"I’m not done yet, you understand?": Michael van Gerwen beams with pride after 'unexpected title in Amsterdam'

Michael van Gerwen brought an end to a two-year wait for a PDC title on home soil, as he lifted the World Series of Darts Finals for a sixth time in Amsterdam. In a raucous AFAS Live on Sunday night, the 36-year-old Brabander defeated teenage rival Luke Littler 11-7 in a gripping final to reclaim the crown.

The three-time world champion adds yet another accolade to his glittering CV, having previously triumphed in this event in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2023. Since his last victory, however, major success had eluded him – making this triumph all the sweeter in front of a partisan Dutch crowd. “Yes indeed, this is the most beautiful moment there is,” Van Gerwen told Viaplay afterwards. “We all know where I’ve come from, and to show this in front of your own crowd... that’s great.”

Van Gerwen’s path to glory was anything but straightforward. He survived match darts in both his opener against Wessel Nijman and his quarter-final clash with Rob Cross. Yet when the pressure mounted, ‘Mighty Mike’ rose to the occasion. On finals day he swept aside world number one Luke Humphries with a 106 average before powering past Josh Rock 11-6, hinting that the vintage Van Gerwen had returned.

That resurgence set up a repeat of January’s World Championship final, this time with a partisan Amsterdam crowd roaring him on. Against Littler, Van Gerwen pulled clear midway through the contest and never looked back, sealing an 11-7 victory to the delight of the Dutch faithful. “I play tournaments all year, everywhere, and there’s always a lot of pressure,” he explained. “But to show it in front of your own crowd, that’s very satisfying. I hope this is the beginning of a lot of great things.”

With the Grand Slam of Darts and World Championship looming, Van Gerwen believes his return to top form comes at just the right time. “Yes, expectations will definitely be high,” he said. “But then they can all get their chests wet, because I’m not done yet, you understand? I love the game, and to show this means a lot.”

Asked whether his trademark fighting spirit is officially back, Van Gerwen grinned: “Yes, definitely. Never been away. But once in a while it has to click, too.”