Michael van Gerwen cruises to World Darts Championship title with crushing victory over Gary Anderson
- Michael van Gerwen seals victory with superb display at Alexandra Palace
- Van Gerwen enjoyed a stellar 2016, winning 25 tournaments last year
- Anderson was undefeated in 17 matches at the Alexandra Palace before final
When a punter stormed the stage at the Alexandra Palace on Monday night, interrupting the World Darts Championship final, he held the Sid Waddell Trophy aloft before being tackled by security.
Michael van Gerwen, though, would soon have it in his hands instead.
The 27-year-old was untouchable in 2016 with 25 trophies to his name and started 2017 no different, defeating Gary Anderson to win the world title for a second time.
Michael van Gerwen reclaimed the World Darts Championship title on Monday evening
Dutch sensation Van Gerwen produced a scintillating display at Alexandra Palace
Van Gerwen took home the Sid Waddell Trophy and £350,000 prize money
In a match that contained 42 180s, Van Gerwen was a class apart in the London finale
Van Gerwen showed precisely why he is seen by some as the heir to Phil Taylor’s throne
The man known as Mighty Mike won 7-3 and showed precisely why he is seen by some as the heir to Phil Taylor’s throne, taking home the trophy and £350,000 prize money.
There were 42 180s thrown during this thrilling finale – a record for the most ever maximums in a match, beating the 34 from the final between Anderson and Adrian Lewis last year.
Not even the controversy of a stage invader could put Van Gerwen off, as he kept his cool and was crowned world champion once again.
Defending champion Gary Anderson rallied late on, but was outclassed by his opponent
The final was disrupted when a punter stormed the stage and grabbed the trophy
‘That was a bit sad what happened during the game,’ said Van Gerwen.
‘You always have people like that. He wanted to give me the trophy but he will probably never see a darts game again.
‘I feel amazing but I did not play my A-game. He put me under pressure but I am a happy man. It is the most important trophy of the year.’
His post-match press conference was interrupted by a phone call from the Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte. Make no mistake, Van Gerwen is a celebrity in Holland.
Anderson was trying to join Taylor and Eric Bristow in the history books by winning a third consecutive world title here, having won this tournament in 2015 and 2016.
The hat-trick was never on the cards, however.
Two-time defending champion Anderson struggled to deal with a rampant Van Gerwen
Van Gerwen always said he would swap the 25 titles he won last year to be crowned world champion, so desperately did the Dutchman want this.
In 2014, he beat Peter Wright 7-4 to win his first world title. His second here was more straightforward as he averaged 108.06.
Anderson – known as the nicest man in darts – admitted afterwards he was beaten by the better player.
‘This boy is quite good,’ he said, smiling. ‘I reckon in a year or two he will be top dog. I have had a great three years. At 2-2 I thought I was still going in this match but Mike did it.’
There are dream finals for darts fans, then there is Van Gerwen vs Anderson. This was a battle between the two best players on the planet, in a race of first to seven sets.
Van Gerwen enjoyed a stellar 2016 campaign, winning 25 tournaments last year
The Flying Scotsman put up a fight at first. It was fast and furious as they got to 1-1, both averaging 107, before then moving to 2-2.
Yet from then on, it was an onslaught from Van Gerwen.
He ran away with it, winning 7-3, though the £160,000 cheque for coming second will help Anderson get over this.
Van Gerwen was labelled the Lionel Messi of Darts by this newspaper, and the Michael Jordan of it by The New York Times.
Here, with each unerring dart, we found out why.
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