In arguably the best leg Planet Darts has ever seen, Michael Smith and Michael Van Gerwen treated the Alexandra Place crowd to a moment of pure magic.
Last night, the two best players in the sport collided in the final of the World Championship. And the match more than delivered.
After losing eight consecutive major finals, the concern among darts players was that after winning one, Smith would become unstoppable. Thus, their worst fears were realised when he finally lifted the Grand Slam of Darts trophy above his head.
Despite taking on the massive challenge of a resurgent ‘Green Machine’, the St Helens man rose to the occasion. After starting slowly, he worked his way into the game, and in one of the most impressive showings in sporting history, he left the millions watching around the world in shock after producing what can only be described as sheer brilliance.
Read: When Michael van Gerwen hit 17 consecutive perfect darts at Ally Pally (sporf.com)
Michael Smith and Michael Van Gerwen made history
In the third leg of the second set, both men fired in six perfect darts, leaving the 10,400 spectators in absolute raptures.
In undeniably the biggest game in the sport, the chance of a nine was on for both men. MVG stepped up to plate, and he hit the requisite targets twice more, leaving the fans screaming the house down. But to their disappointment, he missed the double 12. But the drama wasn’t over yet; Smith made his attempt, and with the composure of a sporting great, he hit the nine-darter, rendering commentator, Wayne Mardle, speechless.
But as superb as it was, bagging one leg doesn’t secure a world title. Smith had to fight until the bitter end, until he eventually won the match 7-4.
After so much heartbreak, ‘Bully Boy’ can finally hold his head high as the champion of the world.
Half a year ago, he would’ve missed the all-important doubles, he would’ve let Van Gerwen back into the game – but not anymore.
The victory cemented Smith’s place among the greatest players of all time. However, we have a feeling that his story is only just beginning.
Featured Image Credit: Michael Van Gerwen