Smith after Premier League final loss: “I will be back next year, determined to go one better and lift the title.”
NewsFriday, 18 May 2018 at 12:35
Michael Smith continued his progression which has been brilliant so far in 2018 by reaching his first major televised final in the form of the Premier League. Despite losing out to some brilliance from Michael van Gerwen, the St Helens ace can have his head held high after a brilliant second season in the competition.
At the start of the roadshow, dart fans were questioning his inclusion and he proved the doubters wrong by coming second in the league phase and second overall. Smith though held his hands up after his loss saying that Van Gerwen was just too good. He admitted his fight has improved as before he would have just thrown the towel in and that he is determined to be back next year to go one better. “I want to thank the fans and everyone who supported me,” said Smith, who was making his debut Play-Offs appearance. “Michael was just too good tonight, I tried my best but it just wasn’t enough on the night. “Even at 8-2 down I was battling to win legs, which I might not have done before this year when I might’ve thrown the towel in. “I will be back next year, determined to go one better and lift the title.”
Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I completely agree with Vincent's comments on "whistlegate". It's great to have someone with Vincent's exprience address this issue, so hopefully clearer and stricter guidlelines can be given to referees, security and members of the crowd. No whistling during throws, and something like: whistlers evicted and fined a hefty sum.
UndartedWaters19-11-2024 - Luke Littler played incredible darts yesterday in the semi-final and the final, heralding a new era of darts (along with some of the other brilliant young players who are emerging). And yet, at Luke's celebration feast, de Decker's ghost is Banquo to Littler's Macbeth, mournfully looking on.UndartedWaters18-11-2024
- Am not outraged and as said above i dont like anyone from any country doing it to anyone from any country. Whoever is going for a double should have best of order.Mysstree17-11-2024
- Say what? It happens in other countries; Littler in January - this year (Holland), go and watch the evidence on YouTube. If it is going to be done to English players, then we are more than entitled to dish the same back when players face off in England. When it happened to Littler in Holland in January... where was your outrage then? ABE attitude.MrYnyslas197117-11-2024
- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024