Michael van Gerwen made Premier League history by winning his seventh title to move away from the great Phil Taylor; Sky Sports returns for the World Cup of Darts at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 15-18 as Australia defends the title.
By Raz Mirza and Megan Wellens at The O2
Last update: 05/25/23 22:37
Michael van Gerwen clinched a record seventh Premier League darts title at the O2 in London.
Michael van Gerwen won the Premier League title for a record seventh time after defeating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final at the O2 averaging 105.4.
The Dutchman, who joined Taylor in six wins 12 months ago, bested him after a masterful performance to beat Welshman Price with a great display of arrows.
Van Gerwen, whose participation was in doubt after withdrawing from last week’s final weekly round in Aberdeen with a shoulder injury, has dominated this competition since winning his first title 10 years ago.
Nobody loves the O2 stage as much as he does and after coming through a thrilling semi-final against rival Michael Smith, where he won 10-8, he edged out Price in the final.
Premier League – Finals Night at The O2, London
| semifinals | Gerwyn Price | 10-2 | Jonny Clayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| michael smith | 8-10 | michael van gerwen | |
| Final | Gerwyn Price | 5-11 | michael van gerwen |
Van Gerwen and Price trade blows with incredible payout streak in Premier League final
There was nothing to separate the duo of Price and Van Gerwen in the first five matches before the Dutch ace broke the shot with an astonishing 139-170 lead to open up a 4-2 lead.
MVG underscored his incredible scoring power by holding the next one and then breaking again with an astonishing 128 finish at double 10 to advance 6-2 and average 108.
Price responded with a fabulous 161 target shot to cut the arrears, but Van Gerwen knew he was only four legs away from the title at the interval.
However, four missed darts from the Dutchman allowed ‘The Iceman’ to go in for double 12 to drop 7-4 down, but MVG responded with an 11 dart before sinking double 2 to edge ever closer to glory.
An exhibition 150 at double 18 put Van Gerwen away at 10-5 and it was all over in the next leg when he retained his crown.
7 – Michael van Gerwen
6 – Gerwyn Price
2-Gary Anderson
1 – James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Glen Durrant, Jonny Clayton
MVG believes that this is the beginning of a “beautiful year” and that it is hungrier than ever
“I’ve been working very hard lately. Obviously I struggled last week, we all know Gerwyn Price is in fantastic form, Michael Smith has won the last three weeks,” said the 34-year-old.
“I get questions all the time about when I’m going to do it again, so I put pressure on myself. I still do that, but today it motivated me and I think that’s probably what made me win.”
“I think I played some fantastic darts today. What more could you want than to win this trophy?
“You always have to pick the right moments, but to come back here at the O2 and play as Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price in the final, you have to play your best game.
“I had to do something special today and I was very happy to do it. I worked hard for this.”
Watch the moment MVG secured their seventh Premier League title…
Price is still searching for his first title and a brilliant campaign, where he won four of the weekly rounds, ends in final disappointment.
He was crestfallen after the loss, saying: “I just couldn’t find the triples, the doubles, I couldn’t find anything, that’s how it happens sometimes.
“I’m devastated. I felt like this is the one that got away, I’ve been missing until now, I wasn’t even close, I don’t know what happened.”
Price took a short break in the middle of the final against Van Gerwen to ‘repair’ his darts
MVG avenges world championship loss
Van Gerwen challenged a late rally by Smith to advance to a record-breaking 9th Premier League final
Van Gerwen faced Smith in a repeat of January’s historic world championship final, but it was the St Helens star who got off to a better start by setting a grand finish of 128 for an early bowling break.
MVG then broke into 12 darts to wrest the lead from the world number 1 before regaining four legs in the spin for a 5-2 lead.
Smith’s incredible result of 91 had the O2 on the edge of their seats. The late reaction was even better!
The Dutchman continued to throw amazing darts, advancing 7-3 at half-time and averaging 108.29.
Smith responded with a checkout of 114 after the restart to cut the deficit to three lengths and a crucial checkout of 86 saw ‘Bully Boy’ move him back to 8-6.
Van Gerwen then wasted five darts in doubles, letting Smith in for a spectacular 91 on target to trail 8-7, but MVG quickly regained their composure to pull a leg away from victory.
Smith’s impressive resurgence continued with this jaw-dropping 123 checkout.
Smith then saved the match thanks to a skin-saving 123 pass on the bull after ‘Mighty Mike’ missed with two match darts, but it was all over in the next leg as Van Gerwen clinched their ninth Premier League final. .
Price wins All Welsh showdown
Price proved too good for fellow Welshman Clayton in their semi-final clash
The first semi-final was an all-Welsh affair and it was Price who prevailed over Jonny Clayton with a 10-2 victory.
Price got off to a blistering start to take the first five stages without a reply, Clayton averaging less than 86.
Price posted an excellent 131 checkout to defeat Clayton
Despite ‘The Ferret’ stopping the rot, Price’s consistency on three-pointers continued, pulling out a 12-dart shot in the seventh leg.
From there it was easy for ‘The Iceman’ and despite the fact that Clayton made it 8-2, he completed the victory thanks to a fabulous 131 up.
The Iceman was speechless after defeating his teammate at the Clayton World Cup
What’s next on Sky Sports?
Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta will defend their World Cup of Darts title
The annual World Cup of Darts will expand to 40 teams from the previous 32 in a revamped format that will feature a group stage and doubles matches over four days of action at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 15-18 as Australia defend the qualification.
In a radical departure from previous years, the tournament will see Iceland, Ukraine and Bahrain set to make their debut.
Catch all the action from the World Cup of Darts from June 15-18, live on Sky Sports.
