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Michael van Gerwen bursts into tears after beating Luke Littler in Dutch Darts Masters final

Michael van Gerwen was back to his very best against Luke Littler, but the challenge of overcoming the prodigal 17-year-old appeared to take a lot out of the Dutchman

[Michael van Gerwen raises both arms in victory after beating Luke Littler]

Michael van Gerwen was ecstatic to have beaten Luke Littler (Image: X/OfficialPDC)

Michael van Gerwen burst into tears after ending Luke Littlers winning streak - and the boy wonder admitted: He got me in the end.

In a pulsating Dutch Masters final, Van Gerwen won 8-6 in front of his home crowd in Den Bosch - despite Littlers stunning 106.74 average. After losing to the teenage sensation of darts in the Bahrain Masters final eight days earlier, MVG promised: Ill get him, dont worry - and he was as good as his word.

But the three-times world champion had to withstand another barnstorming hail of arrows from 17-year-old Littler, who outgunned MVG 5-3 in 180 maximums over 14 memorable legs. Magnanimous in defeat, just as he was gracious in victory at Van Gerwens expense in Bahrain, Littler said: Throughout the game he was unbelievable - I put him under so much pressure but he just wouldnt miss.

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Obviously the crowd wanted Michael to win, I get that, and he finally got me at the end. We are going to have some battles and now I cant wait to go on to Cardiff next week.

The opening night of the BetMGM Premier League in Wales on Thursday promises to be another thunderous occasion. Littler, who has beaten six world champions past and present in his last three tournaments, may not be No.1 in the rankings and may not yet be richest teenager on the planet - but in six weeks he has become the man to beat.

A teary MVG said: This is what the people want to watch. He put me under so much pressure and everyone knows he is going to have such a bright future but you have to find a way to stop him.

Do you think Michael van Gerwen can win Premier League darts again? Let us know in the comments section below

[Michael van Gerwen with tears in his eyes after beating Luke Littler to win the Dutch Masters Final]

Michael van Gerwen was visibly emotional when he beat Littler(Image: X/OfficialPDC)

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His scoring power is immense and he doesnt care about anything. I needed my best performance of the tournament to beat him but I kept my fighting spirit.

Earlier in the evening, Littler had gained a measure of revenge for his PDC World Championship final defeat by Luke Humphries earlier this month with a 6-5 win win on the bullseye in their quarter-final.

Then he saw off Gerwyn Price for the second time in eight days in the last four before Van Gerwen administered Littlers first defeat in eight matches since the fairytale of Ally Pally.

[Luke Littler in action at the Dutch Masters]

Luke Littler has reached three televised finals in a row(Image: Getty Images)

Price admitted Littlers startling rise had re-energised the top players, saying: I dont normally practise a lot, but lately Ive been on the board more than I ever have before. It gives you a kick up the backside and re-energises you.

I feel a little bit sorry for the other Luke (Humphries), if I am honest with you. As good as Luke Littler is, and deserves the support he gets, it sort of dampens Luke Humphries as a world champion and winning four majors on the bounce.

Its great for darts, its great for our sport, but I do feel sorry for Luke Humphries a little bit. I think if Luke Littler drops off a little bit, and Humphries keeps performing, he will get what he deserves. He is brilliant.

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