by There is so much energy going through the darts right now that a record 14,000 people will fill the sold-out O2 Arena tonight for the Premier League final. Five months on from the World Championship, the Luke Littler effect is still a powerful force.
There were naturally some questions about whether the 17-year-old could handle the rigors of the Premier League, but over the course of 16 weekly nights Littler not only matched the sport’s established kings but rose above them, finishing on top of the standings with 40 points.
Four players have qualified for the finals: Littler faces Michael Smith in the first best-of-19 semi-final of the evening, before world No. 1 Luke Humphries takes on Michael van Gerwen in the other. Littler will have the majority of the crowd’s support, but a case could be made for any of the four to take the title away.
The Premier League’s exact place among darts’ most prestigious events is unclear, but every night is worth watching for its high-grade exclusivity element – the top eight players invited to a series endless streak of winning games. Littler already has a number of titles on his CV, but given the competition and perseverance required, the Premier League would be the most significant milestone yet on his journey to the sport’s summit.
“I would be happy to win it,” he said with a laugh on Wednesday. “I’m only young, I’m living my dream, but if I get my hands on the trophy, I’ll be happy.”
Each of the four finalists dominated the 16 weeks. Van Gerwen won three of the first four nights for all but secured his place in the play-offs, although he has only made two finals in the last 12 nights. But Van Gerwen is a seven-time Premier League champion, chasing three in a row, with the best check percentage of them all during this Premier League campaign, and games are ultimately won at checks. .
“I’m not the best but nobody will bet against me,” he said. “Both Lúcás, they’ve never been in the night finals, it’s another pressure for them, they’ve never won this competition. [Luke Humphries] Playing is great. Everything is still nice to him, everything is wonderful, everything is new. But finals night is different. A different format, a completely different game, a different atmosphere… I’ve been in this position many times.”
Humphries certainly looked nervous and tense coming into his Premier League debut as a world champion, as if battling some sort of imposter syndrome. But since week five he has thrown darts and behaved as if it were anyone’s world, winning three nights in a row to send himself top of the table at the halfway point. Humphries managed the highest clocking average across the league and was hard to put out of the picture once he found his rhythm.
“It would be nice to finish that first year as world champion by being Premier League champion as well,” he said. “[Van Gerwen] He’s a seven-time winner, this is where he lives, the Premier League is his territory, so it’s my job to try and knock him out.”
Littler also got off to a slow start to his campaign, and later admitted he was struggling with the tough schedule that sent the players to a new location in Europe every week. After eight rounds he was fifth in the standings without a single night win. But in Belfast his game clicked into gear, winning night nine with an over-the-top check out of 125 in the final, beating bull, bull out, bull – so well that his opponent, Nathan Aspinall, was laughed out of sight. .
Littler won in Manchester in front of the closest home crowd, then won back-to-back nights in Liverpool (where he inspired the crowd over a football score) and Aberdeen to book his place in tonight’s play-offs. He was the most consistent player, winning 13 and losing just three of his 16 quarter-final matches. And he has the ability to pull off magical combinations when he needs them.
But Littler’s semifinal opponent is a nemesis. Smith also won the first night and the last, and arrives in London with form and confidence. His record against Littler this Premier League season reads 5 wins, 2 losses – Smith will have no fear going into their game.
When that particular statistic was mentioned on Wednesday, Littler responded with typically bullish confidence. “But I might win when it matters most,” he said with a grin. If Littler beats Smith, he could face Humphries in the World Championship final again.
It’s finely balanced, and Humphries is the edge favorite in most quarters. But he said earlier this season that there are two players who can beat him at his best – Van Gerwen and Littler. And he may have to beat both to win the trophy.
