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‘Ridiculousness’ – Luke Littler was taunted by Michael van Gerwen in light-hearted Premier League Darts moment
Luke Littler’s quarter-final win over Michael van Gerwen at the Premier League Darts in 2024 featured a moment of playful rivalry. Van Gerwen teasingly poked fun at the Warrington-born Littler’s near nine-dart finish at last year’s event in Nottingham, showcasing the competitive spirit between the two. Van Gerwen poked fun at Littler’s near nine-dart finishGetty Littler secured a convincing 6-2 win, triumphantly reversing a streak of three consecutive losses to the Dutchman. The defining moment came as Littler aimed for glory with a nine-dart finish, needing only a double 12 after expertly landing two treble 20s. The crowd erupted with anticipation, but Littler’s final throw eluded him. With 247 remaining, Van Gerwen composedly hit two treble 20s followed by a cheeky double 12, mimicking Littler’s effort, and turned back with a smirk. Littler responded with a knowing laugh, fully aware of Van Gerwen’s playful jab, before firmly closing out the match. Commentator Wayne Mardle initially missed the light-hearted taunt, attributing Van Gerwen’s reaction to the ‘ridiculousness’ of Littler’s impressive play. The two had met earlier in the 2025 edition of the tournament on the opening night of the 17-week event, where Littler made a gesture of his own. Their encounter echoed the drama of January’s World Championship final. MVG narrowly edged past Littler in Belfast, winning 6-5 and gaining an early points lead over the teenager. Though initially ahead at 5-3 in the first to six contest, Van Gerwen found himself challenged as Littler fought back to win two consecutive legs. Littler reversed a streak of three consecutive losses to the DutchmanGetty Van Gerwen had a little smirk to himselfYouTube Ultimately, Van Gerwen maintained his composure, hitting a nervy double eight to secure his advancement. The three-time world champion faced a spirited crowd, their booing reverberating through the SSE Arena as he neared victory. Littler, despite their support, was less than pleased with such distractions, seen urging the crowd to quiet down with a raised hand and a wagging finger. Littler was seen instructing the crowd to stop the jeers by raising his hand and wagging his finger. During last year’s tournament, Littler’s high of victory over Van Gerwen, was short lived, as he later fell to Nathan Aspinall in the semi-final with a score of 6-3. Luke Humphries emerged victorious in the final, defeating Aspinall 6-3 to claim his second consecutive Premier League win and ascend to the top of the league table, displacing Van Gerwen. Littler beat Van Gerwen in the PDC World Darts Championship finalAFP Earlier this month, Littler celebrated a win at the Belgian Open. Entering the contest after winning it last year, he faced a crowd backing Mike De Decker but stayed unfazed, claiming an 8-5 victory. Throughout the tournament, Littler consistently delivered, averaging over 100 in four of his five matches, defeating notable players like James Wade, Dave Chisnall, Luke Woodhouse, and Ryan Searle on his way to the final. Claiming the championship not only earned him £30,000 but also thwarted De Decker’s bid for a historic triumph, which would have made him the first Belgian player to win a European Title on home soil. “I’m very happy to retain the title in front of these great fans,” Littler said after his Belgian Open win. “I said last year there should be a Premier League night here, and there should be! I said after the World Championship, if I didn’t win anything throughout the whole year, I would still be a world champion. “I’m happy to win the UK Open and come back here and go back-to-back; now it’s straight onto the Players Championship events and then back to the Premier League.” With his current trajectory, he’s on track to qualify for the playoffs in London, a venue where he previously bested Humphries. Littler was Premier League Darts champion last year and became the first player to hit a nine-dart finish in the final since Phil Taylor did the same feat twice in 2010. He became the youngest-ever major champion and put on a show in front of a record 14,000 fans at London’s O2 Arena as he stormed to an 11-7 victory. The tournament is next in action for night seven, next Thursday at the Utilita Arena, Cardiff.
Luke Littler’s quarter-final win over Michael van Gerwen at the Premier League Darts in 2024 featured a moment of playful rivalry.
Van Gerwen teasingly poked fun at the Warrington-born Littler’s near nine-dart finish at last year’s event in Nottingham, showcasing the competitive spirit between the two.
Littler secured a convincing 6-2 win, triumphantly reversing a streak of three consecutive losses to the Dutchman.
The defining moment came as Littler aimed for glory with a nine-dart finish, needing only a double 12 after expertly landing two treble 20s.
The crowd erupted with anticipation, but Littler’s final throw eluded him.
With 247 remaining, Van Gerwen composedly hit two treble 20s followed by a cheeky double 12, mimicking Littler’s effort, and turned back with a smirk.
Littler responded with a knowing laugh, fully aware of Van Gerwen’s playful jab, before firmly closing out the match.
Commentator Wayne Mardle initially missed the light-hearted taunt, attributing Van Gerwen’s reaction to the ‘ridiculousness’ of Littler’s impressive play.
The two had met earlier in the 2025 edition of the tournament on the opening night of the 17-week event, where Littler made a gesture of his own.
Their encounter echoed the drama of January’s World Championship final.
MVG narrowly edged past Littler in Belfast, winning 6-5 and gaining an early points lead over the teenager.
Though initially ahead at 5-3 in the first to six contest, Van Gerwen found himself challenged as Littler fought back to win two consecutive legs.
Ultimately, Van Gerwen maintained his composure, hitting a nervy double eight to secure his advancement.
The three-time world champion faced a spirited crowd, their booing reverberating through the SSE Arena as he neared victory.
Littler, despite their support, was less than pleased with such distractions, seen urging the crowd to quiet down with a raised hand and a wagging finger.
Littler was seen instructing the crowd to stop the jeers by raising his hand and wagging his finger.
During last year’s tournament, Littler’s high of victory over Van Gerwen, was short lived, as he later fell to Nathan Aspinall in the semi-final with a score of 6-3.
Luke Humphries emerged victorious in the final, defeating Aspinall 6-3 to claim his second consecutive Premier League win and ascend to the top of the league table, displacing Van Gerwen.
Earlier this month, Littler celebrated a win at the Belgian Open.
Entering the contest after winning it last year, he faced a crowd backing Mike De Decker but stayed unfazed, claiming an 8-5 victory.
Throughout the tournament, Littler consistently delivered, averaging over 100 in four of his five matches, defeating notable players like James Wade, Dave Chisnall, Luke Woodhouse, and Ryan Searle on his way to the final.
Claiming the championship not only earned him £30,000 but also thwarted De Decker’s bid for a historic triumph, which would have made him the first Belgian player to win a European Title on home soil.
“I’m very happy to retain the title in front of these great fans,” Littler said after his Belgian Open win.
“I said last year there should be a Premier League night here, and there should be! I said after the World Championship, if I didn’t win anything throughout the whole year, I would still be a world champion.
“I’m happy to win the UK Open and come back here and go back-to-back; now it’s straight onto the Players Championship events and then back to the Premier League.”
With his current trajectory, he’s on track to qualify for the playoffs in London, a venue where he previously bested Humphries.
Littler was Premier League Darts champion last year and became the first player to hit a nine-dart finish in the final since Phil Taylor did the same feat twice in 2010.
He became the youngest-ever major champion and put on a show in front of a record 14,000 fans at London’s O2 Arena as he stormed to an 11-7 victory.
The tournament is next in action for night seven, next Thursday at the Utilita Arena, Cardiff.
