Unstoppable Littler thrashes Van Veen to defend PDC World Championship title

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/darts/littler-l-0URN6Xks/van-veen-g-jgT1AT29/summary/stats/?mid=O8CEFVhB"]What began as a nervy, chaotic opening[/a] quickly turned into an almost exhibition of control, timing and devastating finishing.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-veen-gian/jgT1AT29/"]Van Veen[/a] struck first, edging a wild opening set that featured missed doubles, big finishes and a dramatic exchange at the business end. It would prove to be his only foothold in the match.[/p][p]From the second set onwards, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/littler-luke/0URN6Xks/"]Littler[/a] shifted through the gears and never looked back.[/p][p]The tone was set when he reeled in a spectacular 170 checkout to snatch the third set, treble 20, treble 20, bull, a moment that visibly drained belief from the Dutchman.[/p][embed guid="67fb0091-3ad1-40ce-9fa5-dbad90869898" url="https://x.com/OfficialPDC/status/2007559421283487768" social-type="twitter" /][p]Littler's scoring surged, his pace quickened, and his command of key moments became absolute.[/p][p]Van Veen continued to play at a high level, producing ton-plus finishes, back-to-back maximums and even threatening nine-darters, but every rally was met with a response.[/p][h2]Littler punishes[/h2][p]Littler repeatedly absorbed pressure, waited for errors and punished them without mercy. Sets four, five and six passed in a blur of heavy scoring, clean set-ups and calm execution, including multiple 180s and a run of eight straight legs that broke the contest open.[/p][p]Distractions came and went, including the now-infamous Ally Pally wasp and a mid-match board change, but nothing disturbed Littler's rhythm. Even when he missed opportunities, he returned with authority, correcting calmly and finishing decisively. [/p][embed guid="ba64fc85-07da-4d13-9dc4-2535e20c6eb1" url="https://x.com/OfficialPDC/status/2007566993054945366" social-type="twitter" /][p]His ability to reset and close legs under pressure stood in stark contrast to Van Veen’s growing frustration.[/p][p]The end was emphatic. Littler built the finish, left himself 147, and took it out cleanly, treble 20, treble 19, double 15, to seal a 7-1 victory that felt both brutal and historic.[/p][h2]'I took my chances'[/h2][p][b]"It feels amazing,"[/b] Littler told Sky Sports.[/p][p][b]"First of all, thanks to John McDonald and John Noble - what a fantastic career they have had. In my first year, Russ Bray retired; now these two legends! I'm a bit late to the party![/b][/p][p]"I've been wanting to say this. Everyone knows what happened with Anthony Joshua and his guy and his team and his friends.[/p][p]"Just like AJ said: the first time was so nice, I had to do it twice!"[/p][embed guid="abd2829d-89f4-404c-ac24-f13633a776f4" url="https://x.com/SkySportsDarts/status/2007569484442108118" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I started playing better from the second set. The first set, I wasn't happy going into the break, but I had to kick on from there.[/b][/p][p]"I said to myself, 'give it time, you will find it'. I started off from the left of the oche and moved over to the right. It all came to plan.[/p][p][b]"Gian, what a tournament, he can be very happy. Every set he was there and behind me. I had to take my chances."[/b][/p][p][b]"This win has increased that gap from Luke Humphries, and I'm in the clear for No 1."[/b][/p][image alt="Luke Littler reacts during the final against Gian van Veen" id="d014be97-2ecd-4ed5-a975-1014ce04b42d" credit-line="Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs" guid="07b45a89-173b-4f39-aa89-946f51996c49" original-width="4544" original-height="3102" /][h2]Van Veen 'proud but disappointed'[/h2][p][b]"He's a fantastic player, which is why he's world number one by a margin now,"[/b] admitted Van Veen on stage after defeat.[/p][p]"That's why he's back-to-back world champion.[/p][p]"I would have liked to pick up the title, but I would have liked to give Luke a game, and that's what I didn't do.[/p][p][b]"I lost too many legs, and I missed too many chances. Looking back at this tournament, I'm very proud to have got to the final. Number three in the world and Dutch number one.[/b][/p][p][b]"I'm very proud of this achievement, but also disappointed."[/b][/p][h2]Astonishing numbers[/h2][p]Littler averaged comfortably over a ton, converted his doubles at a ruthless rate and fired in a torrent of maximums. Both players sank an astonishing four ton-plus finishes. [/p][p]More telling was his composure. He dictated tempo, chose moments to strike, and closed whenever the match threatened to breathe.[/p][p]He averaged just shy of 104 for the entire tournament - the sixth highest in history.[/p][embed guid="10d4e499-54e2-4521-ae86-035339d5dbe9" url="https://x.com/OfficialPDC/status/2007568418552029500" social-type="twitter" /][p]For Van Veen, the defeat will sting like a London wasp, but reaching the final caps a breakthrough year that has already reshaped the new number three's standing in the sport.[/p][p]At just 18, Littler becomes the first player since Gary Anderson to successfully defend a world title, and does so with an authority that suggests there will be plenty more to come. [/p][p]On this night, though, the stage belonged to Littler alone, who becomes only the fourth ever back-to-back world champion. [/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/darts/world/pdc-world-championship/"]Catch up on the PDC World Darts Championship with Flashscore![/a][/h2]