Littler’s Masterclass Delivers Back-to-Back World Titles
Luke Littler delivers a stunning darts masterclass, crushing Gian van Veen 7-1 to retain the PDC World Championship and cement his dominance.
Luke Littler produced a stunning performance to defeat Gian van Veen 7-1 and win the PDC World Championship for the second consecutive year.
The 18-year-old Englishman becomes only the fourth player to win the title in back-to-back years, joining an elite group that includes Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis, and Gary Anderson.
This is his second victory in just his third appearance at Alexandra Palace, meaning only Taylor (14) and Michael van Gerwen (three) have more PDC World titles than Littler.
And while Littler is still 12 titles behind Taylor's PDC record, the dominant display he put on against van Veen will only fuel further discussion that 'The Nuke' might just achieve what once seemed impossible.
"It's so special," Littler told Sky Sports. "We've got to keep going, we've got to win more titles. We can't stop here. We're still on this rollercoaster."
Littler maintained an average of over 107 for much of the match, eventually finishing on 106.02, leaving van Veen – who averaged just under 100 – helpless.
Having established such a commanding lead, Littler finished the match in style with a 147 checkout and then let out a roar as he turned to the crowd who had supported him throughout the final.
With the £1 million prize money secured, tears welled up in his eyes as van Veen congratulated him, before Olympic cycling great Sir Chris Hoy presented him with the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Littler dominates van Veen with a stunning performance
Van Veen, who will rise to number three in the PDC World rankings and will play in the Premier League for the first time after reaching the final, made a good start to the biggest match of his life. The 23-year-old Dutchman scored 116 for a 12-darter and won the first leg to take the first set.
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But that was as good as it got for him, as Littler then produced a stunning display. Checkouts of 145 and 127 to start the second set weren't enough for Van Veen, as his teenage opponent fought back and levelled the match with a 116 checkout of his own.
Things got even better for the champion when he won the third set with a huge score – a maximum 170 checkout – and then took the fourth set to go 3-1 up, winning nine of the last 10 legs.
Van Veen tried to get himself back into the match with a 137 checkout at the start of the fifth set, but the only thing that troubled Littler was the return of the Ally Pally wasp.
Even that couldn't help Van Veen, as Littler relentlessly pushed on, and finished with a flourish to seal his latest triumph.
"Tonight my scoring probably wasn't my best game of the whole tournament," Van Veen told Sky Sports.
"Luke wasn't in the mood to give me any more chances. He played brilliantly.
"I missed a lot of chances to level the game." That's why he's now the world number one by such a huge margin and a two-time consecutive world champion."
Retaining his world title caps a remarkable year for Littler, in which he has completely dominated the world of darts.
He has won five major titles, including the World Matchplay to complete the darts Triple Crown, as well as the UK Open, Grand Slam of Darts, and World Grand Prix.
"I think we're underestimating him; I think he's better than everyone says he is."
Speaking on Sky Sports, five-time World Championship semi-finalist Wayne Mardle said: "There's nothing on the dartboard that he can't do.
"It was like Phil Taylor; when he played well, he won. When he plays well, he wins. That's really what it's about at the moment.
"The format doesn't matter anymore. He's just the best."
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