Heartbreak for Littler as he loses to Van Gerwen in the Premier League Darts final
LUKE LITTLER missed two darts to win the match as Michael van Gerwen defeated a thrilling Premier League final 6-5.
Littler had a dream start as he broke the Dutchman in the very first leg before holding on to his own delivery to take a 2-0 lead.
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Van Gerwen then got on the scoreboard by taking the third leg and broke back to seize the initiative at 2-2.
The pair then held a throw each, but Littler looked a little nervous as he struggled to find treble 20.
Mighty took a 4-3 lead after a tense leg in which Littler threatened to break, but to no avail.
Littler, 17, then narrowly held on to his own throw to restore parity at 4-4.
He had a great chance to get back in front but missed the double top to break Van Gerwen, who took the lead 5-4 before The Nuke made it 5-5.
It came down to the final leg and Littler threw brilliantly to create a match-winning chance.
With 80 still on the scoreboard he hit treble 20 and had two darts on double ten – his favorite double.
His first arrow missed the target by inches before hitting ten and giving Van Gerwen a chance at victory.
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And the Green Machine made no mistake as he took double five to seal victory in Berlin.
Littler can be very proud of his achievements, adding three points to his total Premier League tally, which now stands at five, moving the teenager to third in the table, behind Van Gerwen and Michael Smith.
The Warrington wonderkid beat Rob Cross and Luke Humphries in tense matches to reach the final, beating both 6-5, while Van Gerwen came from behind to beat Nathan Aspinall before beating Smith in the semi-final.
Van Gerwen was full of praise for Littler and said: “Games against Luke Littler are always good. I think it was a fantastic evening of darts. I feel good, but there is more to come.
“Sometimes my energy level when playing matches was not that high. You have to find a solution. I know I have the ability, but you still have to do it all the time.
“In darts it is always good to have fresh blood and people who are in good shape.
“People in good shape always encourage the other players. This is how darts goes. Of course everyone now wants to put pressure on Luke.”
After beating world champion Humphries, Littler said: “I didn't feel my best. I came in here last night. It's crazy 10,000-plus. The only thing I like is playing in front of a big audience.
“I just want to win that first match every week, so that I am guaranteed two points. Win the semis and finals if necessary. It's about putting points on the board.”