Manager Jan van Veen said Luke Littler was “not feeling well” after defeating world number one in a heated Premier League darts quarter-final match in Manchester on Thursday.
Littler had shot to the top of the table with back-to-back wins in Dublin and Berlin and was the heavy favorite at home at the AO Arena, but the 19-year-old’s hopes of winning a third consecutive Premier League title were quickly dashed by Van Veen.
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Highlights of Littler and Van Veen’s quarterfinals
Littler, who is a big Manchester United fan and comes from nearby Warrington, was not at his best in a tense 6-5 loss to Dutchman Van Veen and missed out on a decisive chance.
Van Veen hasn’t won a game since the fourth week of the tournament and is still recovering from a kidney stone that forced him to miss the match in Dublin. But as he increased his lead to 4-1, he knew exactly what he meant.
Littler improved to 4-3, and van Veen’s chances seemed to be gone by his failure to hit a double in the game at 5-3, but the world champion tied the score.
Van Veen’s nervousness was evident as he fluffed the line and weaved between the pair for double 15, Littler only made an angry gesture at his rival and surprisingly missed the chance.
Director Van Veen did not allow Littler to visit again, and there was a brief handshake between the two before the home star left the stage.
Littler tearfully mocks Van Veen after being accused of celebrating missing a dart
“I was hitting 90 and missed a double 15 on the inside and then I saw him celebrating to the crowd. I don’t think that’s normal,” the 23-year-old Dutch ace told Sky Sports. “And he also makes a crying gesture.
“He’s a great darts player, but today he showed he’s not an underdog. It’s really frustrating that he takes pleasure in his opponent’s mistakes.
“So I gave him a look and the fact that he then missed three darts on the double, that’s his problem.
“He was celebrating that I missed a double 15, which is wrong. I was upset about it, and he missed three darts on a double 7.
“Then he looked at me like I was the problem. He was probably annoyed.
“That’s my view, but his view is probably different.
“I love Luke with all my heart. The attention he brings to this sport is phenomenal, but today was my day.”
Mardle: Littler stuck his hand in the cookie jar.
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Wayne Mardle takes a closer look at the causes of the fiery ending to Littler and Van Veen’s quarterfinal match
“I know exactly what happened,” Mardle explained. “Van Veen went inside on D15 and Luke was happy about it, so Simon Whitlock complimented him and said, ‘Well done.’
“He shouldn’t have done that, and he did it, and Gian looked back and thought, ‘Why did I do that?’
“I can lip read, but I won’t repeat what Luke said because I don’t want to file a notice. I have to say Gian handled it better.”
Ms Mardle later added: “Luke did something he shouldn’t have done and it was an occasion[to celebrate]but Gian was not expecting to see Luke.”
“He stuck his hand in the cookie jar. He won’t do that again!”
Reacting to the controversial defeat, Littler posted his own TV title list with the caption: “Good night, God bless you, thank you Manchester”, covering up Van Veen’s exit in the last 16 of the European Championship, where he is the reigning champion.
It also mocked Van Veen’s statement, saying Littler’s actions were “out of place” and adding three tearful tears of joy emojis.
Price: I don’t think there is any particular problem
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Highlights of Gerwyn Price vs Van Veen in the Night Nine final in Manchester
Gerwyn Price, who beat Van Veen in Manchester, said the showdown between the Dutchman and Littler was “part of darts”.
Price said after the 6-2 win, their second win of the season, rocketed them up the Premier League table. “I’ve been in situations like that too. It’s part of life. Emotions go up and down, it’s a roller coaster.”
“Sometimes you have to get a little carried away and get that kind of reaction. Otherwise, what’s the point? Don’t you want to win that bad?”
“You probably regret some of the things you did. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
“I’ve been there, and I think Luke (Littler) will get some of that backlash.
“I’ve been in that situation myself, so I’m thinking about that child right now.”
What’s happening on Premier League night 10 in Brighton
The BetMGM Premier League season continues until night 10 in Brighton next Thursday when Michael van Gerwen takes on Van Veen in an all-Dutch showdown.
Luke Humphries and Jonny Clayton will face off in the opening match of the night, Gerwyn Price will take on Josh Locke and Littler and Stephen Bunting will meet in the quarter-finals.
Ranking points will be awarded each night, with five awarded to the winner, three to the runner-up and two to the semi-finalists, forming a league table where the top four players will advance to the final night at the O2 in London on Thursday 28th May.
Who will win this year’s Premier League Darts? Luke Humphries will defend his title and you can watch the match every Thursday on Sky Sports until May. Stream darts and other top sports now.
