LUKE Littler has won the Austrian Darts open in Graz, beating Joe Cullen 8-4.
The win is Littler’s second on the Euro Tour, in what is only his third appearance and soils Joe Cullen’s perfect record in Euro Tour finals.
The atmosphere inside of the Schwarzlsee was buoyant, and Cullen’s usual theme of ‘Don’t look back in Anger’ lifted the Austrian crowd to another level.
This final was the first ever meeting between the two, and likely Cullen would like to keep it that way after Littler’s domination
Against the crowds wishes the match was a slow starter, and with seven consecutive holds of throw, Littler lead 4-3 after nearly 20 minutes of action.
Littler would break Cullen’s throw first and his average reached 108, one of the highest in a crazy weekend of scoring.
Leg nine saw the teenagers first wobble as he missed six darts to claim a two leg lead, failing to take out 16 across two visits.
That wobble would be the last of the game, as Littler would claim three consecutive legs to take the victory.
Leg 12 was a true show of his scoring , starting with five perfect darts and nailing the Bullseye to secure his possession of the Green Jacket, and assume number one spot on the Euro Tour Order of Merit.
Littler was quick to praise the Austrian support: “I said Belgium was good. You guys are so much better than Belgium,”
“My darts have been good, but these guys [the fans] have helped me.”
Commentator Glen Durant was also complimentary of the event’s support, but also: “They are man of the match tonight, get yourself down to the Euro Tour”.
The whole weekend’s performance from Joe Cullen is much needed, and will see him rise into the top 10 above Danny Noppert.
Despite the £12,000 he will net, and the jump in rankings he was less than impressed: “I was rubbish, I don’t think Littler played that well, but played better than me.”
Littler will swiftly return to Premier League action on Thursday playing Nathan Aspinall in Aberdeen, where Cullen will have to wait until the resumption of the Euro Tour on May 10.
