Premier League Darts: Michael van Gerwen wins sixth crown to equal Phil Taylor’s number of titles | Darts News
Michael van Gerwen joins the legendary Phil Taylor as a six-time Premier League champion after winning the title for the first time since 2019; the Dutchman edges Joe Cullen on an incredible night of action at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin to take home £275,000
Last Updated: 14/06/22 12:29am
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Michael van Gerwen won a sixth Premier League title in Berlin on Monday. Here are the best checkouts from a dramatic night of action…
Michael van Gerwen won a sixth Premier League title in Berlin on Monday. Here are the best checkouts from a dramatic night of action…
Michael van Gerwen sealed a record-equalling sixth Premier League crown after winning a dramatic last-leg decider against debutant Joe Cullen on a manic Monday night in Berlin.
The Dutchman edged out a heartbroken Cullen 11-10 in an all-time Premier League classic, after the Yorkshireman missed a match dart at double 16 in a thrilling decider.
Van Gerwen kept his cool to regain the crown he last won in 2019 and equal Phil Taylor’s haul of six Premier League titles.
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Van Gerwen defeated debutant Joe Cullen to win his sixth Premier League title
Premier League – Play-Offs in Berlin Results
| Semi-finals | Jonny Clayton | 4-10 | Joe Cullen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael van Gerwen | 10-4 | James Wade | |
| Final | Jonny Clayton/Joe Cullen | 10-11 | Michael van Gerwen/James Wade |
“I have been going through a really tough time, so to win this title, it means a lot to me,” reflected Van Gerwen, who celebrated his first big TV title for over 18 months.
“I’m a happy man. Joe Cullen was phenomenal in that final. What a day. I’m over the moon.
“Of course I am going for more titles now. To have won this trophy here in Berlin is amazing.
“This last 18 months has hurt me. I know what I’m capable of, but this crowd in Germany today, they were absolutely sensational. I think they were a credit to the sport.”
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MVG said he was over the moon after going through a ‘tough time’
Van Gerwen seized the early initiative with a sequence of three straight legs but ‘The Rockstar’ reduced the arrears with a spectacular 141 finish in leg nine, and a clinical 114 checkout in leg 11 sparked a run of three straight legs for the Masters champion, who edged 7-6 ahead.
The next five legs went with throw, before Van Gerwen appeared to strike the decisive blow in leg 19, converting a sensational 92 checkout to break throw in 12 darts and move one leg away from glory.
The drama continued as Cullen produced a 13-dart break to force a decider, but it was the Dutchman who claimed a monumental victory thanks to double 14, having survived a match dart at double 16 in the previous visit.
MVG has played six deciding legs in televised finals in his career, and has won all six.
“Michael is a fantastic player and a fantastic champion, but I am absolutely gutted,” admitted Cullen, who was bidding to become the third successive debutant to be crowned Premier League champion.
“I cannot believe I’ve lost, but credit to Michael, he is a great guy and a wonderful champion.
“I think the second leg cost me, missing three at 32 for a break of throw. I’m absolutely devastated.”
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Cullen was ‘absolutely devastated’ after missing a dart to win the Premier League title
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Earlier in the evening, Cullen averaged almost 101 and crashed in 11 maximums – equalling the tournament record – as he dethroned Jonny Clayton’s bid for back-to-back Premier League titles with a 10-4 success.
In the second semi-final, Van Gerwen defeated 2009 champion James Wade by the same scoreline – winning seven of the last eight legs to triumph with a 99 average and six 180s.
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