Ross Smith claimed his second European Tour title of 2026 in spectacular fashion, thrashing Gary Anderson 8-2 in the final of the Hungarian Darts Trophy in Budapest. In front of a record European Tour crowd of over 6,000, Smith delivered a clinical display to deny the legendary Scot, who had delighted fans all weekend but ultimately fell short in the showpiece.
Smith, a European Champion in 2022, had to wait until this year for his first European Tour win, which came in Riesa. Now he has doubled up in Budapest, following a stint on the World Series down under. The Englishman opened the final with a 103 checkout to hold, and after Anderson levelled at 1-1 with a double 16, Smith took control with an exceptional 124 on the bull for 2-1. He then broke Anderson's throw on double 20 for 3-1 and never looked back, extending his lead to 5-1 with a double eight after Anderson missed the bull on 86.
Smith continued to clean up, going 6-1 up with a 93 checkout. Anderson stopped the rot on double two for 6-2, but Smith responded by moving one away on double 12 at 7-2, then sealed the win with a 46 checkout. Anderson, who admitted he only attended the event because he heard Budapest was nice, rode his luck at times but couldn't match Smith's ruthless finishing.
Earlier in the day, Danny Noppert survived a scare to beat Dirk van Duijvenbode 6-5 in a deciding leg, having squandered a 4-0 lead. Smith then powered past Dave Chisnall 6-2, while Gary Anderson edged a tense quarter-final against Gian van Veen 6-5, hitting an 80 checkout in the decider. Nathan Aspinall also progressed, beating Chris Dobey 6-4 after a tight battle.
In the semi-finals, Smith was emphatic, defeating Noppert 7-3, while Anderson produced a remarkable comeback against Aspinall, who missed five match darts before Anderson snatched a 7-6 win with a 64 finish. The final was a one-sided affair, but Smith's double European Tour success in 2026 marks him as a serious threat to the darting elite.