In the electrifying atmosphere of Copenhagen’s Forum Copenhagen, Stephen Bunting, affectionately known as “The Bullet,” stormed to victory at the 2025 Nordic Darts Masters, securing his second World Series title of the year. The tournament, held over two thrilling days on June 6-7, saw Bunting defeat Rob Cross 8-4 in a gripping final, capping a remarkable run in the third World Series event of 2025. The event also featured standout performances from darts superstars Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and defending champion Gerwyn Price, though none could match Bunting’s precision and resilience.
Bunting’s journey to the title began with a confident 6-3 win over Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak in the first round. His momentum carried into the quarter-finals, where he dispatched Jonny Clayton with another 6-3 victory. The semi-final against Nathan Aspinall tested Bunting’s mettle. After surging to a commanding 6-1 lead, he faced a spirited comeback from Aspinall, who clawed back to 6-5. Undeterred, Bunting held his nerve, clinching a 7-5 win to reach the final. “I’m really proud to get back into the winner’s circle,” Bunting reflected after his triumph, his voice brimming with emotion. “I love coming to Copenhagen, the crowd have been fantastic, and hopefully I can be involved in the World Series for a few years yet.”
In the final, Bunting faced Rob Cross, a formidable opponent seeking to claim the Nordic Darts Masters crown after finishing as runner-up in 2024. Cross had been in scintillating form, whitewashing Chris Dobey 6-0 in the quarter-finals and overpowering Gerwyn Price 7-4 in the semi-finals. However, Bunting seized control early, breaking Cross’s throw with a clinical 104 checkout to lead 5-3. From there, he rattled off five consecutive legs, sealing the victory with a pinpoint double eight. Cross, gracious in defeat, acknowledged Bunting’s brilliance: “It wasn’t meant to be for me. I probably ran out of a little bit of steam, but credit to Stephen. He was brilliant.”
The tournament was not without its surprises. World No. 1 Luke Humphries, fresh off his Premier League triumph, fell in the quarter-finals to Gerwyn Price, who delivered a tournament-record average of 108 in a 6-3 rout. Price, the defending champion, had hoped to become the first player to retain the Nordic Darts Masters title but was halted by Cross in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, reigning world champion Luke Littler, a crowd favorite, was ousted in the quarter-finals by Nathan Aspinall, who secured a 6-3 victory. Despite the loss, Littler’s presence electrified the Danish crowd, and he remains a key figure to watch as he prepares to team up with Humphries for England at the upcoming World Cup of Darts.
The Nordic Darts Masters showcased the global appeal of the sport, pitting eight PDC stars against Nordic and Baltic representatives. All regional players were eliminated in the first round, with Aspinall’s 6-0 thrashing of Denmark’s Benjamin Reus among the standout results. The absence of Michael van Gerwen, who withdrew for personal reasons, added intrigue, allowing players like Bunting to seize the spotlight.
Bunting’s victory, which earned him £30,000, marks a high point in a stellar 2025. Having won the Bahrain Darts Masters in January, he avenged his loss to Cross in the Dutch Darts Masters final earlier this year. “I seem to be playing my best darts in [the World Series], and long may that continue,” Bunting said, his confidence palpable. As the World Series heads to New York, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand before culminating in the Netherlands in September, Bunting’s form positions him as a leading contender.
For fans in Copenhagen, the tournament was a spectacle of skill and drama, with the vibrant crowd fueling the players’ intensity. Cross, despite his disappointment, praised the atmosphere: “This crowd in Copenhagen was buzzing. I would love to do it again next year.” As the darts world turns its attention to the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt from June 12-15, Bunting’s Nordic triumph serves as a reminder of his enduring prowess and the unpredictable thrill of the sport.
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