Luke Humphries delivered a commanding performance at the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open, claiming the title in Prague with a resounding 8-1 victory over Belgium’s Kim Huybrechts in the final. Humphries’ win marked his second title at this prestigious event and capped off what many are calling one of the most dominant European Tour campaigns in darts history. The 29-year-old Englishman showcased his remarkable form throughout the tournament, dropping just 11 legs across five matches, while securing the £30,000 top prize.
### A Triumphant Run to the Final
Humphries’ path to the final was nothing short of spectacular. His campaign kicked off with a trio of 6-2 victories over Ritchie Edhouse, Gian van Veen, and Mike De Decker. These early-round wins were marked by his consistency, as he posted three consecutive ton-plus averages, establishing himself as the player to beat in Prague.
His demolition of Van Veen, in particular, caught the attention of the darts world. Humphries reeled off six consecutive legs to close out the match, averaging a brilliant 106. This performance was followed by a highly anticipated encounter with Mike De Decker, in which Humphries avenged his recent loss to the Belgian in the World Grand Prix final. It was a psychological boost for Humphries, as he overcame De Decker with the same clinical precision that has become his trademark.
However, the highlight of Humphries’ campaign came in the semi-final, where he faced the 17-year-old prodigy Luke Littler. Littler had been the breakout star of the tournament, setting new records with his stunning performances, but Humphries was in no mood to let the youngster’s fairytale run continue. The world No. 1 produced a scintillating average of 108.56 in a high-scoring contest filled with quality darts from both players. Littler, despite his brilliance, was denied the chance to compete for his third European Tour title of 2024, as Humphries edged him out to book his place in the final.
### The Final: Humphries Dominates Huybrechts
In the final, Humphries wasted no time in establishing his dominance. He raced into a 2-0 lead with back-to-back 16-dart legs before Huybrechts briefly responded, reducing the deficit to 2-1. However, that would be as close as the Belgian would get. Humphries quickly restored his two-leg advantage to lead 3-1 and then went on a ruthless run of three consecutive 12-dart legs, which included a stunning 132 checkout on the bullseye in the fifth leg.
By this point, it was clear that Humphries was in complete control. Huybrechts, despite his impressive run to the final, had no answers for the relentless scoring and clinical finishing of his opponent. Humphries powered to victory in a 8-1 thrashing, securing his seventh European Tour title and cementing his status as one of the top players in the world.
Reflecting on his performance, Humphries said, “I still know there’s another level in me, and I believe I can get better. It’s nice to bounce back [from the World Grand Prix], because when you lose in major finals, it’s not easy; it does hurt you, so this is a nice way to finish my ProTour season.”
He also spoke about his determination to improve further, stating, “I’m going to come back next year, and I’m going to work harder. I’m going to change things, and I’m going to win more—that’s my commitment to the game!”
### Huybrechts’ Miraculous Run
Kim Huybrechts may have fallen short in the final, but his journey to that stage was nothing short of remarkable. The Belgian, who had struggled throughout 2024, failing to qualify for any European Tour events, found himself with an unexpected opportunity when Rob Cross withdrew from the tournament due to illness. Huybrechts made the most of this chance, advancing all the way to the final and earning £12,000 in prize money.
His run to the final included some impressive victories, but against Humphries, he was outclassed. Despite this, Huybrechts will take great confidence from his performance in Prague as he looks to build momentum heading into the next phase of the season.
### Littler’s Record-Breaking Weekend
While Humphries lifted the trophy, Luke Littler’s performances in Prague were arguably the story of the tournament. The teenage sensation broke records with his spectacular displays, posting averages of 110, 116, 110, and 106 in what was a stunning weekend of darts. His most notable achievement came in the last 16, where he demolished Damon Heta with a 116.51 average—a new tournament record. Littler followed that up with a 6-1 thrashing of three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals. Van Gerwen, who posted an average of 112.19 in defeat, became the highest losing average in European Tour history, highlighting just how incredible Littler’s performance was.
Littler’s record-breaking run came to an end in the semi-final against Humphries, but his achievements in Prague have only added to his growing reputation as one of the brightest young talents in darts. The 17-year-old, already a two-time European Tour winner, will undoubtedly be a force to reckon with in the future.
### Looking Ahead
The Gambrinus Czech Darts Open marked the conclusion of the 2024 European Tour, but the action is far from over. Next week, the Machineseeker European Championship will take place in Dortmund from October 24-27, with a star-studded 32-player field set to compete for one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.
Luke Humphries will head into the tournament full of confidence after his emphatic victory in Prague, while the likes of Kim Huybrechts, Luke Littler, and Michael van Gerwen will all be looking to make their mark. As the European Tour season wraps up, all eyes will be on Dortmund to see who will emerge victorious in what promises to be another thrilling week of darts.