Stephen Bunting completed a remarkable BetMGM Premier League turnaround with victory in Berlin on Thursday, and insisted he will remember this moment for the rest of his life.
Bunting had suffered eight consecutive defeats on his return to the Premier League fold in 2025, but he snapped that losing streak with a famous triumph in the German capital.
The Liverpudlian defeated Nathan Aspinall, Luke Humphries and Gerwyn Price on Night Nine, edging out Price in a dramatic decider to create a moment of personal history.
“I can’t believe it. I’m over the moon,” reflected Bunting, who was roared on by a capacity crowd of 12,000 fans at the Uber Arena.
“To win a Premier League night is a special achievement, especially here in Berlin, and I’m glad I could give something back to the German fans.
“The aim coming here was to try and win a game after a really tough first eight weeks.
“I feel like I’ve played really well throughout the tournament, but it’s been a lonely place.
“To go and win a night is beyond my wildest dreams to be honest, and I’m just so happy that I was able to do it.
“I will remember this for the rest of my life.”
🗣️ "It's been a lonely place!"
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) April 3, 2025
An emotional Stephen Bunting opens up on a tough eight weeks in the Premier League.#PLDarts | @sbunting180 pic.twitter.com/O0jkf5emZd
Six of this year’s eight-player line-up featured in last year’s Premier League, while Chris Dobey competed in the 2023 edition following his Masters success just days ahead of the event.
Bunting, meanwhile, is featuring in the Premier League on a full-time basis for the first time in a decade, despite competing as a ‘challenger’ during the 2020 season.
The 39-year-old reaffirmed his pedigree with a trio of fine performances in Berlin, and he broke his duck with a 6-2 win over Aspinall in the evening’s opener, averaging 103 in the process.
Bunting then swept aside world number one Humphries by the same scoreline in the semi-finals, before converting a nerveless 107 finish to deny Price in a last-leg tussle in the Night Nine showpiece.
“I’ve worked really hard over the last few years to warrant my place in the Premier League, and I really do believe I deserve to be here,” continued the former Masters champion.
“No matter who you play in the Premier League, it’s never going to be easy, and these players have the experience.
“I know I’m playing against the best players in the world, but I also know I’ve got the game to beat these guys.
“I’m world number five, I’m playing some of the best darts of my life at the minute, and hopefully this is just the start of things to come."
Bunting endured a wretched start on his Premier League return, although his performances belied his league position, as he posted ton-plus averages in four of his last six Premier League games heading into Berlin.
However, he’s been on the receiving end of some brutal displays, including 112 and 110 averages from Luke Littler, a 109 from Michael van Gerwen and a 106 from Aspinall.
“When your opponents are averaging 110, 109, 112 against you, it’s really difficult," added Bunting, who is now eight points adrift of the Play-Off positions.
'I’ve dug in and played some really good darts, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season now.
“It’s not dead and buried. I’m not out of it yet, and I will keep fighting right until the very end of the Premier League.”