Michael van Gerwen created Premier League history by winning his seventh title to overtake the great Phil Taylor; Sky Sports returns for the World Cup of Darts at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt from June 15-18 as Australia defend the title
By Raz Mirza & Megan Wellens at The O2
Last Updated: 26/05/23 1:17am
Michael van Gerwen collected a record-breaking seventh Premier League Darts title at the O2 in London
Michael van Gerwen won the Premier League title for a record-breaking seventh time after beating Gerwyn Price 11-5 in the final at the O2 in London on Thursday night.
The Dutchman, who joined Taylor on six wins 12 months ago, surpassed him after a masterful display to beat Welshman Price with a blistering display of arrows.
Van Gerwen, whose participation was in doubt after withdrawing from last weekend’s 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 like him and after a thrilling semi-final against rival Michael Smith, in which he won 10-8, he got the better of Price in the final, finishing a an average of 105.4.
Premier League – Finals Night at London’s O2
| Semi-finals | Gerwyn Price | 10-2 | Jonny Clayton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Smith | 8-10 | Michael van Gerwen | |
| end | Gerwyn Price | 5-11 | Michael van Gerwen |
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Van Gerwen and Price’s trade blow off an incredible run at checkouts in the Premier League final
Nothing could separate the duo of Price and Van Gerwen in the first five legs before the Dutch ace broke the toss with a 139-170 card to open a 4-2 advantage.
He underlined his incredible scoring power by holding the next and then breaking again with a stunning 128 after double 10 to move 6-2 ahead. , averaging 108 in the process.
Price responded with a superb 161 bullseye finish to reduce the deficit, but Van Gerwen knew he was just four legs away from the title at the interval.
However, four missed darts from the Dutchman allowed ‘The Iceman’ to hit a double 12 to break 7-4, but MVG hit straight back with an 11-darter before sinking a double 2 to on the brink of glory.
An exhibition 150 on double 18 moved Van Gerwen one up 10-5 and it was all over in the next leg as he hit double 9 to retain his crown.
7 – Michael van Gerwen
6 – Phil Taylor
2 – Gary Anderson
1 – James Wade, Raymond van Barneveld, Glen Durrant, Jonny Clayton
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MVG believes that this is the start of a ‘beautiful year’ and that he is hungrier than ever
“I’ve been working hard lately. Obviously, I had problems last week, we all know Gerwyn Price has been in fantastic form, Michael Smith has won the last three weeks,” said the 34 – years old.
“I get questions all the time about when I’m going to do it again so I put pressure on myself. I keep doing that but now it’s motivated me and I think that’s probably what got me through.
“I think today I played some amazing darts. What more could you wish for than to win this trophy?
“You always have to pick the right moments but to come back here at the O2 and play like guys like Michael Smith, Gerwyn Price in the final, you have to play your A-game.
“I had to do something special today and I’m so glad I did it. I worked hard for it.”
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Watch the moment MVG secured their seventh Premier League title…
Price is still looking for his first title and a great campaign, in which he won four of the weekly rounds, ended in the most disappointing.
He was nervous after the loss, saying: “I can’t find the trebles, the doubles, I can’t find anything, it’s like that sometimes.
“I was hurt. I just felt that this was the one that got away, I was lost until now, I haven’t been close, I don’t know what happened.”
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Price took a break midway through the final against Van Gerwen to ‘fix’ his bows
MVG avenged the loss in the world championship
Van Gerwen defies late rally from Smith to progress to a record-breaking ninth Premier League final
Van Gerwen defeated Smith 10-8 in a repeat of the historic world championship final in January in the semi-finals.
It was the St Helens star who made the best start by pinning a massive 128 finish for an early break in the toss.
MVG then broke 12 darts to seize the lead from the world No 1 before knocking down four legs on the spin for a 5-2 lead.
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Smith’s incredible 91 finish had O2 on the edge of their seats. Delayed reaction is even better!
The Dutchman continued to throw some stunning arrows, going 7-3 at the break and averaging 108.29.
Smith responded with a 114 checkout after the start to reduce the deficit to three legs and a crucial 86 checkout saw ‘Bully Boy’ put it back to 8-6.
Van Gerwen then wasted five darts in the doubles, sending Smith in for a roof-raising 91 on the bullseye to break 8-7, but MVG quickly regained his composure to pull a leg away from the victory.
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Smith’s impressive resurgence continues with this jaw-dropping 123 checkout
Smith saved the match thanks to a skin-saving 123 on the bull after ‘Mighty Mike’ missed a two-game bow, but it was over in the next leg with Van Gerwen nailing a double 10 to get through to his ninth. that Premier League final.
Price won the 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 Price came out on top against Jonny Clayton with a 10-2 win.
Price got off to a blistering start to take the first five legs without reply, Clayton averaging just 86.
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Price nailed an excellent 131 checkout to defeat Clayton
Despite ‘The Ferret’ stopping the rot, Price’s consistency in trebles continued, bagging a 12-darter in the seventh leg.
From there it was easy for ‘The Iceman’ and although Clayton made it 8-2, he completed the win thanks to an incredible 131 over.
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The Iceman was left speechless after defeating fellow World Cup player Clayton
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Watch the best action from the Finals Night of the Premier League in London where MVG is simply the best!
What’s next for 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 revised format that will feature a group stage and doubles matches across four days of action at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle from June 15-18 as Australia defends the title.
In a major change from previous years, the tournament will see Iceland, Ukraine and Bahrain set to make their debuts.
Catch all the action from the World Cup of Darts from June 15-18 – live on Sky Sports.
