Kent-born darts star Ross Smith has been crowned European champion for the second time following a thrilling victory in Germany.

The 37-year-old, who was born in Chatham and is from Dover, defeated home favourite Martin Schindler 11-8 in Dortmund tonight (October 25) to reclaim the title he first won four years ago.

Nicknamed ‘Smudger’, the world number 14 overcame the German in front of his home crowd at the Westfalenhalle to secure the £150,000 top prize.

Speaking after his victory, Smith said: "It's absolutely amazing. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit sweaty there. He wouldn't let up.

"To have this trophy in my hand and to win another major, honestly, I am over the moon.

"I'm buzzing.”

The victory marks another major milestone in Smith's career, having previously lifted the European Championship trophy in 2022.

Earlier in the evening, Smith booked his place in the final after overcoming world number four Gerwyn Price in a tense semi-final.

The Kent star defeated the Welshman 11-7 to secure his spot in the tournament's final.

Earlier today, Smith had beaten Luke Woodhouse 10-6 in the quarter-finals.

He also defeated Damon Heta 10-7 in the second round on Saturday, having opened his campaign with a 6-4 victory over Karel Sedlacek.

It was not the first time Smith had got the better of Price in a major competition.

In September, he produced an impressive 11-5 victory over the two-time former winner at the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam.

Smith previously tasted European Championship glory in 2022, when he defeated Michael Smith 11-8 to secure his maiden televised PDC ranking title.

The darts star counts Folkestone Invicta FC's Dugout Sports Bar among his backers.

He is also sponsored by S&D Darting Dynamics, a darting equipment company and retailer based in Faversham.

The European Darts Championship began on Thursday (October 22), with 32 players competing over four days in Dortmund.

The tournament, first held in 2008, brings together the top 32 players from the PDC European Tour Order of Merit.

Among the biggest shocks of this year's competition was the exit of world number one Luke Littler, who suffered a surprise 10-6 quarter-final defeat to Poland's Krzysztof Ratajski on Sunday afternoon.

The 19-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Nuke’, had been hoping to claim the only major title missing from his collection.

However, Ratajski ended those hopes before losing 11-6 to Schindler in the semi-finals.

The tournament featured a total prize fund of £750,000, with Smith collecting £150,000 for his victory.

Last year's champion was Dutchman Gian van Veen, who defeated Luke Humphries 11-10 in the 2025 final.