𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡 🏆 Luke Littler becomes the 2023 PDC World Youth champion after an incredible 6-4 victory over Gian van Veen in the final with a 102 average in a contest which featured 1️⃣3️⃣ 180s! 🤯
16-year-old darting prodigy Luke Littler downs Gian van Veen to win 2023 PDC World Youth Championship in spellbinding final
PDCSunday, 26 November 2023 at 22:04
With the main course of Michael van Gerwen v Luke Humphries to come, Luke Littler and Gian van Veen served up a darting treat in the final of the 2023 World Youth Championship on the Main Stage in Minehead.
Won 6-4 by Littler who will join the PDC Tour next year as one of the most exciting darting talents seen in a long time faced Van Veen who has already shown as a Tour Card holder his credentials for the future.
But the Dutchman had to come back from 5-1 down to force Littler to seal the match in a superb contest. He hit a 102 average and seven 180's to Van Veen's six as the match delivered on its billing.
To open up after 12 darts, Littler left a finish and pinned double eight to break. Van Veen opened up with a 180 and hit 121 on the bull for 1-1. Littler hit his first maximum and was averaging 107 and added another to leave 41 on Van Veen’s throw and took another break to go 2-1 up.
It was another maximum from Littler as the 16-year-old put on a show in Minehead. He missed bull for 121 but returned for double eight and went 3-1 up.
Van Veen opened his throw with another maximum. Littler hit a fourth in three legs and hit 140 to leave 81 pressuring Van Veen to take out 121 and he couldn’t meaning ‘The Nuke’ came back looking for a 4-1 lead.
He missed double 12 and Van Veen returned only to miss one at double 16 and Littler came back for double six. A fifth 180 for Littler followed and he was averaging 107 as he went towards a 5-1 lead. He missed two more at 81 on double 12 but returned for the same target to go one away.
Littler hit a sixth 180, Van Veen fired back to leave 94 and pinned double 16 to go 5-2 down as Littler was throwing for the match. A 12-dart break of throw saw Van Veen make it 5-3.
A seventh 180 left 57 for the match for Littler. Van Veen had to hit 120 to stay in it and he did so to make it 5-4.
Van Veen hit a 180 to leave 90 and missed double five allowing Littler back for double 20 to seal it.
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- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024
- @UndartedWaters I totally agree with your thoughts! I totally respect Kirk but in this instance I was disappointed with his lack of crowd control. I even turned to my husband and said "Could you imagine this happening if Russ Bray was the referee tonight? At least there would have been a crowd admonishment- Ladies and Gentleman please." I so felt for Mike DeDecker...MamaVenus15-11-2024