Littler laughs off "finished" social media chat with huge display in Dortmund

ON-FIRE Luke Littler laughed off "finished" social media chat to deliver a huge display in Dortmund.

The king of darts produced another thrilling performance to win a quality clash 10-5 over Nathan Aspinall.

Littler served up majestic play to hammer the second-best average in the history of the event and stay on course for the European Championship title which would complete a career clean sweep.

The 19-year-old has had issues with crowds berating him in Germany in the past, but it's been largely different in Dortmund with the only problem he's had over the opening two days coming when an individual decided to slam his hand on a table and distract a leg-winning shot during the Aspinall match.

Referee Huw Ware and Aspinall were also both fully aware of the act, but Littler said: "Yeah, I mean, that's the first thing that has happened. Just before the bull on the 126, the front table, they just decided to bang really loud on the table. And then the guy that done it, he looked up, I pointed at him, I said that's you that, and then he just like picked up his pen and started writing on his little 180 card, he didn't look up. So he knew what he'd done, but that's the first thing I've had all weekend and, yeah, the crowd's been very good."

Littler expanded on the positive reception he's received inside the Westfalenhalle and continued: "I think, obviously, because I've not been to Germany this year apart from Berlin, so it's kind of like, obviously it's the second time they have seen me, so, obviously, I want a good reception because I want to be doing European Tours next year in Germany, whereas if they are not good to me, I won't go. But so far, so good. And, with the way I am playing, hopefully, they like it and I can produce maybe a bit better tomorrow."

Asked if that means, having opted against them during this year, Littler may put Germany back on his Euro Tour schedule for 2027, he replied: "Maybe on, yeah."

Littler's excellent performance and average over 115 was sublime and a message to the social-message knockers he noted following recent defeats to Jonny Clayton and Luke Woodhouse at the World Series and World Grand Prix.

He said: "It feels good. Obviously, I've had a long time off. Past results haven't gone my way and I have seen on social media, seen loads of memes, or Luke's finished, this and that. And, yeah, I've had long enough to look at them, get on the practice board myself and just forget about it all. And, hopefully, if I do lift the trophy, then I can say I have not gone anywhere. I have definitely not gone anywhere with that performance, but, yeah, just got to keep going and same again tomorrow.

"I felt really good. From the off, I think I went 12, 11, 12. Maybe 11, 12, 11. I knew the start was good and I was gutted that I gave him that leg going into the break at 4-1, I wanted the 5-0. But, as Nathan does, he is always there, he is always going to come back at you, so I couldn't afford a drop off. Then going into the second break 6-4 up, I felt confident again and, yeah, had to get the job done."

Only Phil Taylor has posted a higher average in the event and Littler added: "I looked up a few times. I think I was on 121 at one point, and then 117. So I just said to myself just keep going. I am playing well, I feel really good."

Littler now faces Krzysztof Ratajaski in the quarters as he chases the missing crown and said: "I think the biggest task is tomorrow afternoon. Playing in the afternoon, don't like it! But, hopefully, get through that one. Overall, feeling really good, playing some of my best darts I'd say. I've had so long off, been practising and it's paying off so far."