- Michael van Gerwen plays Luke Littler in Friday’s World Darts Championship final
- The Dutchman revealed why he won’t adopt a ‘disgusting’ habit at night
Michael van Gerwen is set to reject some of Luke Littler’s mid-match routines when the pair meet during Friday’s World Darts Championship final, having revealed before the tournament that he finds the habits “really disgusting”.
The Dutchman, who is now one match away from claiming his fourth world title, overcame Chris Dobey with a 6-1 victory in the semi-finals on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old sensation Littler, who was beaten by Luke Humphries in last year’s final, has bested his last four challenges against Stephen Bunting, winning by the same score as Van Gerwen.
Littler has made a habit of shaking hands with his opponents and even hugging them on the way to Friday’s final at Ally Pally, doing so with both Nathan Aspinall and Bunting in the last two rounds.
Van Gerwen revealed before the tournament why he chooses not to participate in the handshake ritual, keen to avoid physical contact with his opponents in the oche.
“There are many players who have rituals,” he said. Draait Door Darts Podcast in December. ‘Before the game they lick their entire hand. You really have a lot of them. I find that really disgusting.
Michael van Gerwen (above) seeks his fourth world title against Luke Littler in Friday’s final
Littler, 17, will become the youngest champion in history if he triumphs over the Dutchman
The youngster has taken to shaking his opponents’ hands between sets at oche.
Admitting that he prefers to hit his opponents with his fists rather than shake their hands, Van Gerwen added: “I don’t really do that (handshake). In fact, I always do a boxing match, just to be safe.
Several darts stars such as Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross lick their fingers on the oche in an effort to increase friction and grip before throwing.
Sky Sports commentator Mark Webster criticized Littler and Bunting for showing too much respect on the oche during their semi-final, as the pair regularly shook hands, hugged and fist bumped throughout the competition.
Lamenting the lack of bite between the two darts stars as they continually made gestures of respect towards each other, Webster said: “That’s too much.” This is a World Championship semi-final. Maybe I’m being a little harsh.
But Littler has hinted there will be a respectful rivalry between the two finalists at Alexandra Palace, admitting there will be no “fist bump” at the oche.
In an interview with talkSPORT before the final, Littler said: “I’m pretty sure there won’t be any fist bumps after the sets.”
“Of course, it’s the final and we both have to be focused. I can’t wait for tomorrow to arrive.
‘This is the main one that fans wanted to see, as soon as Luke (Humphries) came out. “As soon as Luke came out, all the attention was on me,” he added.
Littler regularly hugged Stephen Bunting (right) during their magnificent 6-1 semi-final victory.
Nathan Aspinall also shook hands and hugged the teenager during the quarter-final.
Gerwyn Price (pictured February 2024) is known to lick her fingers to help with friction and grip.
“But you have to look at who Michael has overcome, he has overcome some difficult challenges and so have I. But this is probably the hardest game to win.”
Comparing this year’s run to last, Littler told Sky Sports after his win over Bunting: “I’ve played better.” I have won many titles before this.
‘I can’t wait. “If we both show up like we did tonight, it will be really good.”
Meanwhile, Van Gerwen’s only slip-up in his 6-1 victory came in his televised onstage interview afterwards, when the three-time champion dropped the F-bomb when he said: “I’ve already f**king won.” ‘