Fans were left in utter disbelief after witnessing an extraordinary matchup between 17-year-old Luke Littler and darts legend Michael van Gerwen at the Czech Darts Open. Littler, one of the sport’s rising stars, stunned the crowd and viewers alike by winning six consecutive legs to defeat the Dutchman 6-1, booking his spot in the semi-finals in what was one of the most remarkable performances in recent darts history.
The result was shocking not only for the scoreline but also for the context of the match. Van Gerwen, a three-time world champion and one of the most decorated players in darts, was playing some of his best darts. His average of 112.19 was the highest losing average ever recorded in the history of the PDC European Tour, underlining just how extraordinary the match was. Despite his seemingly unstoppable form, Van Gerwen found himself on the wrong side of the result, with Littler producing a near-flawless display to pull off the massive upset.
Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke,” wasn’t intimidated by the legend standing across from him. After losing the first leg to Van Gerwen, he shifted into a higher gear and played with a level of maturity and precision well beyond his years. He strung together six straight legs, with his own average soaring well above 110, and peppered the board with consistent high-scoring visits. The two players combined for 11 maximums during the match, delivering a spectacle that left fans in Prague and those watching at home awestruck.
As fans took to social media to process what they had just seen, the reactions poured in, with many struggling to understand how a player like Van Gerwen could lose so decisively despite playing so well. One fan wrote, “Silly darts and to be quite honest it makes me feel sick to the stomach,” expressing disbelief at the outcome. Another added, “Getting pumped 6-1 with a 112 average is criminal,” highlighting just how unusual it was for Van Gerwen to lose despite putting in such a solid performance. A third fan chimed in with, “Probably the best Euro Tour game of the year. Unreal standard from both. 112 average to lose 6-1 is some effort.” Others, equally perplexed, asked, “Can someone explain how MVG lost 6-1 with a 112 average?”
Even Van Gerwen himself was quick to acknowledge the unbelievable nature of the match. After the game, he posted a humorous photo on social media showing him playfully pretending to strangle Littler, captioning it with, “This is not gonna happen again. Fantastic game by @LukeTheNuke180, what a talent. All the best.” The exchange between the two players underscored the mutual respect and camaraderie that exists at the highest level of the sport, even after such a surprising result.
For his part, Littler was composed and gracious in his post-match interview. Reflecting on the contest, he said, “The first leg was very slow, Michael obviously won that leg. But after it, I just switched the gears, and I’ve done another 110-plus average.” Littler was well aware of the danger posed by Van Gerwen and knew he couldn’t afford to miss opportunities. “I had to pick my shots, everything I could, because I know Michael was right behind me. If I had finished it, he would have punished me.”
Littler also commented on the intensity of the match, particularly in terms of the sheer number of 180s hit. “I think that’s the most 180s I’ve ever been involved with. People can obviously check my past games. I think that was the most,” he said, clearly still coming to terms with the quality of the game he had just played.
Despite his heroics against Van Gerwen, Littler’s fairytale run in the Czech Darts Open came to an end in the semi-finals, where he faced fellow rising star Luke Humphries. The 17-year-old put up a strong fight but ultimately lost 7-4 to Humphries, who has been in scintillating form over the past year. Humphries, with his characteristic poise and power, went on to demolish Kim Huybrechts 8-1 in the final, capturing his tenth title in just over a year and cementing his status as one of the top players on the PDC circuit.
Littler’s performance at the Czech Darts Open, however, will be remembered for a long time. His back-to-back 110-plus averages in multiple matches throughout the tournament, including his demolition of Van Gerwen, announced his arrival on the big stage. For a 17-year-old to produce such an extraordinary level of consistency and composure against one of the sport’s all-time greats is a testament to his immense talent and potential.
Littler’s journey through the tournament is a sign of things to come in the world of darts. While Michael van Gerwen remains one of the sport’s dominant figures, the emergence of players like Littler and Humphries suggests a new generation is poised to challenge the established order. Fans can look forward to more thrilling battles as these young stars continue to develop their games and push the boundaries of what’s possible on the oche.
As Littler reflected on his run in the tournament, he remained grounded, aware of the work still to be done but proud of his accomplishments. “I’m happy with the way I played, and I’m learning every day,” he said. And if his performance against Van Gerwen is any indication, Littler’s learning curve is steep, and his future in darts looks exceptionally bright.