World Darts Championship: Michael Van Gerwen vows to keep Luke Littler a ‘sniff away’ from title ahead of final

Michael van Gerwen has vowed to keep Luke Littler a “sniff away” from becoming world champion when they clash in Friday’s final at Alexandra Palace.

While Van Gerwen is out to lift the Sid Waddell trophy for a fourth time, Littler has booked back-to-back spots in the World Championship final and goes into their contest as the favourite at just 17 years of age.

If he were to pick up the victory, Littler would steal a slice of history from the Dutchman and become the youngest player ever to win the Worlds, a title Van Gerwen currently holds from his victory over Peter Wright in 2014 – when he was 24.

While Van Gerwen believes Littler, who was denied in last year’s final by Luke Humphries, will take that record from him eventually, he will do everything in his power to ensure Friday is not that day.

“Luke’s had a sniff [of the title]. I’m going to make sure he keeps by a sniff as well,” Van Gerwen said.

“He’s got years! I think with his capability I will be surprised if he doesn’t beat it.

“But I don’t look at stats. People say ‘are you going to beat Phil Taylor’s stats’. I don’t care. It’s about what you do now and whoever is in your path, you face it.”

Van Gerwen headed into the 2025 World Championship without being touted as one of the favourites and has since proved that people should overlook him at their peril; ‘The Green Machine’ always choosing being written off as the moment to believe in himself even more.

“Of course. I’ve been in this position before. The moment people don’t believe in me, that’s the moment I fight and believe in my own ability. You keep digging,” he added.

“With the bookies and fans I might be the underdog. People who know me maybe see things a bit differently.”

“No-one expected me to reach the final. People bet against me but I know I can prove them different.

“I believe in my own ability and I don’t care what anyone else says.”

Littler has had a sensational first year on the professional circuit, picking up 10 titles including the Premier League and his first major win at the Grand Slam of Darts.

Now, he has the chance to complete the biggest dream of them all but insists there is no pressure on him heading into another huge final.

“It’s the stuff of dreams, every kid, every adult, they want to pick up the trophy, but this is what you’ve got to do, you’ve got to be at the top of your game to do it,” Littler said.

“I can tell you now, I’ve got no pressure, I’m sure Michael would have said the same, just going to enjoy it, like tonight [the semi-finals] if we can get off to a quick start, winning the first set, I’ll be happy, but if I don’t then I’ll come back on and hopefully switch things up and make it right.

“He’s been tested, I’ve been tested, so I’m sure we’ll both test each other.”

Comparison is the thief of joy? Heroes in their own right

With Van Gerwen having achieved so much in the sport at a young age, it is no shock that Littler is often compared to his rival.

The Dutchman understands the parallels and knows Littler is now one of England’s “heroes”.

“I think he’s great. What he’s done for the sport is great. Fair play to him,” Van Gerwen added.

“Television and social media is big which helps him. It’s good for darts in general. I don’t mind.

“There was no social media when I was 17. Time moved forwards. Sport moves on. Whoever you are, sport moves on.

“I expected a semi-final between him and Humphries but Humphries let himself down unfortunately.

“Of course everyone talks about him but that’s what England does with there heroes. That’s what the Netherlands should do as well.”

What’s next?

Luke Littler is one win away from creating history after reaching his second successive world championship final. The 17-year-old from Warrington will take on Michael van Gerwen, who is chasing his fourth World title after bulldozing his way to the final. Watch the drama unfold from 7.30pm tonight on Sky Sports Darts.

Watch the Premier League Darts on Sky Sports

Watch all the action from the Premier League on Sky Sports with Luke Littler aiming to defend his title. The new Premier League season will begin in Belfast on Thursday, February 6, as darts’ biggest party returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues across the UK and Europe.

Who will win the Premier League Darts? Watch all the action on Sky Sports. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.