Michael van Gerwen and Joe Cullen produced one of the greatest matches in Premier League history on Monday night as MVG survived a match dart to beat the Rockstar 11-10 in Berlin.
It was a final to remember as Cullen nearly pulled off the upset in Germany, agonisingly missing double 16 for the win in the final leg before the Dutchman stepped in to win a record-equaling sixth Premier League title.
This came after some surprisingly one-sided semi-finals as Van Gerwen brushed aside James Wade 10-4 and Cullen beat a below-par Jonny Clayton by the same scoreline.
MVG’s huge win is his first in a major tournament since the 2020 Players Championship as he ends a dry spell which has seen him slip from his perch as the sport’s most dangerous player.
He admits it has been a really hard time over the last two years, but is ready to climb back to the top of the tungsten mountain once again.
‘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.’
Cullen was making his debut in the Premier League this year after winning the Masters in January and MVG was full of admiration for his vanquished foe.
On whether the Yorkshireman had proved that he belongs at darts’ top table, Van Gerwen told Online Darts: ‘Of course, otherwise he’s not in the Premier League.
‘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.’
While he will look back on it as a successful first campaign in the elite event, Cullen was hurting after the defeat, not just because of the missed match dart in the final leg, but opportunities earlier in the contest as well.
The 32-year-old averaged marginally more than MVG (99.36 to 99.10) and was distraught not to convert the victory.
‘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 consoled by the hefty £125,000 prize for finishing runner-up, while MVG pockets a whopping £275,000 for picking up the trophy.
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