of TV ‘Majors’ and Adrian Lewis came close, but not close enough.
Taylor wasn’t to be denied….a special moment and a fitting finale to what has been a fantastic tournament in Germany for the Unicorn star.
“I also want to thank Paul Nicholson!” Taylor said. “His words have inspired me at Blackpool and in Germany and I look forward to many more battles with him.”
Lewis was disappointed. “He played some incredible darts to be fair. I did all I can but after such a long day, I don’t know where that 109 average came from! But all credit to Phil.”
So Phil Taylor has done it again…..some great games over four brilliant days, but the World No.1 still has what it takes!
Results – Final:
Phil Taylor 11-8 Adrian Lewis
Winner - £50,000
Runner-up - £20,000
Semi-Finals:
Adrian Lewis 11-10 Raymond van Barneveld
Phil Taylor 11-4 Simon Whitlock
Losers - £10,000
Quarter-Finals:
Adrian Lewis 10-8 Kim Huybrechts
Raymond van Barneveld 10-8 James Wade
Phil Taylor 10-7 Paul Nicholson
Simon Whitlock 10-6 Peter Wright
Losers - £7,500
By STUART PYKE at the Maritim Hotel, Dusseldorf
Photos courtesy Chris Sargeant