Premier League
Despite an impressive performance, Michael van Gerwen failed to reach the final of the Premier League matchday in Liverpool. Mighty Mike recorded an average of 107.54 against Luke Littler, but still lost: 5-6. Gian van Veen also failed after a decisive leg.
Van Gerwen had defeated Josh Rock (6-3) in the quarter-finals. World champion Littler was the opponent in the semi-finals. It became a high-level party.
Seven-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen threw as usual and, in addition to the many 180’s (nine of them), was also strong on the doubles. Littler was slightly better at the finish (6 out of 7 compared to 5 out of 7) and won 6-5.
Van Veen won 6-4 against Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals. The Dutchman also met a Welshman in the semi-finals: Jonny Clayton, the leader of the Premier League. Van Veen took a 3-1 lead, but saw Clayton return to the game.
In the decisive eleventh leg, Van Veen missed one match dart on the bullseye. Clayton took advantage and qualified for the final.
Van Veen and Van Gerwen reached the quarter-finals last week in the eleventh round in Ahoy Rotterdam. Van Gerwen takes fourth place in the rankings and Van Veen sixth.
The program
Quarterfinals
• Gian van Veen -Gerwyn Price 6-4
• Stephen Bunting – Jonny Clayton 5-6
• Josh Rock – Michael van Gerwen 3-6
• Luke Humphries – Luke Littler 2-6
Semi-finals
• Gian van Veen -Jonny Clayton 5-6
• Michael van Gerwen -Luke Littler 5-6
Final
• Jonny Clayton – Luke Littler
liveblog
Clayton vs. Littler
It’s time for the final of matchday 12 in the Premier League: leader Clayton meets world champion Littler. Game on!
Van Gerwen misses the final
He throws an average of 107.54, but it is not enough for the victory. Littler recorded an average of 102.06 and won 6-5. The world champion will soon face Premier League leader Clayton in the final.
Van Gerwen and Littler were also very strong on the doubles: 5 out of 7 for Van Gerwen and 6 out of 7 for Littler.
A 90 finish from Littler to stay in the match, after Van Gerwen misses the big area to get a match dart. The score is 5-5: we get a decisive leg.
Van Gerwen continues to throw the 180’s with ease. He now has nine. He also finds double 16 and reaches match point: 5-4.
A poorer leg from Van Gerwen. Littler is quick to make it 4-4.
Two 180’ers this leg and an eleven darter! Van Gerwen makes a big impression in this match. He leads 4-3 and the average is creeping towards 111.
Littler evens the score: 3-3. And while Van Gerwen has an average of over 109. Littler has to make do with 96.
Littler also shows his class: a 100 finish via double 20 twice. The world champion comes back to 3-2.
Another strong leg from Van Gerwen. Littler is not involved at this time. It’s 3-1 for Mighty Mike.
Van Gerwen throws out 76 and makes a break: 2-1. He currently has an average of over 108.
Van Gerwen with an eleven darter to make it 1-1. Rock solid from Mighty Mike!
An 82 finish from Littler to clinch the opening leg. The 19-year-old Englishman had also started laying.
Van Gerwen vs. Littler
Will we get a Dutchman in the final with Van Gerwen? Then the seven-time Premier League champion must pass world champion Littler. Both men are now on stage.
Van Veen loses 6-5 to Clayton
Van Veen misses the bullseye for a 167 finish and the victory! Clayton then finishes it off and reaches the finals for the third week in a row. Sour for Van Veen. It will be 6-5 for Clayton.
Van Veen forces a decisive leg. He finds double 20 with his last arrow and he is happy with that. The Dutchman may start the last leg.
Also a nice finish from Van Veen: 112 goes off the board and he comes back to 5-4.
What a finish from Clayton! He throws out 156 and is now leading 5-3. Problems for Van Veen.
A 101 finish from Clayton. The Welshman leads for the first time this match: 4-3.
Oops, Van Veen with a few misses on the double. Clayton takes advantage and levels the score: 3-3.
A nice 121 finish on Clayton’s bullseye. The Premier League leader is returning the favor.
Sign up for our darts push!
1. In the AD app, click on the figure 🙎🏽♂️ at the top right
2. Click on ‘notifications’ 🔔
3. Click on ‘all news notifications’ 🫵
4. Check ‘darts‘ and receive the latest news on your phone! 🎯
Tim Hartman
Tim Hartman has been following darts for this site since 2022. Since then he has attended the Darts World Cup every year and this year he will travel to Ally Pally again. He also follows Formula 1 and martial arts. Read all his contributions this file!
