BRADFORD’S Joe Cullen is celebrating the “biggest moment of his career” after winning his first European Tour title.

The Wyke pro stunned world number one Michael Van Gerwen 8-5 in the final in Mannheim, Germany.

Having never previously got past the semi-finals on the tour, Cullen beat William O’Connor, Glen Durrant and James Wade on the way to the decider at the Maimarkthalle.

He showed no nerves against the world champion from the moment he opened the final with a 180.

Cullen, who pocketed £25,000 in prize money, took four of the first five legs – including a 14-darter against the throw.

Van Gerwen clawed one back in the sixth but Cullen had the German crowd on their feet with a maximum 170 checkout to restore his three-leg advantage.

The Dutchman threatened a comeback by winning three in a row to level. But Cullen responded with back-to-back 13 darters to lead 7-5 – and then threw 14 to clinch the title on an 88 finish.

Cullen, who averaged over 101, said: “I’ve been threatening to win a tournament for a while and this weekend I believed I was going to win it.

“To beat Michael in the final is amazing. It’s the biggest moment in my career, it’s great.

“Michael is the consummate professional, he’s so gracious in defeat and victory. It was just one of those weekends.

“For us mere mortals, we’re not Michael. The stage is where we all play really well or really bad and Michael has set the standard.”

Van Gerwen admitted: “Joe played a phenomenal game and tournament and deserved to win the title.”