Seventh Premier League title would mean a lot to Van Gerwen: ''But it's not like I think: and now I'm going to cry''

Michael van Gerwen takes a shot at a seventh Premier League Darts title on Thursday night. The play-offs of the prestigious darts competition are scheduled for tonight at the O2 Arena in London.

Van Gerwen has already won the Premier League six times, sharing the record with darts legend Phil Taylor. With a new title, 'Mighty Mike' can only become record holder.

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However, the 34-year-old Brabander is not concerned himself for a moment with the possibility of taking that record. ''It is just a number and there is no point in putting extra pressure on yourself,'' Van Gerwen told AD.nl. ''Of course, it's nice to take that title, but even if it wouldn't be a record: I'll do my best anyway. All it says is that I have horrendous experience on these nights.''

Van Gerwen is only focusing on actually winning the title, which would mean a lot to the world number three. ''Of course it would mean something to me. One hundred percent. Tears? Haha, I don't know. Last year it was because I won a major tournament for the first time in a long time after corona. Emotions come and go. It's not like I think: and now I'm going to cry.''

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In the semi-finals, Van Gerwen faces reigning world champion Michael Smith. 'Bullyboy' won three of the last four rounds of play during the regular competition and thus seems to be the man in form, but the Dutchman does not quite agree.

''It's not that he wins with great power. You have to peak at the right moments and I know I can do that,'' Van Gerwen points to last year, when he ran away with the overall win. ''Then I didn't win anything in the final weeks either (then he captured his final weekly title in the ninth week of play, ed.) and this year I just have one more point than last year. The final night is a night where everyone can win from each other. Of course I can do better, but now the prizes are being distributed.''