Dave Chisnall denied third European title of the year by Peter Wright in Czech Open final

Dave Chisnall was narrowly denied his third European darts title of the year when Peter Wright beat him in the Czech Open Final.

The Morecambe star was downed 8-6 by the two-time world champion at the Gambrinus Czech Darts Open in Prague on Sunday.

Chisnall was hoping to add to his Baltic Sea Open and Dutch Darts Championship crowns won earlier in 2023.

But 'Snakebite' proved just too strong at the last, with Chizzy denied after earlier scoring wins over Rob Cross, Nathan Aspinall and UK Open champion Andrew Gilding to reach the final.

Wright opened the final with a 100 finish to break throw immediately with a 12-darter, and he doubled his lead before Chisnall responded to level with back-to-back legs of his own.

Wright took out another 100 checkout to regain the edge, and after the pair traded 13-darters it was the former world champion who moved into a 6-3 advantage with successive legs.

Chisnall then punished a missed bull from Wright as he broke back on double nine, before finishing 120 to reduce the arrears to one.

Tops edged Wright to the brink of victory, and though he missed five match darts in the 13th leg, the 53-year-old was first to a finish in the next as double 10 sealed the title.

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"Peter played brilliant and deserved to win the game," said Chisnall. 

"He had a little bit more in the final but it was a great weekend for me to get to the final.

"I've had a great tournament in front of a wonderful crowd - it's been a pleasure and I'm looking forward to coming back next year."

Chizzy beat Gilding 6-4, Aspinall 6-5 and Cross 7-4 on his way to the final. One of the top professional darts players in the world, he is originally from St Helens, and has lived in Morecambe for more than a decade.