In a thrilling display of darts prowess at London’s O2 Arena, teenage sensation Luke Littler powered past Gerwyn Price with a 10-7 victory in the Premier League Darts semi-final, securing his spot in the final and inching closer to defending his 2024 title. The 18-year-old world champion, known as “The Nuke,” showcased his remarkable composure and skill, overcoming a mid-match deficit to book a showdown against either Luke Humphries or Nathan Aspinall for the 2025 Premier League crown.
The semi-final clash was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with both players trading blows in a high-stakes battle. Price, the 2021 world champion nicknamed “The Iceman,” came out firing, capitalizing on early opportunities to break Littler’s throw and take a commanding 6-4 lead. His precision on double 10 was a highlight, as he mopped up crucial legs with clinical finishing. Commentators noted Price’s confidence, with one remarking, “You can see Gerwyn Price thinks his A-game is good enough to beat Luke Littler tonight.” However, Littler, unfazed by the pressure, demonstrated why he’s the reigning champion and world number two. After Price’s double-five finish extended his lead, Littler took a moment off-stage to regroup, later explaining, “When he hit the double five to go 6-4 up, I took myself straight off stage. I needed to get myself up for it.”
What followed was a masterclass in resilience. Littler roared back, winning six of the final seven legs with a scintillating 104.6 average, leaving the raucous O2 crowd in awe. His ability to stay composed under pressure was evident as he nailed a 41 checkout to break Price’s throw and seal the match. With a single nine setting up double 16, Littler’s first dart awkwardly blocked the bed, but the second found its mark in the top corner, sparking wild celebrations. “Vintage Littler,” one observer enthused, highlighting the teenager’s knack for delivering in clutch moments. His six darts at 127, leaving double 20, showcased his precision, even if a slight overhit on double five briefly delayed the inevitable.
Littler’s journey to the final has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Warrington wonderkid, who became the youngest-ever world champion in January 2025 at just 17 years and 347 days, has dominated the 2025 Premier League season. Smashing records with six nightly wins and a staggering 45 points, he secured top seeding for the play-offs with weeks to spare. His semi-final performance against Price, a formidable opponent with a strong historical record against him, underscored his growth. Despite Price winning six of their prior encounters, Littler has now taken the last three, signaling a shift in their rivalry.
Price, for his part, remained a fierce competitor. The Welshman, who secured his play-off spot with nightly wins in Dublin, Nottingham, and Liverpool, brought his trademark intensity. His nine-dart finish earlier in the season in Aberdeen was a reminder of his pedigree, but Littler’s relentless pressure proved too much. “Gerwyn Price has to break Luke Littler twice now,” one analyst noted as the match slipped away from the Iceman, who couldn’t halt Littler’s late surge.
As Littler prepares for the final, the darts world buzzes with anticipation. Facing either world number one Luke Humphries, whom he’s met multiple times this season in thrilling encounters, or Nathan Aspinall, a tenacious play-off qualifier, Littler remains the favorite. His 2024 Premier League triumph over Humphries marked him as a prodigy, and now, at the O2, he’s poised to cement his legacy. “The dazzling world champion is looking a million dollars,” one pundit declared, capturing the sentiment of a sport captivated by Littler’s meteoric rise.
The O2 Arena, transformed into a cauldron of darts fervor, awaits a fitting finale. Littler’s ability to handle the pressure of a boisterous crowd, as seen when he shrugged off hostile Leeds fans earlier in the season, will serve him well. Whether he faces Humphries, with whom he’s traded epic battles, or Aspinall, who’s hungry for his first Premier League title, Littler’s blend of youth, talent, and mental fortitude makes him a formidable force. As the final looms, the question isn’t just whether Littler can retain his crown, but how much further this teenage phenom can push the boundaries of darts greatness.
# Luke Littler Triumphs Over Gerwyn Price in Premier League Semi-Final
## Match Recap
In a gripping semi-final at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, 2025, Luke Littler defeated Gerwyn Price 10-7 to advance to the Premier League Darts final. The 18-year-old world champion overcame a 6-4 deficit, reeling off six of the last seven legs with a 104.6 average. Price, the 2021 world champion, broke Littler’s throw multiple times early, but Littler’s late surge, capped by a clutch 41 checkout, secured his place in the final against either Luke Humphries or Nathan Aspinall.
## Key Moments
– **Early Exchanges**: Price took a 6-4 lead with precise finishing on double 10, prompting Littler to regroup off-stage. “When he hit the double five to go 6-4 up, I took myself straight off stage. I needed to get myself up for it,” Littler said.
– **Littler’s Comeback**: A 180 and a double 20 finish brought Littler within a leg, and his 41 checkout on double 16 sealed the victory. “Vintage Littler,” commentators noted, praising his composure.
– **Price’s Fight**: Price’s A-game was evident, with one observer stating, “You can see Gerwyn Price thinks his A-game is good enough to beat Luke Littler tonight.” Despite a strong start, he couldn’t counter Littler’s late dominance.
## Littler’s Season
Littler, the youngest-ever world champion, has dominated the 2025 Premier League, earning a record 45 points with six nightly wins. His top seeding was secured weeks ago, and his semi-final win over Price, a former nemesis, highlights his growth. “The dazzling world champion is looking a million dollars,” a pundit remarked.
## Looking Ahead
Littler now faces either Luke Humphries, the world number one, or Nathan Aspinall in the final. With a history of thrilling matches against Humphries and Aspinall’s play-off grit, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion. The O2 Arena, alive with darts passion, awaits Littler’s bid to retain his Premier League crown.
Leave a Reply