Nordic Darts Masters 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Bunting BEATS Cross in epic final, Luke Littler dumped OUT at quarters stage
STEPHEN BUNTING has WON the Nordic Darts Masters 2025 after beating Rob Cross in an epic final.
The Bullet overcame Jonny Clayton and Nathan Aspinall before dismantling Rob Cross 8-4 in the showpiece match to end a nine-game consecutive loss streak.
As for Luke Littler, the teen sensation got his tournament debut off to the perfect start.
But he ultimately suffered a damaging quarter-final defeat to Nathan Aspinall.
Bunting now gets to take home a nice pot of prize money for his troubles.
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That's all folks
Stephen Bunting is going global as he tries to prove his Premier League flop was a one-off.
The Bullet, 40, picked up a second World Series of Darts title this year on Saturday night as he beat Rob Cross 8-4 in the final in Copenhagen.
Bunting, ranked fourth in the world, slept with the Nordic Darts Masters trophy in his hotel room before catching a flight home to the UK.
The 40-year-old channelled his inner-Lionel Messi as he posted a cheeky topless snap of him cuddling up with the gong - just like rival Luke Littler.
He wrote on X: "Good morning Copenhagen! What a great feeling waking up along side this beauty."
Price says he’s not past sell-by date
Beaten semi-finalist Gerwyn Price reckons he will play on into his 50s.
The Iceman, 40, is determined to at least double his total of ONE world title.
Questioned over whether he might quit the pro tour, Price said: “No, I’m sticking around for the next 10 years.
“I mean, one World Championship, it’s not good enough.”
He even claimed: “I would never give up totally.
“But the Pro Tours and Europeans, depending on how many it’s going to be at that time, because it’s getting more and more every year, but I’ll stop doing those.
“I would never give my Tour Card up.
“I’d still do events and if they invite me to the Premier League and World Series, I’ll still do them, but none of the lower events and just stop the travelling.”
Path to glory
ICYMI, this is how Saturday night went and the path Bunting took to secure another huge title.
Quarter-finals (best of 11 legs)- Stephen Bunting 6-3 Jonny Clayton
- Luke Littler 3-6 Nathan Aspinall
- Rob Cross 6-0 Chris Dobey
- Gerwyn Price 6-3 Luke Humphries
Semi-finals (best of 13 legs)
- Stephen Bunting 7-5 Nathan Aspinall
- Rob Cross 7-4 Gerwyn Price
Final (best of 15 legs)
- Stephen Bunting 8-4 Rob Cross
Swift recovery
Stephen Bunting suffered a humiliating bottom place Premier League Darts finish, but put that behind him this weekend.
The Bullet beat Clayton, Aspinall and Cross on his way to victory yesterday.
The World No 4 keeps his place in the top four for now - meaning he is still in line for Premier League Darts next season.
But - a BIG end to 2025 awaits, can the Bullets build momentum from here?
Credit: Getty What's next for Bunting?
Unfortunately for fans, Stephen Bunting won't be at the World Cup of Darts.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries will represent England in the iconic competition.
But stay tuned to SunSport as we'll have the latest on where Bunting will be in action next.
Lets go Bunting mental
The man, the myth, the legend, Stephen Bunting!
MVG's World Cup snub is big Gi up
Next week's World Cup of Darts will be missing one of the sport's top names.
Netherlands icon Michael van Gerwen has decided against playing in the international pairs event in Frankfurt from June 12-15.
And at first that might appear to strengthen England's status as overwhelming favourites.
The defending champions are linking up the top two stars on the planet in world champ Luke Littler and 2024 Ally Pally king Luke Humphries.
And Dutch legend MVG is still ranked as high as World No.3.
But Van Gerwen has been in modest form over recent months
And in contrast the player replacing him for the Netherlands - Gian van Veen - has a fine record over the same period
Van Veen will team up with his country's No 2 Danny Noppert.
Van Gerwen is understood to have declined a spot in the team as it's not a ranking event.
Results
This is how Saturday night went and the path Bunting took to secure another huge title.
Quarter-finals (best of 11 legs)- Stephen Bunting 6-3 Jonny Clayton
- Luke Littler 3-6 Nathan Aspinall
- Rob Cross 6-0 Chris Dobey
- Gerwyn Price 6-3 Luke Humphries
Semi-finals (best of 13 legs)
- Stephen Bunting 7-5 Nathan Aspinall
- Rob Cross 7-4 Gerwyn Price
Final (best of 15 legs)
- Stephen Bunting 8-4 Rob Cross
Cris Cross
Rob Cross was unable to become the Great Dane of Darts – just days after his financial problems were released by The Insolvency Service.
It was revealed that Cross, the world No.9 player, has been – until June 2030 – after his company failed to pay more than £450,000 in tax.
The Insolvency Service claims the Premier League Darts star withdrew more than £300,000 from Rob Cross Darts Limited between March 2020 and November 2023 that should have gone to creditors, including to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The former electrician also took out more than £400,000 from Rob Cross Darts Limited – which was set up eight years ago to receive his earnings and prize money – in the form of a director’s loan account by the time the company went into liquidation.
