In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision meets pressure under the glaring lights, teenage sensation Luke Littler faced a heartbreaking setback at the 2025 European Championship in Dortmund, Germany. The 18-year-old prodigy, who has taken the sport by storm with his meteoric rise, was poised to claim the coveted world No. 1 ranking—a milestone that would have cemented his status as the game’s dominant force. However, a gritty performance from veteran James Wade dashed those dreams, leaving Littler out in the last 16 and reflecting on what could have been.
The match unfolded as a tense battle of wills, with Littler entering as the clear favorite after a year filled with remarkable achievements. Having burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old finalist at the World Championship two years prior, Littler has since amassed an impressive collection of titles, including major wins that have positioned him just behind reigning world No. 1 Luke Humphries in the PDC Order of Merit. A victory in Dortmund would have not only propelled him to the top spot but also added another prestigious European title to his growing trophy cabinet. The atmosphere in the Westfalenhalle was electric, with over 7,000 fans creating a cacophony that tested both players’ nerves.
From the outset, Wade, the 42-year-old left-hander known as “The Machine” for his mechanical consistency, seized the initiative. He raced to a 2-0 lead, capitalizing on Littler’s uncharacteristically slow start with a clinical 121 checkout in the second leg. Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke” for his explosive scoring power, responded with resilience, firing in a 13-darter to get on the board and punishing Wade’s missed darts to level at 2-2. The crowd’s energy surged as Littler edged ahead 3-2 before the first break, highlighted by an 81 checkout on the bullseye that drew a roar of approval from the young star himself.
The contest remained neck-and-neck, showcasing the contrast in styles: Littler’s youthful aggression against Wade’s seasoned board management. Wade regained control to lead 6-4, including an 84 checkout that kept the teenager at arm’s length. Littler fought back valiantly, drawing level at 6-6 and exchanging legs to make it 7-7. But in the decisive moments, missed doubles proved costly for Littler. He failed to hit tops and then double 10 in successive legs, allowing Wade to pull ahead. The veteran sealed the 10-7 victory with a masterful 108 finish, marking his first win over Littler in six televised encounters and avenging earlier defeats in the UK Open and World Matchplay finals.
This defeat not only ended Littler’s European Championship campaign but also halted his immediate ascent to world No. 1. Humphries, who has held the top ranking amid his own string of successes, including a recent World Grand Prix final appearance, remains in pole position. For Littler, the loss stings particularly because the opportunity was within grasp—winning the title would have guaranteed the overtake, especially after his strong form in the European Tour events leading up to the championship.
In the aftermath, Littler took to social media to express his raw emotions, sharing a candid reflection that captured the disappointment of the moment. “Had my chances so gutted I didn’t take them. Thanks germany crowd was good to me, heading home but back to it next week,” he posted, accompanied by a dart emoji that symbolized his determination to rebound. Despite the setback, Littler’s words hinted at his maturity beyond his years, acknowledging the missed opportunities while appreciating the supportive German fans—a crowd he had previously expressed mixed feelings about playing in front of.
Supporters rallied around the young star online, offering words of encouragement that underscored his popularity. One fan praised his overall year, saying, “Unfortunately, it wasn’t your game. But I’m so proud of how you played throughout the entire year. And see? We Germans aren’t so bad after all. 😉 On to the next tournament!” Another urged him to relax and recharge: “Unlucky today, bro. James doing James things but that’s darts. Fire the Xbox up and relax.” Messages like “Unlucky….come back stronger!” and “Unlucky, head up and go again, you’ve got years ahead of you to get to number 1!” flooded in, reminding Littler of the bright future ahead.
Wade, reveling in the upset, was forthright in his assessment during a post-match interview. “I don’t think Luke played very well in comparison. I should have run away with it a little bit more than I did,” he said. “I’m not lucky actually, I played better than him there and it’s a positive to move forwards.” His comments highlighted the fine margins in darts, where even a subpar performance from a talent like Littler can be exploited by an experienced campaigner. Wade’s victory propelled him into the quarter-finals, where he continued to dream of lifting the trophy and claiming the £120,000 top prize.
Meanwhile, the tournament pressed on with other drama. Humphries himself survived a scare in his match against Cameron Menzies, staging a comeback to advance. Reflecting on his performance, Humphries said, “I’m proud of the performance but more proud of the way I held myself in moments there when I felt frustrated. I was trying to hold myself together – very frustrating moments – but I did. The way I came back, I’m quite proud of that. That’s a really good performance.” He added, “When you’re winning games when you’re really under the cosh and things are going against you it’s quite pleasing for myself. I’m really pleased with that.” Humphries also noted distractions during the game but emphasized his focus on the win: “A few things did happen but I won and that’s all that mattered. Cameron is a fantastic player when he’s on song and in full flow. I had to work hard to stay with him.”
For Littler, this chapter closes with a mix of regret and resolve. At just 18, he has already achieved more than most players do in a career, and his pursuit of the world No. 1 spot is far from over. The Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton next month offers another shot at glory, where he could potentially dethrone Humphries. As the darts world watches, Littler’s journey continues to captivate, proving that even in defeat, his star burns brighter than ever. With his talent, work ethic, and fanbase, it’s only a matter of time before “The Nuke” detonates at the very top.
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