After miserable period, Nathan Aspinall reclaims silverware: 'I've been through rubbish but I'm getting back there'

Nathan Aspinall continued his stellar European Tour campaign by lifting the title at the 2025 European Darts Open on Sunday night. In a high-quality final in Leverkusen, ‘The Asp’ edged out Damon Heta 8–6 to claim his second Euro Tour crown of the season — making him the first player in 2025 to win multiple titles on the circuit.

Aspinall’s route to the final was anything but easy. He saw off Bradley Brooks (6–4), Ricardo Pietreczko (6–3), Chris Dobey (6–5), and Wessel Nijman (7–6) en route to Sunday’s showpiece. Heta, meanwhile, had impressed with wins over Matt Campbell (6–5) and Jonny Clayton (7–3), among others.

The final got off to a flying start, with Aspinall storming into a 2–0 lead thanks to a 13-darter followed by an 11-darter. Heta responded in kind, firing in back-to-back 12-darters to level at 2–2. From there, the match settled into a pattern of holds, with neither player able to seize control.

That deadlock was finally broken in the 11th leg, when Aspinall produced a timely break of throw to edge ahead. Heta immediately responded by breaking back, but the Australian couldn’t consolidate — and Aspinall capitalised once again to regain the lead.

With the finish line in sight, the 2023 World Matchplay champion kept his composure, eventually finding double six to seal the win and the title.

"To bounce back after the defeat on Thursday night, to come here and win this tournament, shows where my game's at at the moment," said Aspinall. "I don't make games easy but in the semi-final and final I played fantastic.

He also handed out kudos to opponent Heta. "Credit to Damon - I thought that final was absolutely fantastic, it was a great game of darts, nip and tuck. He beat me in Rosmalen in a ProTour final, so it's one-one in finals! The support I've had this weekend has been phenomenal.

The victory means more than just another trophy for Aspinall, who has also experienced difficult periods in recent years. "I've been through rubbish but I'm getting back there. If you want something you have to fight, to believe you can do it. When things are not going your way, you have to keep fighting, believing that you can get back to your best.

"That's what I do, week-in and week-out, and the last few weeks have been pretty good."