Englishman Luke Littler and Dutchman Gian van Veen already met in the 2023 World Youth Championship final, and then the Englishman won 6-4. The two players in the best form of the tournament clashed again in the London final of the current World Cup of Darts. Since van Veen is also only 24 years old, we saw a historic final, such a young pairing has never been formed in the past. Their score was 3-3, now Littler is leading. But let’s move on.
There hasn’t been a race day since December 11 that the Alexandra Palace wasn’t full – it’s not really possible to get tickets for next year either – it doesn’t matter whether the afternoon or evening program was held. This time, six thousand people were waiting to see who the winner would be. It has become customary for fans to dress up in costumes, and it was the same this time. Personal experience of an average Wednesday night: in the pub closest to the event, there were the Jamaican bobsleigh, quite a few jockeys, three or four nuns, and the fans wearing the national colors were a treat. We just got in as the Teletubbies were just coming out.
Littler was the defending champion, he also defeated a Dutch competitor, Michael van Gerwen, last year. The bookies envisioned Littler’s success, they gave 1.4 times the money for his victory – they felt good.
First set:
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The first leg was taken by van Veen, he got off from 116. Littler quickly equalized and took away his opponent’s start, but because he could not bring his own, it was 2-2. Littler started with a 180 – his first of the match – but a good follow-up was lacking. Van Veen couldn’t finish from 170, the bull didn’t come after the two triple 20s. Littler also made mistakes, although he had several chances, and finally the Dutchman won the first game with a double 4.
Second set:
Van Veen now finished the first round from 145, and then 127 was no obstacle for him. Littler brought his own start, the Dutchman just missed the hundred-plus exit, and it cost him. In fact, actually into his game, because the Englishman made his own start, with which he equalized. (1-1) They both brought the set they started.
Third and fourth set:
Littler brought the crowd to their feet after he broke by throwing a 170, the biggest takeoff. In the fourth set, the Dutchman could not win a single match, Littler went 3-1, clearly took control and can keep his rival under constant pressure.
Fifth set:
A wasp wandered into the vicinity of the sign caused a temporary alarm. The adjacent hall of the Alexandra Palace is heated because of the heat-loving plants, he probably got lost from there. Littler didn’t bother, drove it off his tee and pulled this game in as well. It was not the first time that wasps went on stage, there was a competitor who was stung.
Sixth and seventh sets:
Van Veen couldn’t capitalize on Littler’s mistake in the first leg, he couldn’t focus enough on his exits in the second, and he lost this game without running a single leg of his strength. In the next game, the picture of the game did not change either, as the Dutchman threw two 180s in a row, but since the nine-arrow set did not come, Littler attacked mercilessly and already led 6-1.
Eighth set:
Littler played unwaveringly, but van Veen was more and more resigned, his body language did not suggest anything good. And the Englishman got out from 147, that is, he immediately threw the first arrow of the match and won his second world championship title. Littler became emotional after his success. He became a million pounds richer.
