LUKE LITTLER knew he was going to beat Gian van Veen in the World Championship final as soon as he went 1-0 down.
According to his mate Angry Ginge, real name Morgan Burtwistle, Littler’s reaction to going a set behind early on at Ally Pally was the end for Van Veen.
The Nuke was crowned a double world champ before he turned 19 in January, and despite facing fellow youngster Van Veen, 23, the result was never in doubt.
Streamer and pal of Littler Ginge told the Double Tops podcast, sponsored by BetMGM: “He’s so chill, it’s unbelievable. Honestly, he’s so relaxed, so chilled.
“I was there for the final against Gian and he’s come in, he’s got his AirPods in or whatever, he’s practised a few, he’s had a margherita pizza, practised a few more then gone on.
“Gian gets the first set. I don’t know if anybody saw it but as he [Littler] walked off he looked over to where we’re all stood and he goes: ‘No more.’
“Then he gets seven on the bounce.”
Littler romped to the title, averaging 1-6 across the match with 16 180s, almost double that of Van Veen.
He nailed a 170 checkout, reeling in the big fish as he went, dominating with 23 legs won to Van Veen’s eight.
Since then Littler has continued to blitz his opponents, maintaining the world No1 spot and winning trophies left, right, and centre.
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Littler started 2026 where he left in 2025, adding the Saudi Arabia and World Masters to his World Championship collection.
The Manchester-thrower, who is close to Ginge through their love for Fifa, darts, and their home city, then went all the way in the UK Open, one of the few titles he hadn’t claimed in his rapid two-and-a-half year ascent to the top of the game.
He has now won three of the past four nights of the Premier League heading to Manchester on Thursday.
Littler hit two 170 finishes against Michael van Gerwen in last week’s final in Germany, including one to win the match.
And Ginge is a big fan of his attitude as well as ability.
He continued: “Honestly, he’s such a genuine guy.
“I was watching him at his first World Champs [in 2024], the same as Charlie Manby this year, the new kid on the block, you root for them.
“He was quality. He’d just beat the Canadian guy [Matt Campbell], then Goldfinger [Andrew Gilding], then Barney [Raymond van Barneveld].
“That was the one when I thought we had something here.
“He said he wanted to play Pro Clubs [on video game Fifa] with us. So I messaged him saying: ‘Do you want to jump on?’
“He jumped on and since then…”
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