European Championship darts 2024 LIVE RESULTS: Edhouse breaks down in TEARS after winning first title of his CAREER
RITCHIE EDHOUSE broke down in TEARS after winning the first major title of his career.
The Essex boy, 41, had not been past the last 32 in a major PDC event since turning pro in 2014.
But Edhouse was incredible in Dortmund, beating Gary Anderson and Luke Woodhouse to take home the £120,000 top prize.
- Explainer: Full schedule and results
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Follow ALL the action from the European Championship with our live blog below...
Welcome to the Madhouse 'dream'
Ritchie Edhouse admitted it was a “dream come true” as he became a shock winner of the European Championship, writes PHILL LANNING.
The World No.39 crushed Jermaine Wattimena 11-3 to win his first major title in Dortmund last night.
Here's the moment when Edhouse tries to take in victory ‘Madhouse’, 41, rattled off NINE legs in succession, three ton-plus finishes and wrapped it up in style with two double 18s.
Basildon-born Edhouse picked up £120,000 - having only accumulated £153,000 on his ranking after two years of prize money. He had never previously been beyond the last 32 in any major tournament.
He said: “It’s just a dream come true, I don’t know what to say.
“I just wanted to get a couple of rounds under my belt and see what happened.
“The missus kicks my butt all the time. It’s a step up and confidence breeds confidence and hungry.
“It’s a busy time and the confidence will be up so we’ll see what happens.”
'Ain't you won a trophy?'
Ritchie Edhouse will finally end his grandchildren's trophy trolling today!
The new European champion has no doubts how he wants to celebrate victory on his return from Dortmund.
The mischievous star said last night: "I'm just looking forward to going back to Enfield tomorrow to see the grandkids because they always say when I play darts, 'Ain't you won a trophy?'"
Edhouse added: "So it's nice to show them now!"
Is this almost a smirk?! Here's the moment when Edhouse revealed he can surprise his grandkids with silverware today ‘I’m as good as anyone when I relax’
Ritchie Edhouse claimed his European Championship glory surpassed all expectations – but insisted he’s as “good as any player in the world” when he relaxes.
Edhouse looked bewildered breaking down his magical week in Dortmund.
He told the PDC: “To win it is amazing. It’s over expectations. I don’t know what to say.”
But he added: “When I relax i can play as good as any player in the world.
“I get a little bit… [shrugs his head] at the end, and miss doubles normally, but when it goes I can beat anyone.”
And asked if he was nervous as he neared victory over Wattimena he revealed: “Inside there was loads but I was trying to make it look good!”
Wattimena wows to have more 'huge moments'
Jermaine Wattimena was defiant as well as sportsmanlike in defeat.
Fans praised the way he embraced Ritchie Edhouse's victory after their career-changing heroics in reaching the European Championship final.
And although the Dutchman was delighted for his "good friend" he was also determined to build on by far his best-ever tournament.
Wattimena, aka The Machine Gun, insists this week will trigger more success.
He said: "This is a huge moment in my career, but there is going to be more.
The 36-year-old added: "I'm proud of what I have done this weekend.
"I lost to the better player in Ritchie.
"On the stage we are enemies, but after the match we're good friends. I've known him for a long time, so congratulations to Ritchie."
Edhouse & partner share the tears!
Ritchie Edhouse and his partner showed they are well matched - by sharing the tears equally after his victory!
Both also put their hand to their head with stunned joy as he completed an 11-3 comeback triumph over Jermaine Wattimena in the European Championship final.
Edhouse was celebrating his first ever major title.
And TV cameras panned to the crowd where a woman he called his "missus" in a post-match interview was also crying.
The couple later posed for pictures with the trophy.
Fans hail 'life-changing' final
FANS were stunned by Ritchie Edhouse and Jermaine Wattimena reaching the European Championship final - then charmed by the outcome.
Viewers loved the mutual respect and sheer enjoyment shown by the two outsiders as Edhouse fought back to win 11-3.
Edhouse leant against a wall in disbelief following victory They were also excited by the latest confirmation that darts is open to shock triumphs this season - despite the brilliance of the two Lukes, Humphries and Littler.
One fan posted: "Amazing! Loving the variety in winners as of recent. Love this sport. Love the quality. Yes Ritchie!"
Another wrote: "Wattimena what a gentleman in defeat many sportsmen should take note."
A third said: "Nice to see a genuinely nice bloke win it."
A fourth added: "What a sport, life-changing for Ritchie."
And a fifth summed it all up: "Incredible final, Edhouse played absolutely amazingly throughout the whole tournament. Such a great final."
How Ritchie transformed his earnings
Ritchie Edhouse's financial rewards for winning the European Championships dwarf his previous earnings.
