James Wade has finally claimed a European Tour title for the first time since 2016, defeating fellow Englishman Ross Smith 8-4 in the final of the Flanders Darts Trophy. The tournament, part of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) circuit, saw Wade, 43, end a 10-year wait for a continental victory, which had last been achieved at the 2016 European Darts Matchplay in Hamburg. Wade’s path to the final was marked by strong performances, including a 6-0 victory over Dutch player Danny Noppert in the quarter-finals and a 7-4 win against Australian Damon Heta. In the semi-finals, Smith had overcome top seed Gian van Veen with a narrow 7-6 win, setting up a highly anticipated final between two English players. In the final, Wade showcased his skill with a 95.50 average score and five maximum 180s, which are the highest possible scores in a single dart throw. He took an early lead after Smith missed a crucial 64-point shot, allowing Wade to go 3-2 up. Wade extended his advantage to 6-3 before sealing the win with a 16-point checkout, a sequence of dart throws that add up to the required score to win a set. After securing the £35,000 prize, Wade reflected on the ups and downs of his career. "Some weeks it's good, sometimes it's bad. That's how it is for me," he said. "If it was good all the time, I'd smash them all to bits. We can't always select how we feel." His victory not only marked a personal milestone but also highlighted his enduring competitiveness in the sport.