With five of the seven matches going to a decider, the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin played host to an intense night two of this year's Premier League. After a long night's play it was MVG who held his nerve, defeating Nathan Aspinall, Michael Smith and Luke Littler on his way to Deutschland domination.
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Van Gerwen beat Aspinall 6-4 in the opening encounter of the night in a match where the Dutchman never really had to get out of second gear. What followed, turned out to be the match of the night as both Gerwyn Price and Michael Smith hit 170 finishes in their bout, the first time two players have hit the big fish in the same match in Premier League history. In an enthralling contest it was Smith who just managed to edge it 6-5.
The remaining first round fixtures included Luke Littler v Rob Cross and Luke Humphries v Peter Wright. Cross managed to keep up with Littler for the majority of their match, but the teenage sensation pipped him at the end to win 6-5. In the final round one match, Wright showed glimpses of getting his form back, but still lost 6-4 against the world champion.
The first semi final was between night one winner, Smith and reigning Premier League champion, van Gerwen. The match was very eachy-peachy, with no player able to run away with it, but 'Bully Boy' looked favourite as he had the darts in the last leg. However, MVG opened the decider with six perfect darts to regain the advantage then only needed one dart at double 16 to sneak through to the final 6-5.
The other semi was a repeat of the World Championship final as the two best Lukes in darts continued their friendly rivalry. As expected, the two went toe-to-toe for the entire match but it was Littler who managed to win. 'The Nuke' was behind in the last leg but managed to regain control after throwing his trademark 162 set up. He then held his nerve on double 10 to beat Humphries 6-5.
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The final was a case of the prodigy against the master, as van Gerwen and Littler faced off for only the third time. With almost every game of the night going to a decider, was the final ever going to be any different? Littler was first to get a break of throw in the very first leg of the match, but van Gerwen soon got a break of his own to put the match back on throw. With MVG being on throw in the decider he was always going to be the favourite, however it was Littler who was first to get to a double. Uncharacteristically, 'The Nuke' missed match darts at double 10, MVG then cleaned up to win 6-5.
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