Luke Littler was baffled by accusations of arrogance after beating Ricardo Pietreczko on his way to winning the Belgian Open.
Littler saw off the German in the semi-finals 7-3 with a visibly angry Pietreczko getting in his opponent’s face when they shook hands at the end.
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Pietreczko wrote on Instagram: “So I appreciated him a lot, that you can play such a game at such an age, but I hope the arrogance punishes him.”
Littler was as confused afterwards as he appeared on stage, saying: “No idea what I did wrong, no idea what he said, something then don’t do it again.”
LITTLER IS INTO THE FINAL! ☢️
On his European Tour debut, Luke Littler is in the FINAL! 🤯
He brilliantly defeats Ricardo Pietreczko 7-3 with a massive 104 average, can he go all the way here in Wieze?
📺 HTTPS://T.CO/YYBPPWOMK8 | #ET1 SF PIC.TWITTER.COM/LKMCDYTZCH
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) MARCH 10, 2024
Littler had the last laugh by going on to claim the title, and throwing a nine-darter in the final against Rob Cross.
The 17-year-old won 8-7 with the nine-darter coming at 5-5.
“I hit the nine and then lost the next two legs, so I’m just glad to get over the line,” said Littler.
“It’s always good to be involved in a good game. We always push ourselves to the last leg.
“I’m really happy to hit a nine-darter, I prefer 144 to 141 to finish a nine because when the first treble 20 goes in I’m confident of following it with another.
“I know the spotlight is on me because I’ve done so well but I just play my darts and get on with it. I just do what I do.”
LITTLER HITS A NINE-DARTER! ☢️🔥
LUKE LITTLER HAS STRUCK PERFECTION IN THE FINAL!
It’s yet more history from The Nuke as he pins a perfect leg in the final of his Euro Tour debut!
Starboy.
Watch the final 👉 HTTPS://T.CO/YYBPPWOMK8 PIC.TWITTER.COM/E6XLWUUUEZ
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) MARCH 10, 2024