The Basildon star will pick up £120,000 in all from his success in Dortmund.
That compares to a career tally of £153,000 on his ranking after two years of prize money.
That's not too surprising when you consider it's the first time he'd ever reached the last 16 of a major tournament - let alone going all the way.
Ritchie in tears of shock
Ritchie Edhouse shed tears of a multitude of emotions after victory.
The Brit picked up his first major title - to deny fellow outsider Jermaine Wattimena the same achievement.
And Edhouse revealed one painful secret that has inspired him to keep going - finally landing glory with the European Championship crown.
He said: “The missus kicks my butt all the time."
Wattimena 'proud' despite defeat
Jermaine Wattimena must have believed the dream was on when he led Ritchie Edhouse 2-0 in the European Championship final.
But instead of a fifth upset win - including the scalp of world champion Luke Humphries - the Dutchman's finishing ability crumbled.
That enabled Ritchie Edhouse to triumph 11-3.
But Wattimena was quick to get his defeat into perspective - after few gave him any chance of even getting beyond the first round.
He said: "The better player won at this moment.
"On the stage we are enemies but after that we are good friends."
And of his overall performance in Dortmund, he added: "I'm really happy with this result. I'm proud."
Edhouse powered back to win the battle of the outsiders
Edhouse stunned by 'ridiculous, unbelievable' win
Ritchie Edhouse was almost speechless after roaring back to land his first-ever major title.
The English ace recovered from 2-0 and 3-2 down to beat Dutchman Jermaine Wattimena 11-3 in a battle of two players who went into the tournament as 250-1 outsiders.
Stunned Edhouse held his head against a wall after winning before recovering enough to deliver his victory verdict.
He said: "I thought I could get a couple of rounds under by belt and see what happens.
"But this is unbelievable. It's just a dream come true. I don't know what to say. It's ridiculous."
And with his triumph lifting him well into the top 32, he added: It's a step up - confidence breeds confidence.
"And now I'm really confident - hungry really hungry."
RITCHIE'S TITLE! Ritchie Edhouse 11-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Sensational turnaround to complete a tournament of surprises!
Edhouse made it nine legs in a row with a brilliant 92 checkout to overcome the giantkiller-in-chief of this European Championships.
Ritchie Edhouse 10-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Wattimena got down to 76 - but Edhouse took out 36 on his second shot at the double.
The Brit is one leg from victory.
Ritchie Edhouse 9-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse took out a dream 144 finish to move two legs from victory.
Ritchie Edhouse 8-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse notched a maximum on his way to making it six legs in a row.
Wattimena missed another shot at double when chasing a 92 checkout - his 25th such failure of the match
Ritchie Edhouse 7-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse was way out - but Wattimena's shocking run of finishing let him sneak in and build a four-leg lead.
Amazingly, Wattimena has now missed 24 of his 27 shots at double in this match.
This time he made three failed visits to the oche in a row when needing one dart to wrap it up.
And that nine-dart nightmare virtually handed Edhouse the leg - after he'd trailed for most of it.
Credit: ITV SPORT
Ritchie Edhouse 6-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse needed 180 to put the pressure on Wattimena's target of 25.
And when the Dutchman blew that checkout bid, his English rival pounced.
That's six out of the last seven legs for Edhouse.
Ritchie Edhouse 5-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse hops for joy (yes, really!) and pumps his fist after taking out 106 to build a two-leg cushion.
Ritchie Edhouse 4-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Wattimena missed a 86 checkout.
But Edhouse then failed with three shots at double 10.
Wattimena promptly fluffed three double attempts.
Edhouse needed three more to finish a nervy leg and move in front.
Ritchie Edhouse 3-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse took out double 16 with Wattimena stuck way out on 215.
Ritchie Edhouse 2-3 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse opened with a 180 against the throw and stepped up the pressure.
Wattimena missed a 65 checkout but returned to take the leg after three more shots at double.
The pair then enjoy a handshake and some smiling banter - before departing for the first mini-break.
Ritchie Edhouse 2-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse levels and now looks to have settled down.
Ritchie Edhouse 1-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Edhouse notched a maximum and checked out on 76.
He's on the scoreboard - and now on throw.
Ritchie Edhouse 0-2 Jermaine Wattimena
Another scrappy leg, but another to Wattimena.
Ritchie Edhouse 0-1 Jermaine Wattimena
Wattimena bagged 180 on throw but blew a 25 finish.
However, Edhouse then missed a shot at double.
And Wattimena returned to take it out in two shots - albeit for a 21-darter.
Ritchie Edhouse 0-0 Jermaine Wattimena
Wattimena is throwing first.