‘Try to get into my head? I’ll bring out the showboats’ – Luke Littler pulls out all the stops to beat old rival Pikachu
LUKE LITTLER admits that Ricardo Pietreczko ‘tried to get in his head’ during their Players Championship clash.
The new World No1 came from behind to beat the quirky German 10-6 to reach the quarter-finals in Minehead on Saturday night.
Sign up for the newsletter
Thank you!
Luke Littler put on a show at the Players ChampionshipCredit: Taylor Lanning/PDC via Phil Lanning
Ricard Pietreczko provided a quirky challengeCredit: Getty
But Littler, 18, revealed that the pair shared bizarre on-stage verbals and admitted that it fired him up to produce a stunning showboating finish.
Littler and Pietreczko have history after the German reacted angrily to him for a flash finish at a Euro tour in Belgium last year.
The Nuke said: “We came back on at 5-5 before the callers got on stage, it was just me and him.
“He said to me, ‘I expected to get one leg and now I’ve got five legs.’
PLAN BEAU
Greaves wants to follow Fallon Sherrock as she prepares for debut World Champs
BEAUTY
Win a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan + £2,000 cash or £33k cash from just 21p with our code
“In my head I was like, ‘What are you on about?’ I genuinely said to myself, ‘You’re getting it, I’m going to win this now,’ and I did.
“That’s why I brought all the showboating. It can’t be anything else but to try and get in my head.
“If you try and get in my head I’ll just do what I do and then I’ll bring out the showboats.
“He was pretty happy after I beat him. I thought it would have been the same as on the Euro tour but it wasn’t so fair play to him.”
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Pietreczko led by 4-2 after an early break of ‘The Nuke’ throw with double four.
But Littler muscled his way back into the clash as the German started to miss doubles and eased into a 7-5 lead.
However, his moment of sheer class came with a wonder 121 finish with TWO bulls to extend the lead.
He then sealed the victory with double five.
Littler added: “This is one I’ve not won. Everyone does know that. I’m definitely chasing for it. Hopefully we can come back tomorrow and get another win.
“Obviously I’m never happy when I’m losing, 3-2 down I got it back to five-all. I had to kick on there, no more breaks. I managed to get the job done.
“I wasn’t the best on my doubles tonight. I can sharpen up on them and come again tomorrow.”
The moment of the match was Littler’s bull, treble seven, bull checkout.
He added: “I just felt like it, it was a good checkout to take. In the match I didn’t miss the bullseye either.”
The new world No1 was 4-2 downCredit: Taylor Lanning/PDC
Littler was fired up after some on-stage verbalsCredit: Taylor Lanning/PDC via Phil Lanning
GERWYN PRICE says he has his “boxing gloves” ready to face Daryl Gurney in the quarter-finals.
The Iceman and Superchin were involved in a fiery clash off-stage following their World Matchplay tie back in July.
Price beat Martin Schindler 10-6 to reach the last eight on Sunday afternoon.
He said: “I’ve got my boxing gloves packed. I’m ready for him!
“I’m not doing it on the TV at the minute but it’s due. If it doesn’t come this weekend, which hopefully it will, I feel like I can.
“Then it’s a big one round the corner, that’s the one I’m after.
testing times
THIRD Strictly star suffers nasty injury that threatens place on the show
‘SHE’S CHANGED’
Lucy Letby’s shock reaction after barrister said ‘I know you’re innocent’
“I’m feeling good, I’m confident in my ability in the way I’m playing darts. I’m feeling good personally in myself. When I get on stage that’s all I want.
“I just want to enjoy myself, enjoying playing darts and enjoy life. If you’re winning it’s a bonus.”
Gerwyn Price joked he needs his ‘boxing gloves’ to fave Daryl GurneyCredit: Getty
