World Darts Championship final updates: Luke Littler demolishes Michael van Gerwen to win first world title
The 17-year-old Littler brilliantly beat Van Gerwen 7-3 with an average of almost 103 as he went one better than 12 months ago
Luke Littler became the youngest ever world champion of darts with a brilliant display in the final at Alexandra Palace, blowing away three-time winner Michael van Gerwen to win 7-3.
Littler, 17, was beaten by world No 1 Luke Humphries in last year’s final, but he returned to the same stage 12 months later and made no mistake this time, overwhelming his esteemed opponent with peerless finishing to race into a 4-0 lead.
Van Gerwen appeared nervous in the opening forays and struggled to settle, competing gamely with his three-dart scoring but missing an array of doubles to give up winning positions. The Dutchman battled back in the latter stages but it was too little, too late, as the teenage superstar from Warrington cemented his name among the greats of the sport – and began what many believe will be a new era of dominance.
Follow all the reaction from Luke Littler’s victory at the World Darts Championship below.
Littler vs van Gerwen - 2-1
Littler had opened up a lead in the second leg but he doesn’t really take advantage initially, dragging a couple into five.
No problem for the youngster though as he nails double 10 to take the second leg!
In leg three it’s 161 v 153 to checkout, and they narrow it down to 88 and 52.
Littler has the chance to take the set with a double seven, but he misses, and van Gerwen is on the board.
Littler vs van Gerwen - Littler breaks in opening leg
The first 180 of the day comes from van Gerwen to leave 25...but he goes bust!
Littler misses his own chance to leave himself on 55, but miraculously, van Gerwen misses all three again – unable to land double four – and Littler breaks the throw at the first time of asking!
World Darts Championship final LIVE
Warm-ups are out of the way, and we’re getting started at Ally Pally!
‘One Luke Littler’ chants are a lot more audible now.
Van Gerwen wins the walk-ons
Greenlight by Pitbull rings round Ally Pally as Luke Littler takes to the stage first. A decent walk-on that the crowd are relatively into and Littler certainly looks relaxed as he shakes hands with the officials and claps the crowd. Then it’s game-face time for the teenager.
As ever, Michael van Gerwen’s walk-on is an absolute riot. Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes blares out and the “oh, Michael van Gerwen chants” are as loud as ever. MvG looks focused and fist bumps the officials before embracing Littler.
This could be epic!
World Darts Championship final LIVE
Former champion John Part is the only panellist not to predict a Littler win. The 17-year-old is the first to walk out.
Littler the man in form against underdog Van Gerwen
Luke Littler has been in better form than Michael van Gerwen over the past fortnight at Ally Pally. He has the higher tournament average at 102.13 to 99.75, while he’s hit 64 180s to MvG’s 43.
This will be the first world final that Van Gerwen has been the underdog for since his first against Phil Taylor back in 2013, when Taylor won 7-4.
Will Mighty Mike relish that or be perturbed by it? We’re about to find out
Littler vs Van Gerwen head to head
The players are in the building now, and the main event is approaching.
A reminder that these two players are 6-6 in their own head-to-head record so far. So will van Gerwen win his fourth title, or will it be Littler becoming the youngest winner ever?
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