Michael van Gerwen is certain to participate in the Final Four in Berlin, the final of the Premier League Darts. On Thursday evening, he lost in the final of the fourteenth round against Gerwyn Price. But with his first-round victory over Peter Wright, he already secured a place in the top four of the ranking and the corresponding ticket for the final on Monday 13 June.
The final flew in all directions. Van Gerwen took a 4-2 lead, but then saw Price take the lead with three legs in a row. Van Gerwen then made an impression by pulling out a decisive leg with two times double nineteen. However, his opponent from Wales was the strongest, as a result of which Mighty Mike lost a final of a Premier League round for the second week in a row.
Van Gerwen was disappointed with the defeat against Price afterwards. Especially from the four misses on double twelve, making it not 5-3 but 4-4. “If someone outclasses me, I’m at peace with that. But this hurts so much, it’s not necessary at all. Matches like this are always sour. I’m the man in shape, then you want to get this match out too,” he said before the ViaPlay camera.
Final Four
Van Gerwen took three more points by reaching the final, which means that he ends up in the top four in the Premier League ranking anyway. At the moment he is still second, behind Jonny Clayton. Who will compete with Van Gerwen and Clayton on June 13 in Berlin for the Premier League win should become clear in the next two weeks.
Price can also still get a ticket for the Final Four because of the victory. Van Gerwen is not concerned with that. “I’m qualified, that’s what it’s about. We’ll see who comes in.”
Road to final
Van Gerwen qualified for the final by beating Peter Wright and Michael Smith, in two completely different matches. In the first game he was way too strong for Wright. The Scot never got into the game, partly due to the excellent throwing Van Gerwen: 6-1.
The semi-final was a real competition. Van Gerwen soon faced a 4-1 deficit. Smith looked to be on his way to victory, but Mighty Mike fought his way back into the game. He completely turned the game around with four legs in a row. It eventually turned out to be a thrilling and decisive eleventh leg, which Van Gerwen managed to win.