The Nuke Secures Another Win, But Cross Pushes Him All The Way

Advertorial: As darts fans would have probably noticed, in more recent weeks and months, you can barely browse the sports' news and headlines without having one or two mentions of Luke 'The Nuke' Littler given his incredible growth in the game.

The now 17 year old, already has numerous titles to his name from the youth circuits and in amongst his success, he is the current Professional Darts Corporation World Youth Champion, the current Bahrain Masters Champion and the current 2024 Belgian Darts Open Champion.

With nine dart finishes being a bit of a specialty, and now having two to his name on television coverage, he is back in the headlines this week owing to his Belgian Darts Open success and in current form, darts fans who like a small flutter could be tempted by Luke Littler at 11/4 as odds will certainly change as he continues to show his consistency.

Having progressed through to the European Tour, he made his debut on Sunday in the competition, and again closed the title out with a nine darter. Claiming the £30,000 winner's prize money, he beat Rob Cross out in Wieze 8-7 in what was an incredibly tight final match up.

The nine darter put him 6-5 up on his opponent, and whilst the youngster will undoubtedly continue to take the headlines from the win, all credit is due to his opponent as he simply pushed him all the way.

The teenager knew he had been in a right old battle, and with him then losing the next two legs after hitting the nine, he had to admit he was 'just glad to get over the line' against a player (growing friend) that helps bring the best out of him. He also had his own praise for Cross for the challenge he posed, ensuring that they both fought out a 'good game' and had to push themselves right until 'the last leg'.

Competing his ninth European Tour final, 33 year old Cross was equally gracious in defeat, even though he was understandably very frustrated as his own average across the game was very impressive as well.

Having praised Littler for constantly pushing on, even though he knows he missing a couple of opportunities he was pretty happy with the 'big display' he put in himself, and he praised the crowd for their enthusiasm and support across the darts weekend, but returning to his opponent to state.

"This young man has got such a bright future in front of him. The nine-darter was impeccable, amazing. This boy's special."

There can be very few people involved in the game that will not fully buy in to Cross's words on the future that it seems the 17 year old will now inevitably have in the game.

Not least given the World Championship runner up made 30 maximum 180's on his way to the title, which is now a new European Tour record.