World Series of Darts Finals LIVE RESULTS: Luke Littler THRASHES Michael Smith in thrilling final and bags £80k prize
LUKE LITTLER thrashed Michael Smith in what turned out to be a dominant World Series of Darts final - and has earned himself a £80k prize in the process.
The teenage sensation thrashed Michael van Gerwen 11-4 after beating Chris Dobey earlier in the day.
And he made easy work of Smith in tonight's final, beating Bully Boy 11-4.
- RESULT: Luke Littler def. Michael Smith
- TV channel: ITV4
- FREE live stream: ITVX
- Explainer: Full schedule and latest results
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Littler set to jump up Order of Merit rankings
Luke Littler appears set to jump up the PDC Order of Merit rankings.
It comes after he earned £80,000 for winning the World Series of Darts last night.
His earnings following the next update of the Order are set to see him sit on £427,000, which would place him above Stephen Bunting, who is currently ranked 14th in the rankings.
Van Gerwen blames himself for heavy Littler defeat
Michael van Gerwen has blamed himself for his heavy defeat against Luke Littler.
Littler beat the Dutchman in front of his home crowd 11-4 in the semi-finals of the World Series of Darts as he took nine legs in a row to win the match.
Whether there was no spark against him? I don't even want to say that yet.
However, I started the match well and put him under pressure from the start, at that point I was in the match very well.
But then I come out of that break badly, I still win the first leg, but then I completely lose and report. That's where I seriously shortchanged myself."
He then started playing better and better and with that my the irritation increased. I can blame myself for that.
There is a very busy period coming up now and if I want to perform something there, this should not happen to me. I have to take this defeat on my chin already.
Michael van GerwenLittler prize money
Luke Littler earned a cool £80,000 from his victory in the World Series of Darts final.
'I'm ready' says Littler as he warns rivals
Luke Littler has laid down the gauntlet to his darts rivals by warning: "I'm going to keep winning".
The Nuke was triumphant last night against Michael Smith in the World Series of Darts final.
But speaking to PDC.TV he said: "This time last year I was playing on the Development Tour; my name was getting mentioned, but after the World Championship, everyone knew who I was.
“I’m going to keep building on this and winning more. It’s a busy schedule coming up and I’m ready for it.”
‘Best sport on earth' say darts fans after classy Littler-Smith gesture
Luke Littler showed his class by celebrating as opponent Michael Smith netted the Big Fish at the World Series of Darts final.
The two men battled it out for the £80,000 prize at last night’s showpiece event in Amsterdam.
But it was Littler, 17, who emerged victorious with a stunning 11-4 win.
He also thrashed defending champion and local favourite Michael van Gerwen in the semis.
And Littler’s win saw him secure his eighth title of 2024.
However, the most impressive throw of the night went to Smith.
Smith bemoans doing 'nothing' in the final
Michael Smith fell to a crushing 11-4 defeat by Luke Littler in the World Series of Darts final last night.
It came after decent performances against Rob Cross and Peter Wright in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively.
I just didn't do anything in the final
It never happened for me, but I was lucky to be in the final. It's another runner-up trophy, which I've collected quite a few of over the years.
But this weekend puts me in good stead; I've had a bit of time off and now I'm ready to get back practicing hard for the rest of the year.
Michael Smith'I felt on top of the world', says Littler
Luke Littler has basked in his latest triumph at the World Series of Darts by declaring "I felt on top of the world".
Littler stormed to rousing victories in both the semi-final and final against Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith respectively.
The Nuke has now revealed he felt unbeatable, and so it proved.
I'm really happy to get the win here this weekend.
[I] Played unbelievable myself I have to say myself all weekend.
But the fans were really good throughout the tournament and I'm happy to come out the winner.
Tonight I felt like no one could beat me, I felt on top of the world as anyone would.
Especially when I'm putting in silly numbers. That goes to show why I've come here as number one seed.
Luke LittlerAnd that's it...
So, Luke Littler is your World Series of Darts winner.
He absolutely dominated Michael Smith in the final - winning 11-4.
Earlier, the Nuke showed Michael Van Gerwen who was boss thrashing him by the same score line.
In the final, Littler scored an average of 102.1, while he also scored 6 180s.
There was absolutely no stopping him tonight.
Thanks for tuning in to our blog, we hope you enjoyed all the action as much as we did.
It's goodnight for now, as we all live in a Luke Littler world.
