TERRY Jenkins is hoping for a strong finish to the year despite losing the ninth major televised darts final of his career.

The Ledbury thrower was beaten 11-4 by world champion Michael van Gerwen in the final of the 888.com European Championship in Mulheim, Germany.

But the runners-up spot, which earned The Bull £25,000, was enough to secure the 51-year-old a place in next month’s Grand Slam of Darts at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

He also has the world championship at London’s Alexandra Palace, another event in which he has previously reached the final, to come at the end of December.

“It’s obviously disappointing to lose but I’m happy with the way I played in Germany and to reach the final,” said Jenkins.

“I had a tough draw and beat some good players on the way.

“I suppose it’s the same old story with me losing the final but to reach another major final is a feather in my cap.

“A lot of top players have never made one major final, let alone nine, so I can’t be too disappointed.

“I always go up there and give it 100 per cent but Michael’s great — he doesn’t seem to miss and if you miss, he jumps on you.

“This, though, could set me up really well for the rest of the year now.”

Jenkins enjoyed wins over Scottish duo Gary Anderson and Robert Thornton on the opening two days of the event before defeating Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals.

He then overcame Mervyn King 11-8 during a semi-final in which he came from 3-2 down to lead 6-3 before holding onto the cushion to book his place in the final.

Van Gerwen hit a nine-dart finish in his semi-final victory over Raymond van Barneveld and continued that form at the start of the final.

The Dutchman claimed the opening five legs without reply, breaking throw twice and taking out a 167 finish.

Jenkins hit two 180s as he struck back to win the next three legs.

However, van Gerwen hit a maximum of his own as he halted the revival in the ninth leg and set off on a run of five successive legs to move 10-3 up.

Van Gerwen missed one dart for the title in the next as Jenkins posted tops to keep the game alive.

But the Boxtel-born 25-year-old landed two 10s in the 15th leg before hitting tops to claim his first European Championship title.