Up Monday night, Michael van Gerwen and Joe Cullen put on one of the best matches in Premier League history, as MVG beat the Rockstar 11-10 in Berlin after surviving a match dart.
Cullen came agonizingly close to pulling off the upset in Germany, missing double 16 for the win in the fourth leg before the Dutchman stepped in to capture a record-tying sixth Premier League title.
This happened after two lopsided semi-finals, in which Van Gerwen defeated James Wade 10-4 and Cullen defeated a below-par Jonny Clayton by the same score.
MVG’s massive triumph is his first in a big tournament since the 2020 Players Championship, and it brings an end to a dry stretch that saw him lose his status as the sport’s most dangerous player.
He confesses that the last two years have been difficult, but he is eager to return to the summit of the tungsten mountain.
‘I have been going through a really tough time, so to win this title means a lot to me,’ he said. ‘I’m a happy man. Joe Cullen was phenomenal in that final. What a day. I’m over the moon.
‘Of course I am going for more titles now. To have won this trophy here in Berlin is amazing.
‘This last 18 months has hurt me. I know what I’m capable of, but this crowd in Germany today, they were absolutely sensational. I think they were a credit to the sport.’
Asked just how tough it has been for him, Van Gerwen added: ‘Really painful. I created my own problems a little bit, and the press of course because I get slaughtered if I don’t do the right things at the right moment.
‘Everyone expects Michael to win, but that’s not how it is, that’s not how easy it is and that’s not how it should be.
‘The most important thing is I won here today and it gives me a great feeling. I know there’s more to come and we’ll see that in a few weeks’ time.
‘After the World Championship title, it’s the most important one for me. It’s really hard.’
It was an historic victory for the 33-year-old as he equalled Phil Taylor’s record of Premier League titles, something MVG expects to claim for himself in the future.
‘I’m going to beat that record as well, don’t worry,’ he said. ‘I’ve still got 10-15 years to go.’
After winning the Masters in January, Cullen was making his Premier League debut this year, and MVG was full of enthusiasm for his defeated rival.
‘Of sure, else he wouldn’t be in the Premier League,’ Van Gerwen said of the Yorkshireman’s ability to compete at the highest level of darts.
‘He’s a winner anyway, whatever he does. Of course He had a chance to beat me there
‘He shouldn’t feel himself as a loser because I think today he was a credit to darts, credit to the sport and that’s really important as well.’
Cullen was devastated after the setback, not just because of the missed match dart in the final leg, but also because of wasted opportunities earlier in the competition.
The 32-year-old averaged slightly higher than MVG (99.36 to 99.10) and was disappointed not to win.
‘Michael is a fantastic player and a fantastic champion, but I am absolutely gutted,’ he said.
‘I cannot believe I’ve lost, but credit to Michael, he is a great guy and a wonderful champion.
‘I think the second leg cost me, missing three at 32 for a break of throw. I’m absolutely devastated.’
Cullen will be comforted by the substantial £125,000 award for coming in second place, but MVG will take home a massive £275,000 for winning the trophy.