The darts world witnessed a pulsating final at the inaugural Poland Darts Open, where teenage sensation Luke Littler once again showcased his unparalleled talent to clinch the title. Despite a monumental effort from Gian van Veen, who electrified the arena with a spectacular nine-dart finish – his first ever on stage – it was ‘The Nuke’ who ultimately emerged victorious, extending his dominant run on the European Tour circuit.
A Clash of Titans in Krakow
The vibrant Polish crowd in Krakow was treated to an unforgettable spectacle as the final of the first-ever European Tour event in Poland pitted two of darts’ most exciting talents against each other. The highly anticipated showdown between Luke Littler and Gian van Veen promised fireworks, with both players eager to claim the prestigious title and begin the European circuit season undefeated.
From the outset, both competitors demonstrated their intent to entertain. Littler kicked off with a rapid 14-darter, immediately answered by Van Veen’s impressive 112 checkout. The pace continued relentlessly, with Littler securing another leg in just 12 darts, only for Van Veen to respond with a sharp 14-darter of his own.
Van Veen’s Historic Nine-Darter
The absolute highlight of the entire tournament unfolded in leg five. With Littler on throw, Gian van Veen began with two perfect scores of 180. The tension was palpable as he stepped up for his third visit, and with pinpoint precision, arrows seven, eight, and nine found their mark. The darting world held its breath, then erupted as ‘The Giant’ completed a flawless nine-dart finish – the ultimate achievement in darts, requiring the minimum number of throws to check out from 501. It marked Van Veen’s first-ever televised nine-darter, sending the Krakau arena into raptures.
(For those unfamiliar, a nine-dart finish is the dart equivalent of a perfect game in baseball or a 147 break in snooker. It’s the fastest way to complete a leg of 501, requiring incredible accuracy and nerve to hit specific high scores and a double finish in just nine throws.)
Littler Capitalizes on Nerves to Seal Victory
However, the sheer adrenaline of his historic achievement seemed to momentarily affect Van Veen. ‘The Nuke’ seized this critical opportunity, demonstrating his championship composure. Littler found legs in 20, 14, and 14 darts, swiftly turning the tide and establishing a commanding 5-3 lead. He then inflicted further damage with another clinical 12-darter, leaving Van Veen struggling to keep pace.
Van Veen managed to hold his own throw one last time with a tidy 74-finish, but it was too little, too late. Ultimately, he could only applaud as Littler, with his average soaring, sealed the match with a final 13-darter, becoming the inaugural champion of the Poland Darts Open.
Match Statistics: A Masterclass in Scoring
The final statistics underscored the high level of play:
- Luke Littler:
- Average: 108.06
- Double Percentage: 47.1%
- Gian van Veen:
- Average: 96.11
- Double Percentage: 36.4%
This thrilling final not only cemented Luke Littler’s status as a dominant force but also provided a memorable moment for Gian van Veen and the sport of darts, proving that even in defeat, brilliance can shine brightest.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
