Darts Premier League: Drama in Berlin – Van Gerwen draws level with Taylor

Status: 10:39 am | Reading time: 3 minutes

Joe Cullen just wanted to get off the stage. The Englishman hid his face behind his hands and briefly disappeared behind the arena’s LED walls. Cullen fought back tears, so close was he to the greatest triumph of his career. Previously, the final of the prestigious Premier League had reached its climax.

Cullen, debutant in the premier class of darts, had put up a bitter resistance to favorite Michael van Gerwen. Under pressure he forced the decider with a break to 10:10. In the 21st and decisive leg, Cullen then had the win in his own hands. His dart missed the double 16 by millimeters – the title was gone. Van Gerwen used his first match dart on double 14.

Everything broke out from the Dutchman afterwards. The “green giant”, as he is also known, threw his remaining arrows to the ground and roared loudly several times at the euphoric audience in Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena. “I had to play excellently today. My focus was completely on this event. It wasn’t easy, but what a day. I’m overjoyed with this win,” commented van Gerwen, who took home around 320,000 euros in prize money.

First major win since November 2020

The sixth Premier League title not only means that the world number three draws level with legend Phil Taylor in this competition, but also the end of a difficult phase in van Gerwen’s career. Most recently, he had won a major title at the Players Championship Finals in November 2020. “The last 18 months have hurt,” said a visibly emotional van Gerwen.

It’s remarkable that he was still able to play at such a high level. His throwing hand has been causing him problems for some time now. Van Gerwen was in treatment for some time for carpal tunnel syndrome and underwent surgery on Tuesday, just eleven and a half hours after his win. “I hope my doctor is ready,” he joked.

Van Gerwen still had a declaration of love ready for the fans in Berlin. “Germany is ready for these final evenings,” he commented on the mood in the arena. “No one left early, everyone stayed. That’s stunning. To have done that here in Berlin is great. The audience was sensational.”

The final of the competition took place in Germany for the first time. The more than 10,000 spectators in the arena at Berlin’s Ostbahnhof actually submitted a letter of application for future grand finals. Unlike the events of the European Tour, where the German fans attracted negative attention several times due to targeted heckling, they showed themselves from their best side in the capital.

“I am devastated”

They had their own party in front of the arena until well after midnight, and they also supported the players in the hall with loud singing. A brief smile even flitted across the lips of the defeated Cullen when he was asked for an interview under the shouts of the audience. But disappointment prevailed in his words. “Michael is a fantastic player and a fantastic champion, but I’m devastated,” said Cullen, who defeated top favorite and last year’s winner Jonny Clayton 10-4 in the semifinals. “I can’t believe I lost.”

also read

The World Cup is the next highlight on the program for German darts fans. At the Team World Cup in Frankfurt/Main from Thursday (7 p.m. / DAZN) the successors of the two Scots Peter Wright and John Henderson will be sought. For Germany, Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler meet Spain in the first round.

The results of the playoffs

semifinals

Joe Cullen – Jonny Clayton 10:4

Michael van Gerwen – James Wade 10:4

Finale

Joe Cullen – Michael van Gerwen 10:11