Littler on fans chanting his name
It tells me there’s only one Luke Littler!
“This time last year I was on the Development Tour. I won a few events and my name was getting mentioned. But at the Worlds, that’s when everyone knew who I was.
“The trophies I’ve won, the finals I’ve lost this year, I’m just building on it and I’m winning more.
“It will take some beating this weekend. It’s a busy schedule with the winter to come. I’m ready for it.”
Littler's reaction
I’m just happy to win. It’s been a long day of course.
“Waking up early, didn’t like that one. I managed to get over the line against Chris (Dobey). I relaxed tonight and I played very well."
ITV's schedule riddle
ITV were forced to change their schedule after Luke Littler blitzed the World Series of Darts finals.
The teenage sensation won his second major championship of the year with a brilliant display in Amsterdam.
He swatted aside home favourite Michael van Gerwen before beating Michael Smith in the final to get his hands on the trophy.
Each semi-final and the final was best of 21 legs, so ITV prepared by scheduling the broadcast to finish at 10pm.
But such was Littler's display he had things wrapped up before 9:30pm, with ITV forced to show an episode of River Monsters to fill the vacant spot.
The darts was meant to be followed by Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, which remained in its 10pm slot.
Here's his moment
This is it.
This is the moment Littler, all smiles, lifted the World Series of Darts Finals trophy.
What a moment. What a player.
New shirt for Littler
LUKE LITTLER is wearing a new shirt - but the change has gone unnoticed for TWO MONTHS.
The Warrington teenager burst on to the at the PDC World Darts Championship last Christmas with his thrilling run to the final.
Littler, 17, lost to Luke Humphries at Ally Pally but became a viral sensation with his iconic purple kit.
He then went on to win the Premier League on his debut in the famous jersey.
However, it appears he has made a very subtle outfit adjustment.
Fan-favourite Littler wrapped up victory in the World Series of Darts final against Michael Smith in Amsterdam.
The purple colour scheme has been replaced with a blue version.
And there are some subtle changes to the design, too, with the honeycomb pattern effect on the original now ditched.
Report
Read SunSport's report on Littler's demolition job of Smith below.
It was a whitewash.
Littler by Little
Littler's career earnings are now up to £810,000 now.
His epic rise knows no bounds.
But, rather brilliantly, he can't touch it till he's 18.
Littler 11-4 Smith
A 180 gives Littler the chance to break Smith's throw.
Littler misses a match dart with the double 11.
Incredibly, Smith fails to close with the board at his mercy.
Of course it ends with Littler's favourite double 10.
Littler win the World Series of Darts Finals!
Littler 10-4 Smith
Littler misses out on a nine darter, but is on 84 with Smith on 170.
For the match, he needs 84. He gets 59. No grandstand finish.
Can Smith reel in the Big Fish? Yes he can! That's superb.
Brilliant moment between the pair two as they mock up reeling in a fish.
Littler 10-3 Smith
A much needed 140 put Smith ahead on throw.
He's on a finish before Littler, but can only 31 to his total.
Littler, wanting the Big Fish, lands 105.
Smith's 42, leaves him with 72.
Littler misses tops leaving 20.
But Smith misses tops again.
Littler sinks his double 10.
Littler 9-3 Smith
Littler was inches away from a 127 checkout, missing the bull.
But he scores tops on his return to win yet another leg.
It's another masterclass from Luke 'The Nuke'.
Littler 8-3 Smith
He's buzzing now.
10, double 10 and we have another leg for Littler.
Smith needs to stay in this.
Littler 7-3 Smith
Smith needed a 132 checkout, with Littler on 24.
He needed it to go, but two bullseyes was a big ask.
Littler secures the double 12 to go four ahead now.
Littler 6-3 Smith
There he goes again!
Littler plays this game without any fear.
Smith started this session with an 11-dart finish, but he's not had a sniff since.
Littler 5-3 Smith
Littler's 180 puts him well in control of leg eight.
But he misses tops to seal an 81 checkout.
Smith is miles behind in the 200s.
Littler busts and is back to double 10, but Smith's not on a finish.
He returns to restore a two leg advantage again.
Littler 4-3 Smith
Littler lands his trusted friend, the double, 10, for a break of throw.
Smith will be gutted after getting himself back in the game.
Littler's found his range.
Littler 3-3 Smith
Littler turns the screw with Smith on 87 to leave himself 80.
But Smith isn't perturbed and gets over the line.
We're level again.