'I back myself with or without the darts' - Luke Littler uses one shot to shine winning Flanders Darts Trophy in dramatic scenes

Luke Littler captured the fourth title of his career on the European Tour in Antwerp on Sunday. The young Englishman defeated Josh Rock 8-7 in a blood-curdling final to win the Flanders Darts Trophy. It already marked his fifth ranking title of 2025, a year in which he continues to reap impressive regularity.

Another success in Belgium

The Antwerp Xpo once again became a scene of success for Littler. Earlier this year he already took a Euro Tour title on Belgian soil, and now the 18-year-old sensation confirmed his status as a crowd favorite and top player by lifting the cup in Antwerp as well. Littler displayed a series of convincing matches throughout the tournament and proved once again why he is seen as the future of darts

In the final match, Josh Rock initially seemed to be the superior player. The Northern Irishman, who won this year's World Cup of Darts together with compatriot Daryl Gurney, took a comfortable 4-1 lead over the reigning world champion. However, Littler showed resilience and character by winning five of the six subsequent legs, completely taking the momentum to himself.

Still, Rock refused to give up just like that. Trailing 7-6, he produced a masterful 161-checkout from the bullseye, keeping his last hopes alive and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Littler, however, remained icily calm and threw a tight 11-darter in the deciding leg to decide the game for good.

Afterwards, Littler expressed satisfaction with his performance, although he admitted that nerves struck briefly after Rock's spectacular finish. “I think I started off okay, I wasn’t the quickest away, my cover shooting, my doubles, they all went well!

“When Josh [Rock] hit the 161 checkout, it wasn’t a good feeling, but then I knew all I had to do was break the throw and win the game. Ever since I started playing darts I have always loved a last-leg decider. I back myself with or without the darts but I knew I had to go out in eleven there.”