Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy known as “The Nuke,” has been setting the darts world ablaze with his relentless talent and unshakable composure. Fresh off a commanding 6-2 victory over Cameron Menzies in the second round of the 2025 Czech Darts Open, Littler has advanced to the final day of the tournament, held at Prague’s PVA Expo from September 5-7. On Sunday, September 7, the reigning world champion faces a formidable challenge in the round of 16 against Dutchman Gian van Veen, with the match scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local time (2:00 p.m. BST, 9:00 a.m. EST). This clash marks another step in Littler’s pursuit of back-to-back European Tour titles, following his thrilling triumph at the Flanders Darts Trophy just a week prior. As the stakes rise in Prague, Littler’s performance under the sweltering stage lights and intense competition underscores why he’s one of the sport’s brightest stars.
Littler’s journey to Day 3 was anything but straightforward. As a seeded player, he bypassed the first round, entering the fray on Saturday, September 6, against Menzies, who had earned his spot with a 6-3 upset over Ian White. The Scot, buzzing with excitement, called Littler “the best athlete in the world right now” before their match, admitting, “I’m absolutely buzzing to play him. He may absolutely leather me, but just to play him up here in this venue will be an experience.” Despite Menzies’ spirited effort, Littler’s precision shone through, securing the win with an average just shy of 99. However, the oppressive heat on stage posed an unexpected challenge. “It felt very hot,” Littler confessed post-match. “As soon as you stepped on that first step, I was like: Wow, this is hot. It started off really well and then, as the game went on, it started to drop a bit under the treble. I thought Cammy was going to get into it, but I just had to get over the line.” His ability to navigate both a tough opponent and uncomfortable conditions highlighted the resilience that has defined his meteoric rise.
The Czech Darts Open, the 11th of 14 PDC European Tour events in 2025, is a high-stakes affair with a £175,000 prize fund, including £30,000 for the winner. Littler, already a standout with titles in the World Matchplay, Australian Darts Masters, and New Zealand Darts Masters, is chasing his fourth European Tour crown. His Day 3 matchup against van Veen, a rising Dutch star, promises to be a test of skill and nerve. A victory would propel Littler into the quarterfinals Sunday evening, where he’d face the winner of an all-Welsh clash between Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton. “If Littler comes away with a win in his match against van Veen, he’ll play the winner of an all-Welsch clash between Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton in the quarterfinals Sunday night,” noted one observer, highlighting the potential for blockbuster matchups. Should he advance further, Littler could meet heavyweights like Michael van Gerwen, Josh Rock, or Ryan Searle in the semifinals, with the final set to cap a thrilling evening session.
Littler’s path to Prague hasn’t been without turbulence. The night before his second-round match, a late hotel arrival led to an unsettling encounter with an overzealous fan who grabbed him for a photo, prompting a sharp social media response: “Just came to the hotel in Prague, got a few pictures bearing in mind it’s 20 past 11 here. Someone has grabbed me and wanted a picture, you don’t grab someone just ask nicely, how hard is it?” The incident, coupled with criticism from another fan accusing him of “bad behaviour,” tested his patience, but Littler channeled the frustration into his performance, proving his mental fortitude. Supported by his girlfriend, Faith Millar, who joined him on tour amid his manager’s illness, Littler has leaned on a close circle to stay grounded.
The tournament itself is a showcase of darts’ elite. World No. 1 Luke Humphries, the defending champion, advanced with a scrappy 6-4 win over Dirk van Duijvenbode, while van Gerwen delivered a 6-0 whitewash over Mike De Decker, boasting a 112.73 average. The evening session on Day 3 will feature quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final, all contested over best-of-11 legs, with the final extending to best-of-15. Littler’s blistering form, including a 110.43 average against Nathan Aspinall in a previous European Tour event, makes him a favorite, but the Prague heat and a stacked field keep the pressure on. As he steps onto the oche against van Veen, Littler’s blend of raw talent and steely focus positions him as a force to be reckoned with, ready to cement his legacy in the cauldron of European Tour darts.
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