Dimitri van den Bergh has claimed his maiden PDC ProTour title with a thrilling win over
Dirk van Duijvenbode to conclude PDC
Super Series 3 in Germany.
Van den Bergh went 3-0 and 7-5 later up as he looked to write the wrongs of two previous Players Championship final defeats but Van Duijvenbode forced a decider.
'The Dreammaker' though who has been in stunning form as of late both on the floor and on stage in the Premier League produced when it mattered to add a first to his collection.
Van den Bergh doubled his lead early doors with a 74 checkout to break as he punished a slow start from the Dutchman.
An 89 checkout on double five saw Van den Bergh consolidate to go 3-0 up. Both players produced 180's but it was Van Duijvenbode who produced a 47 checkout after both players missed 160+ checkouts on the bull.
The trebles started to dry up for Van den Bergh but after Van Duijvenbode missed bull for a 132, he returned for a 92 checkout and a hold at 4-1.
A 180 and 40 saw Van Duijvenbode hold to return it to a two leg cushion at 4-2. He mounted a charge on the Belgian's throw as he looked to settle into the tie.
Van den Bergh left 85 and had a go at it after a 118 wasn't pinned by Van Duijvenbode but the former strayed into double six which allowed the Dutchman back for a break at 4-3 down.
A timely 180 from Van den Bergh saw him down at 81 on Van Duijvenbode's throw to break straight back. But Van Duijvenbode grabbed parity after Van den Bergh messed up an opportunity to break straight back.
Van den Bergh reopened the gap with a clutch double eight to hold as he made it 5-4. Legs were running out but who would blink first?
Two big trebles for a 137 gave Van den Bergh a lead on Van Duijvenbode's throw. But he missed two more at doubles and Van Duijvenbode pinned D8 with his last dart to make it 5-5.
Van den Bergh once again took the lead and pinned a 116 checkout on double 18 to make it 6-5.
Van Duijvenbode missed double 20 for a 72 checkout and Van den Bergh made no mistake with a 104 checkout to make it 7-5.
A 180 from Van den Bergh gifted a shot at 72 but he missed double 18 for the title and Van Duijvenbode returned for double seven and a break back.
He left 40 from 127 to force a last leg decider. Van den Bergh was ahead with both having a nervy start but he smashed in a 180.
Van Duijvenbode replied in kind but he was relying on Van den Bergh missing more match darts at double 12 after laying up 156.
He pinned it first time to conclude a superb clash and a first ProTour title is finally there for 'Dancing Dimi'.
Last 16
Ron Meulenkamp (90.5) 5 | 6 (90.2) Daryl Gurney
Danny Noppert (104.2) 6 | 2 (93.5) Martijn Kleermaker
Krzysztof Kciuk (88.5) 5 | 6 (88.2) Scott Mitchell
Dimitri Van den Bergh (108.8) 6 | 1 (97.8) Ryan Searle
Michael Smith (100.9) 6 | 1 (93.0) Rowby-John Rodriguez
Robert Thornton (97.2) 6 | 3 (97.9) Ted Evetts
Simon Whitlock (95.9) 6 | 3 (92.6) Michael van Gerwen
Dirk van Duijvenbode (83.8) 6 | 3 (84.2) Mike De Decker
Quarter-Finals
Daryl Gurney (96.5) 4 | 6 (90.1) Danny Noppert
Scott Mitchell (91.8) 5 | 6 (97.1) Dimitri Van den Bergh
Michael Smith (91.1) 3 | 6 (88.3) Robert Thornton
Simon Whitlock (90.1) 0 | 6 (101.3) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Semi-Finals
Danny Noppert (78.9) 2 | 7 (89.1) Dimitri van den Bergh
Robert Thornton (92.1) 4 | 7 (98.7) Dirk van Duijvenbode
Final
Dimitri van den Bergh (95.8) 8 | 7 (92.9) Dirk van Duijvenbode