Luke Littler knew how to inspire the audience at the Premier League in Berlin. In the end it wasn’t enough for the big hit.
Darts prodigy Luke Littler also conquered Berlin, only the victory in the capital was missing for the perfect show. The 17-year-old runner-up world champion only lost in the final on Thursday in the second stop of the Premier League. Shortly before midnight, Littler had to admit defeat to the Dutch darts star Michael van Gerwen with 5:6 legs.
Littler had previously beaten world number one and world champion Luke Humphries in a thrilling semi-final in front of over 10,000 enthusiastic spectators. And he was already celebrated, he hadn’t thrown an arrow yet.
Things couldn’t have gone better for the teenager in Berlin than with a 180 with his first three arrows at the start. However, Littler also had to tremble a bit in his quarter-final against 33-year-old former world champion Rob Cross. Ultimately, the teenager won the game 6:5 legs.
Littler defeats Humphries – close final with van Gerwen
After Humphries won his game against Peter Wright 6:4, it was clear: It would be a duel between Luke and Luke again. A week ago at the start of the Premier League with a total of 16 stations, Littler had beaten him in the quarter-finals, but then fell to eventual winner Michael Smith in the semi-finals.
Before meeting Humphries again, Littler walked easily through the spectators’ trellis towards the stands, and there was still time and leisure for a selfie with a fan. Then it started. Both had won five legs, the eleventh would bring the decision. And Littler won it and reached the final against seven-time Premier League overall winner van Gerwen.
There too he took the lead, even 2-0, but van Gerwen then won three legs in a row. There was no reason for Littler to get too nervous, he equalized at 3:3 and 5:5, but lost the last leg.