Luke Littler won the Players Championship Final as expected. At the World Cup dress rehearsal, the world champion ensured an extraordinary series with his consistency. After his win, the World Cup of Darts seeding list was set.
There are many facts and figures that describe Luke Littler’s extra class. Viewers can be dizzy with the best records and scores as against the 18-year-old talent of the century. On Sunday the young Englishman delivered new figures.
Littler not only won the Players Championship Final at Minehead, he also extended his excellent record by winning 11-8 in the final against a bravely fighting Nathan Aspinall. First the number chain:
- 112.73
- 105.33
- 104.70
- 103.73
- 104.38
- 100.08
- 104.46
- 107.15
- 102.67
- 107.88
- 108.48
- 103.33
Twelve marks representing his throwing average. At its premiere last year, he went straight to the final and played all six rounds. It was the same this time – with the crucial difference of winning the final this time after losing to Luke Humphries. What his twelve appearances at World Cup rehearsals have in common: without exception, Littler played an average of more than 100 points in each game. Amazing.
With his victory, he has now won almost all the important titles in his sport in a very short time: in addition to this year’s World Championship, the UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and the Grand Slam of Darts. By 2024 he had secured victory in the Premier League and won the World Series Final. From big events, he has now only missed three tournaments from his title collection. As a reminder, Littler is only playing his second year on the professional tour.
“I can now cross this off the list,” said Littler, who shifted focus to the highlights of the season just seconds after the final: “And now we’re looking forward to the big tournament next month.”
Subscribe to WELTMeister Spotify, Apple Podcasts or directly through RSS Feed.
At the World Masters, which was held for the first time this year as a ranking tournament, it was only enough to reach the quarter-finals. Perhaps it’s no coincidence: the other two tournaments he has yet to win took place on German soil. At the World Cup in Frankfurt, alongside Luke Humphries, he was knocked out in the last 16 against Germany. The European Darts Championship also ended in the round of 16.
But his attention has now turned to London, where the World Cup will be held from December 11. Littler is the defending champion, world number one and therefore also leading the seeding list, which has now been determined since his victory on Sunday night at Minehead.
As number 13, Martin Schindler enters the tournament higher than any previous German entry and will face England’s Ryan Searle in a possible third round at the event starting on December 11. Littler’s opponent was fellow countryman Joe Cullen.
“I don’t know where this kid gets his energy from. But he does a lot for our sport with his performances. He’s incredible,” said Aspinall, who returned to the top 16 in the world with his final appearance, of the new title holder, who dutifully returned his flowers: “It’s not easy to get to this final. And Nathan has been playing really well for a few weeks.”
Greaves was defeated by van Veen
Before the final, the world junior champion is traditionally decided at Minehead. For the first time, a woman, Beau Greaves, made it to the final. With his semi-final win two weeks ago, the 21-year-old prevented Luke Littler from winning a double this Sunday.
But in the final, the world’s best woman fell behind. Gian van Veen retained his title from last year and was crowned world junior champion again. The 23-year-old Dutchman won 6:3 and took home a prize of 12,000 pounds. Van Veen became the second player after Dimitri van den Bergh to win the title twice.
If Lutz Wockener He doesn’t really try any sports, he writes about darts and sports politics, but sometimes also something unusual like football.
Players Championship Final, results
Quarterfinals
- Daryl Gurney (NIR) – Gerwyn Price (WAL) 6:10
- Luke Littler (ENG) – Chris Dobey (ENG) 10:5
- Nathan Aspinall (ENG) – Josh Rock (NIR) 10:8
- James Wade (ENG) – Jermaine Wattimena (NED) 8:10
Semifinals
- Gerwyn Price (WAL) – Luke Littler (ENG) 8:11
- Nathan Aspinall (ENG) – Jermaine Wattimena (NED) 11-2
final
- Luke Littler (ENG) – Nathan Aspinall (ENG) 11:8
