Peter Wright (Picture: PDC Europe)

Darts results: Peter Wright defies Luke Littler's average of 107 to win the German Darts Championship final

By Chris Hammer

Darts

Mon September 02, 2024 · 3M ago

Peter Wright came from 5-2 down and defied an average of 107 from Luke Littler to win the German Darts Championship final 8-5 in Hildesheim.

Snakebite had endured a terrible trophyless season while Littler's debut campaign could hardly have been more spectacular having picked up seven titles, including the Premier League, as well firing in four nine-dart finishes.

The 17-year-old sensation looked set to take his tally to eight at Halle 39 when opening up a 5-2 lead with an average of 112 at the time - compared to Wright's 93 - but suddenly the tide turned when the two-time world champion took out 146 for a 12-darter.

Momentum continued to shift as Wright took the next three legs to moved 6-5 ahead before Littler missed double 15 for a spectacular 150 checkout that allowed the Scot to come back and pin double one.

Wright made it six legs on the spin with an 11-darter to stun Littler, whose average of 106.87 was 10 points higher than his opponent, and prove he still has the strength of character to compete at the highest level.

“I just kept believing in myself,” reflected Wright. “Luke is a fantastic dart player and he was blowing me off the board with 180s, but I thought if I could keep with him, I might get back into it.

“This means a lot to me. Luke is distraught because he wants to win. He’s a fighter, he’s a winner, and he’ll be back and beating us all again soon!”

The 54-year-old had earlier claimed he was 'on my way back' during an emotional interview on stage following a quarter-final victory over Michael van Gerwen in which he averaged almost 109.

Wright, who began the day with a battling 6-4 win over Gian van Veen, then saw off Dave Chisnall in the semi-finals before upsetting the odds in dramatic fashion against Littler.

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The Premier League champion, meanwhile, was unable to add to his wins in Wieze and Graz, despite crashing in 31 maximums across the weekend – a new European Tour record.

Littlerkicked off his title bid with a six-leg blitz of Dylan Slevin on Saturday, before winning through a scrappy affair against Ryan Searle to reach the last eight.

The World Championship runner-up then fought back from 4-1 down to deny Damon Heta in a dramatic quarter-final, while he proved too strong for Daryl Gurney in the last four, averaging 107 and hitting eight 180s to advance to a meeting with Wright.

“Peter just wouldn’t go away,” conceded Littler, who was eyeing an eighth PDC title of 2024.

“I threw at my best, Peter threw at his best at the end, but maybe the game would have changed if I hit that 150 [checkout].

“Fair play to Peter. He’s played well all weekend, so I’ve got to take it on the chin.”