150/1 outsider Ritchie Edhouse almost doubles career earnings as he lifts ‘dream’ European Championship darts title

RITCHIE EDHOUSE admitted it was a “dream come true” as he became a shock winner of the European Championship. 

The World No 39 crushed Jermaine Wattimena 11-3 to win his first major title in Dortmund on Sunday night.

‘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 was a 250-1 outsider and picked up £120,000 - having only had £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.”

Earlier Edhouse had beaten Gary Anderson 10-5 in the quarters and then Luke Woodhouse 11-5 to reach the final. 

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Meanwhile, Luke Humphries' quarter-final conqueror Wattimena was philosophical after falling at the last hurdle in the finest tournament display of his career.

The Dutchman led 2-0 and 3-2 before his finishing fell apart.