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Luke Littler celebrates with the Sid Waddell trophy after victory against Gian van Veen after the final of the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace: John Walton/PA Wire.
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Luke Littler celebrates victory against Gian van Veen after the final of the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace, London
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Gian van Veen in action against Luke Littler in the final of the World Darts Championship at the Alexandra Palace: John Walton/PA Wire.
Luke Littler overcame the Ally Pally wasp to thrash Gian van Veen and cement his position as one of the greats of the sport after winning back-to-back World Championship titles.
The 18-year-old joins Phil Taylor, Adrian Lewis and Gary Anderson in winning successive crowns and he is the new king of Alexandra Palace.
Littler burst onto the scene with an epic debut run to the final two years ago and has not lost on that stage since after a masterful 7-1 win over Van Veen, which earned him a record £1million prize cheque.
With an average of almost 106, 15 maximums and a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout, this was one of the great final performances.
He has become the first man to retain his Ally Pally title since Gary Anderson a decade ago and reflected on his win with impressive maturity.
“I started playing better from the second set,” said Littler. “The first set, I wasn’t happy going into the break but I had to kick on from there.
“I said to myself, ‘give it time, you will find it’. I started off from the left of the oche and moved over to the right. It all came to plan.
“Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy. Every set he was there and behind me. I had to take my chances.”
The 18-year-old won £1million for his second world title win, with that windfall hard for him to comprehend.
“It is life-changing. Even for this tournament, the first round was doubled.
“This win has increased that gap from Luke Humphries and I’m in the clear for No 1.”
Here is how he did it in our live blog.
Luke Littler 7-1 Gian van Veen
That’s all for tonight folks. Luke Littler is your back-to-back World Champion Legendary! Goodnight!
Watch as Luke Littler lifts the Sid Waddell Trophy
Watch as Littler wins the World title
Luke Littler 7-1 Gian van Veen – LUKE LITTLER IS THE WORLD CHAMPION It’s a magical finish. 147. T20 T19 D15 and he is the World Darts Champion.*(6) Luke Littler 2-1 Gian van Veen (1)Littler holds throw and moves to within one of the World title.*(6) Luke Littler 1-1 Gian van Veen (1)van Veen levels and let’s out a sarcastic smile.(6) Luke Littler 1-0 Gian van Veen (1)*Littler holds his throw and moves another step closer to glory.Luke Littler 6-1 Gian van Veen – LITTLER PUNISHES VAN VEEN TO MOVE A SET AWAY FROM GLORYLittler pins double tops to win the seventh set, and he is now one set away from back to back World titles.(5) Luke Littler 1-0 Gian van Veen (1)*Littler nails double 10 to break the van Veen throw.
Luke Littler 5-1 Gian van Veen – LITTLER WINS SET SIX TO MOVE CLOSER TO VICTORY
*(4) Luke Littler 1-0 Gian van Veen (1)
Littler pins double 10 to hold throw in the sixth set.
Watch as the Ally Pally wasp strikes!
Luke Littler 4-1 Gian van Veen – :Littler romps the fifth set to take full control
Double 10 for Littler as he goes 4-1 ahead in this final. He is clinical!
(3) Luke Littler 2-1 Gian van Veen (1)*Littler breaks the van Veen throw on tops to take control and throw for the set.*(3) Luke Littler 1-1 Gian van Veen (1)That is clinical from Littler despite the attempts of the Ally Pally wasp.(3) Luke Littler 0-1 Gian van Veen (1)*Brilliance from van Veen as he pins t-19-tops-tops to hold throw.This set is huge!van Veen has the darts.Luke Littler 3-1 Gian van Veen – LITTLER EXTENDS HIS LEAD Brilliance from Littler as he goes 3 sets to 1 ahead, and he is currently in control.(2) Luke Littler 2-0 Gian van Veen (1)*Littler breaks the van Veen throw.