Luke Littler blows Gian Van Veen away in £1million World Championship masterclass and instantly creates 10-year first

Luke Littler was relentless and blew away Gian Van Veen in a devastating display to secure back-to-back PDC World Championship titles.

The defending champion looked invincible on his latest blitzing run to the final, which would see him meet fellow youth sensation Van Veen, to try and pick up his second consecutive Sid Waddell Trophy.

PDC

So much was at stake for ‘The Nuke’ who was looking in ominous form and keen to secure the first ever £1 million prize on stage at the Mecca of darts Ally Pally.

Littler was familiar in facing Dutch opposition in the final, having met legend Michael Van Gerwen last year whom he blew away to secure his maiden world title.

And this time out, it was yet another display of tungsten magic at the oche, which left ‘The Giant’ simply unable to match his brilliance over seven sets.

After losing the opening set it looked like it could be a close-run final, but Littler went through the gears and put on another simply breathtaking and unplayable display.

He left Van Veen completely unable to respond, as he battered his way to a sensational 7-1 demolition job, with a simply mind-blowing match average of 106.02.

It sees ‘The Nuke’ enter the history books once again, as one of just four players to win back-to-back Sid Waddell trophies.

He scoops the £1 million prize, and is the first player for 14 years to have defended his title since Gary Anderson completed the feat in 2015 and 2016.

The 18-year-old joins Anderson, Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor in an exclusive club of elite arrows magicians, and the records are set to keep tumbling.

As he sealed his victory, he roared in conjunction with the crowd, who were fully in his corner in raucous support.

His family including his Mum, Dad, friend Angry Ginge and girlfriend Faith Millar leapt from their seats in excitement as the final dart crashed into the outer ring.

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Littler’s win over Van Veen – how it happened

It was a cagey opening set and Van Veen drew first blood, but Littler lit up the second to draw level which sent the crowd into raptures.

In what felt a crucial turning point in the match, Littler pinned a big fish 170 checkout and in pulling his trademark celebration, secured the third set.

But proceedings quickly turned one-sided as the 18-year-old showed his experience on the biggest of stages and pulled away from his opponent.

He was on a rampage, and only the Ally Pally wasp could stop him, briefly preventing him from stepping up to the oche in the fourth set.

Although distracted, he showed his composure as he has done so much in his career, racing away into a 3-1 lead.

Despite Van Veen trying his best to respond when able, Littler was simply breathtaking and continued his march towards the trophy.

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