Humphries suffers dramatic defeat to Littler at Premier League darts
Luke Humphries faced a shocking loss to Luke Littler at the Premier League darts on Thursday evening in Antwerp, marking the competition’s first-ever event in Belgium, reports BritPanorama.
The closely contested match opened week two of the tournament, providing the enthusiastic Belgian crowd with the excitement they anticipated. Humphries, the world number two, initially took control, leading 4-1 before a stunning turn of events altered the match’s course.
Littler, displaying remarkable resilience, fought back fiercely, winning three consecutive legs to equalise at 4-4. Despite Humphries regaining a narrow lead of 5-4, his opponent managed to send the contest to a final leg after winning the tenth. Littler led briefly in that decisive leg but missed crucial match darts, granting Humphries a chance to reclaim victory.
As Humphries attempted to secure the win, he narrowly missed double 20 and followed that with a miss on double 10. His mounting frustration culminated in an unusual display of anger for a player known for his composure, a reminder that even elite competitors can falter under pressure.
After the match, Humphries collected his darts, visibly upset, stamping his foot at the oche — a moment that reflected the high stakes and tension typical of Premier League encounters. Known as ‘Cool Hand’, his emotional reaction was striking, demonstrating the intense pressure faced by players at this level.
The outcome leaves Humphries with significant challenges ahead in the tournament, while Littler celebrates a crucial comeback victory after suffering a defeat in his previous match against Gian van Veen, who many consider to be a potential rival for the young star.
With his victory, Littler has regained momentum, but Humphries must quickly regain his form if he hopes to remain competitive in the weeks to come.
At this level of competition, the line between triumph and despair can be razor-thin, highlighting the unpredictable drama that makes darts so captivating.
