CULLEN IS THE CHAMPION 🏆 Joe Cullen wins his second ever European Tour title, beating Michael van Gerwen 8-5 to win the 2020 International Darts Open! He will be the number one seed at the European Championships too!
Cullen claims second European Tour title after superb victory against Van Gerwen in International Darts Open Final
PDCSunday, 25 October 2020 at 22:53
Joe Cullen has added a second European Tour title after defeating Michael van Gerwen in a magnificent display in the International Darts Open Final.
Cullen won through in an 8-5 win with four 180's and 53% on the doubles, with the World Number One down at 35% with a 91 average.
He won by the same scoreline and defeating the same opponent in claiming his maiden European Tour title last September at the European Darts Matchplay. He will also be top seed for the European Championship next weekend.
Van Gerwen took the first leg on his throw with a 116
checkout as he looked to send a message early doors. This continued with MVG going 180-136 to begin Cullen’s throw
and he left 100 but he missed the opportunity to break on double 20 which
allowed Cullen to hold.
Van Gerwen left himself 60 on his throw but missed it.
Cullen though couldn’t pounce despite a 130 set up shot to leave 95. This meant
MVG hit double 10 move 2-1 in front.
Van Gerwen missed double 20 to break from a 78 checkout and
Cullen hit 36 to make it 2-2 and hold his throw in the early going. It was Cullen’s turn to go for a break as he missed bull for
a 170 but with Van Gerwen not able to pin 107, ‘The Rockstar’ was back for 25
which he pinned to go 3-2 up.
A hold on double 16 saw Cullen take a two leg gap at 4-2 up.
Van Gerwen missed 92 aiming to hit two double 18’s but Cullen only left 140
which meant MVG came back to hold on double nine.
A 180 and double eight saw Cullen extend this lead to 5-3 as
he used his break to go three away. MVG hit double 10 to hold and go one behind
once more.
Could he attack the Cullen throw to put it back on throw? It
was a poor leg to begin from the Bradford ace but a timely 180 saw him well
ahead leaving 59 which he pinned. They were both on 152 on Van Gerwen’s throw but the World
Number One left 62 which he pinned to hold.
The crowd whistled on 97 and Cullen didn’t hit it but he did
on double seven last dart in hand next time to go one away at 7-5 up. A 180 on Van Gerwen’s
throw put Cullen first to a finish and with the former on 114, it was now or
never. He couldn’t leave a shot though and Cullen was left 57 to
win which he pinned to become champion.
International Darts Open 2020 Schedule - Evening Session
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen (102.18) 6-3 (99.79) James Wade
Krzysztof Ratajski (102.29) 5-6 (99.63) Mensur Suljovic
Ross Smith (100) 4-6 (99.02) Joe Cullen
Michael Smith (98.55) 6-1 (93.12) Danny Noppert
Semi-Finals
Michael van Gerwen (88.91) 7-6 (92.01) Mensur Suljovic
Joe Cullen (96.14) 7-3 (89.96) Michael Smith
Final
Michael van Gerwen (91.37) 5-8 (97.32) Joe Cullen
Just in
Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter today!
Oct 20, 22:28
0
Popular news
Latest comments
- With the general noise / buzz coming from the crowd can a player seriously believe he can hear darts rattling in the other players hand?Mysstree23-11-2024
- Oh, dear... how will we cope now?MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- They really are going through an insipid spell - at present.MrYnyslas197122-11-2024
- Well done Mike – good to move on and look to the future. With his talent, and increasing confidence on stage, he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the month ahead.
UndartedWaters22-11-2024 - It's called talent and good on him.medinabello21-11-2024