In an attempt to repay part of his debts, Cross has entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a legally binding agreement where he has committed to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner.
Streak broken
Stephen Bunting will be delighted to break what was becoming an unwanted streak against Rob Cross.
Before tonight, Cross had won the last NINE consecutive encounters.
But Bunting won where it really matters!
Power urges Lukes to stay fully charged
Phil Taylor has warned Luke Littler and Luke Humphries to "stay dedicated" and manage their workload if they aim to remain dominant.
The Power, 64, won 16 world titles but his reputation as the greatest ever is already under threat from 18-year-old Littler.
And a surge of top talent even younger than the Nuke is progressing fast.
Taylor said: “It’s not just about the two Lukes now. There are other players coming after them.
“So they must stay dedicated, they must stay professional and do the practising.
“Even if you have to just cancel a few exhibitions or don’t book as many — but make sure you’re fit and healthy and fresh.”
Price says he's not past sell-by date
Beaten semi-finalist Gerwyn Price reckons he will play on into his 50s.
The Iceman, 40, is determined to at least double his total of ONE world title.
Questioned over whether he might quit the pro tour, Price said: “No, I’m sticking around for the next 10 years.
“I mean, one World Championship, it’s not good enough.”
He even claimed: "I would never give up totally.
“But the Pro Tours and Europeans, depending on how many it’s going to be at that time, because it’s getting more and more every year, but I’ll stop doing those.
“I would never give my Tour Card up.
“I’d still do events and if they invite me to the Premier League and World Series, I’ll still do them, but none of the lower events and just stop the travelling.”
Cross gives credit
Rob Cross said: "It wasn’t meant to be for me. I probably ran out a little bit of steam.
“Credit to Stephen, he has a lovely management, lovely wife, lovely family. He was absolutely brilliant. I didn’t have it at the end.
“I’ve loved coming to Copenhagen. How buzzing is this crowd?
“I’ll carry on fighting. I never shy away from nothing. I have to admit the intensity this week killed me. I wanted to win so bad. I wanted to win this week.
“I wanted to know that there is no foot on my head. I think I proved that. I didn’t perform in the final. Fantastic to come here. I’d love to come back next year.”Run out of Luk
As for Luke Littler, the teen sensation got his tournament debut off to the perfect start.
But he ultimately suffered a damaging quarter-final defeat to Nathan Aspinall.
It's been a week to forget for Littler, first losing the Prem finals match against Humphries and now this.
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Prize money
Stephen Bunting is set to take home a nice bit of prize money for his huge Nordic Darts win.
Here is the breakdown:
- Winner (1) £30,000
- Runner-up (1) £16,000
- Semi-finalists (2) £10,000
- Quarter-finalists (4) £5,000
- First round (8) £1,750
Bunting speaks
Stephen Bunting said: "The way I have been playing, I was wondering if I was going to win another title again.
“My doubles have been atrocious over the last few months. It’s something I need to work on.
“But when you win titles, against the calibre of players I am playing week-in, week-out, it means an awful lot.
"Hopefully I am involved with the World Series for a few more years.”Two bullets in the chamber
Stephen The Bullet Bunting has now won two out of the opening three tournaments on this European tour.
And he has won 11/12 matches in 2025!
He really is flying this year, who can stop him?!
BUNTING WINS! Bunting 8-4 Rob Cross
Cross scored tidily to stay in this leg - and the match - on Bunting's throw.
The Bullet then nearly pulled off a 170 finish - bagging two treble tops, then hitting the green circle instead of the bull.
But Bunting was able to return to clinch the title in 14 darts.
A scintillating display - after Cross looked strong at 3-2 up.
Bunting's won the crown for the first time.
*Stephen Bunting 7-4 Rob Cross
Cross held with nerves of steel.
Stephen Bunting 7-3 Rob Cross*
Bunting put three darts above the D20 metal - to leave him still needing 40 and give Cross a glimmer of hope.
But he returned to take it out first time for a 16-darter.
Now he's one leg from victory.
*Stephen Bunting 6-3 Rob Cross
Another tight leg, with Bunting again turning up the heat.
Cross could only cut his 100 target to 60.
And Bunting returned to clinch a 13-darter to make it four legs in a row.
Stephen Bunting 5-3 Rob Cross*
Cross blew a chance and Bunting took out 104 to move three legs from victory.
*Stephen Bunting 4-3 Rob Cross
Bunting turned up the pressure with a maximum, then added 140 on his next visit.
Cross clung in there and both were left needing D20.
But Bunting blew two shots at it.
Cross was then left needing 5 after three failures
And Bunting finally did it with THREE more attempts.
We have our first break!
Stephen Bunting 3-3 Rob Cross*
Bunting nicks in for a vital hold.
Cross only needed D20 - but Bunting defied the pressure by bagging his 55 target with his 18th arrow.
Still no breaks.
*Stephen Bunting 2-3 Rob Cross
Another engrossing leg.
Bunting outscored his English rival to get down to 88, with Cross replying by cutting his target to 70.
The Bullet could only leave himself needing 14 following his next visit.
And Cross came back to take out 70 for an 18-darter.
He punched the air with joy - surely thinking that was an important hold as he went back in front.
