World Champion Luke Littler recently addressed the controversial end to his Premier League Darts match against Gian van Veen. The match, held earlier this month in Manchester, stirred up significant emotions between the two competitors, culminating in Littler labeling Van Veen a “cry baby.”
Background of the Match
The match featured a dramatic deciding leg, which Van Veen won amid controversy. Littler expressed his frustration after Van Veen appeared to celebrate while throwing match darts, leading to a tense atmosphere. In the aftermath, Van Veen accused Littler of poor sportsmanship for cheering towards the crowd.
Littler’s Perspective
- Littler felt that van Veen’s actions were disrespectful.
- He noted that Van Veen put down his darts before finishing the match.
- Littler insisted there was no need for Van Veen’s stare, as he still had darts in his hand.
In an interview with Online Darts, Littler shared his perspective on the situation. He emphasized that Van Veen’s decision to set down his darts surprised him. “I think he’s the one who’s not doing his job,” Littler commented, adding that he celebrated to acknowledge his girlfriend and her father rather than to provoke Van Veen.
Post-Match Reflection
Following this match, Littler faced a challenging performance in Brighton, achieving an 83.94 average in a 6-4 defeat to Stephen Bunting. He attributed this underwhelming display to limited practice time and a lack of motivation. “I didn’t want to be there,” he admitted.
The Rivalry Continues
Littler and Van Veen have not spoken since the altercation. They practiced separately before their matches, which Littler noted is common in professional darts. He expressed confidence that the rivalry would continue to attract interest among fans.
Looking Ahead
Both players have the potential to meet again in the semi-finals at the upcoming Premier League Darts event in Rotterdam. Littler seems eager to address the situation face-to-face, stating, “I’m sure we will.”
The ongoing rivalry has sparked interest, with Littler mentioning that it will only add to the excitement of future matches. As this season unfolds, the appeal of Premier League Darts continues to grow.
