Michael van Gerwen (MVG) has once again demonstrated his supreme darts prowess, claiming his 17th World Series title at the Bahrain Darts Masters. In a thrilling final against young compatriot Gian van Veen, MVG navigated a challenging path through the quarter-finals and semi-finals, overcoming top talents like Gerwyn Price and Stephen Bunting, to extend his record and set the stage for further dominance in the sport.
The Final: Experience Prevails Over Youth
The highly anticipated final pitted the seasoned ‘Mighty Mike’ against the rising star Gian van Veen. MVG started with characteristic aggression, quickly establishing a dominant 3-0 lead. However, Gian, showing remarkable composure for his age, capitalized on three missed darts from MVG to get on the scoreboard at 3-1. He then narrowed the gap further to 3-2 with a strong 12-dart leg, making it seem like a potential comeback was brewing.
MVG, however, is a master of seizing momentum. He quickly rallied, holding his own throw (winning a leg when it’s your turn to start) and then breaking Gian’s throw (winning a leg when your opponent started) after his opponent missed a crucial dart at ‘tops’ (the double 20 segment). This surge put MVG firmly in control at 6-2. Yet, the young Dutchman was not done. Gian fought back valiantly, winning three consecutive legs to make the score 6-5, creating palpable tension in the arena. Both players showed signs of nerves, but it was MVG who delivered the decisive blow.
The **crucial turning point** came when Gian, attempting to check out 121, failed to leave himself a double. MVG stepped up and clinically took out 103, pushing his lead to 7-5. Although Gian hit a maximum 180 in the next leg to make it 7-6, MVG held his nerve on his own throw, finishing 66 in two darts to seal the title. This victory marked MVG’s **17th and record-extending World Series title** in his 50th appearance, equalling Peter Wright’s record for appearances. He is set to make his 51st appearance next week in Saudi Arabia.
The Road to the Final: Quarter-Finals Drama
Luke Littler vs. Gerwyn Price
The evening began with a surprising clash between darts sensation Luke Littler and ‘The Iceman’ Gerwyn Price. Both players seemed off their best form, perhaps surprised to be playing the opening match. **Price emerged victorious with a commanding 6-2 scoreline**, a shock result given Littler’s recent form. Littler struggled significantly on his doubles, hitting only 20%, and averaged a modest 94.04. This marked his **first loss in 21 matches**, bringing an end to an impressive winning streak.
Michael van Gerwen vs. Stephen Bunting
MVG’s journey started against Stephen Bunting. Bunting began strongly, taking a 2-0 lead. However, MVG soon found his rhythm, and Bunting’s struggles on the doubles (also hitting just 20% for the match) allowed ‘Mighty Mike’ to take control, moving ahead 5-3. Despite Bunting breaking back to make it 5-4, he couldn’t hold his own throw in the next leg. Even with MVG missing some doubles, he eventually secured the leg and the match, winning 6-4.
Luke Humphries vs. Nathan Aspinall
The next quarter-final featured World Champion Luke Humphries against Nathan Aspinall. Humphries started well, building a 3-1 lead. However, in a pattern that has occasionally surfaced in his game, he seemed to lose concentration, fading as the match progressed. **Humphries lost five legs in a row**, ultimately losing 6-3, despite maintaining an impressive average of 100.86. This highlights Aspinall’s resilience and Humphries’ need to maintain focus throughout a match.
Danny Noppert vs. Gian van Veen
This all-Dutch encounter saw Gian van Veen take on Danny Noppert. Gian started strongly, leading 3-1. The match then experienced an unusual interruption: a **power cut at the arena plunged the venue into darkness**. After a brief delay and commercial break, play resumed. Noppert, despite having chances and a higher average (106.47 to Gian’s 104.31), struggled on his doubles, hitting only 1 of 6 attempts. Gian remained consistent and capitalized, winning convincingly 6-1.
The Penultimate Stage: Semi-Final Showdowns
Gerwyn Price vs. Michael van Gerwen
The first semi-final saw Gerwyn Price, fresh from beating Littler, take on MVG. Price, however, couldn’t replicate his quarter-final form. MVG quickly established a dominant 4-1 lead and, despite missing a dart for a 5-1 advantage, maintained his consistency to power ahead to a 6-2 victory. The final leg was a messy affair, with both players missing multiple doubles and going ‘bust’ (scoring more than needed to finish a leg), but MVG ultimately secured the win in a 25-dart leg. MVG finished with a 94.21 average and 28% on doubles, while Price managed 87.88 and a mere 12.5% on doubles.
Gian van Veen vs. Nathan Aspinall
The second semi-final was a tighter affair between Gian van Veen and Nathan Aspinall. The first seven legs went with the throw, with Gian holding a narrow 4-3 lead. The **only break of throw** in the match then occurred, with Gian capitalizing on missed darts from Aspinall to take a crucial 5-3 advantage. The next two legs also went with the throw, leaving Gian throwing for the match at 6-4 up. He successfully closed it out, leaving ‘The Asp’ on 4. Aspinall might regret a crucial error where he hit the bullseye instead of the 25 when on 65, only leaving himself one dart at a double. He also hit only one 180 and converted just 25% of his doubles (4 from 16), whereas Gian was more clinical, hitting 7 from 15 (46.67%).
The Bahrain Darts Masters culminated in an all-Dutch final, a battle of ‘Experience vs. Youth’. For now, experience triumphed, but the world of darts moves quickly, with the next World Series event already scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in the new venue of Saudi Arabia.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
