Luke Littler suffers defeat against Michael van Gerwen in Premier League Darts opener - as Dutch star clinches thrilling last-leg decider in Belfast
Luke Littler suffers defeat against Michael van Gerwen in Premier League Darts opener - as Dutch star clinches thrilling last-leg decider in Belfast
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Luke Littler fell to a 6-4 defeat in his Premier League Darts opener against Michael van Gerwen on Thursday evening. There had been plenty of debate surrounding Littler, 18, ahead of the competition - after he turned up late for a photoshoot with his rival players. Perhaps that was in the forefront of Van Gerwen's mind as he clinched a thrilling last-leg decider against the teenager to secure a vital win on the opening night.
![[The teenager was beaten 6-4 by his Dutch rival in his Premier League darts opener]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/06/21/94947777-14369887-image-a-35_1738876500703.jpg)
Despite the loss, Littler still scored an impressive 113.91 average on the night - which is a record in Belfast for a defeat. Van Gerwen's victory over Littler comes just days after the Dutchman called out his 18-year-old rival and said he 'has to learn' after oversleeping for a photoshoot. Eight players were due to get in front of the cameras for a pre-event photoshoot in Belfast on Wednesday afternoon, but Littler arrived 45 minutes late after over-sleeping.
![[Littler has admitted van Gerwen was 'not wrong' following his criticism over his lateness]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/06/21/94945509-14369887-Luke_Littler_has_admitted_Michael_van_Gerwen_was_not_wrong_follo-a-45_1738876831801.jpg)
Michael van Gerwen triumphed against Luke Littler when they met on Thursday evening. The teenager was beaten 6-4 by his Dutch rival in his Premier League darts opener. Seven-time Premier League champion Van Gerwen was vocal in his criticism of Littler, while he suggested PDC bosses were treating the 18-year-old like a baby. Van Gerwen said: '45 minutes late, you mean. They need to stop treating him like a baby. He's not a baby anymore, he's 18-years-old now.
'It happens. He has to learn. You have to learn the hard way. It's a professional sport so you have to be responsible for your actions. Simple as that. 'If he turns up late for an interview, I don't mind! But seven other people are waiting for him. That's not very nice, is it?'. Littler did eventually turn up and the photoshoot took place as scheduled. Ahead of his meeting with Van Gerwen in the Premier League on Thursday, a rematch of the World Championship final, Littler acknowledged his rival had a point.
‘I always let my darts do the talking, Littler told Sky Sports. ‘But he’s not wrong, I was late. Littler has admitted van Gerwen was 'not wrong' following his criticism over his lateness. ‘Now I am 18, I am responsible for my actions and I did get a little telling off’. Littler had issued his reply with a smile, with back and forth building up the anticipation for their latest meeting. The rivalry between Littler and Van Gerwen has been building in recent months and came to a head at the World Championship as they met in the final at Alexandra Palace.
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