Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Darts Sensation Luke Littler Claims German Crowds’ Boos Stem From Nationality
Darts prodigy Luke Littler believes he is being targeted with jeers in Germany due to his English nationality. The rising star faced heckling during a Premier League Darts event in Berlin recently and recalled a similar hostile reception in Hildesheim during a European Tour competition. This comes as the young player, currently dominating the Premier League standings, experienced a quarter-final exit on night nine of the prestigious tournament.
Littler Reflects on Berlin Crowd’s Reaction
Littler, despite leading the Premier League Darts table by a substantial six points, suffered a setback with a quarter-final loss on night nine. He was defeated 6-2 by Chris Dobey, a match where he appeared affected by the vocal disapproval from the Berlin spectators. While his walk-on proceeded without incident, the 18-year-old states the booing commenced as soon as he reached the stage. Littler attributes this negative atmosphere to his English heritage.
In an interview with Oche180, Littler commented on the situation, stating, “I experienced a momentary lapse in concentration, something that happens to many players. I genuinely don’t understand the booing, and I can’t explain it. My walk-on was fine, but the moment I stepped onto the stage, the booing started.”
Historical Booing Incident in Hildesheim
Littler further recounted a previous unpleasant experience with German crowds, adding, “I was booed in Hildesheim last year during a European Tour match against Peter Wright. I was performing exceptionally well, but when the booing began, it disrupted my game, and I ended up losing. Even after taking a one-leg lead, the negative reaction persisted. Wright then took a 5-1 lead. It was definitely one of those moments.”
Dealing with Crowd Negativity
He acknowledged that dealing with such crowd reactions is part of professional darts, saying, “It’s something we all have to contend with. It’s evident that certain individuals in the audience target particular players. Luke Humphries and myself are often subjected to it a lot. It seems the German fans may harbor some animosity towards English players.”
Contrast with UK Fan Support and Isolated Incidents
Littler generally enjoys strong support from fans in the United Kingdom. However, he has faced booing in Liverpool, potentially linked to his public support for Manchester United. Additionally, he was jeered in Newcastle before his match against Stephen Bunting on Premier League night eight.
Response and Premier League Dominance
Notably, Littler responded emphatically to the Newcastle negativity, securing a dominant 6-0 victory and subsequently defeating Rob Cross and Luke Humphries to clinch his fourth nightly title. His strong performances have placed him comfortably at the top of the Premier League leaderboard, six points ahead of Humphries, whom he defeated in the previous year’s play-off final.
Play-off Qualification and Future Prospects
It would require a significant decline in performance for Littler to not qualify for the play-offs in May this year. His current form suggests he will be a strong contender for both the World Championship and Premier League titles.
Managing Workload
Tournament Selection Strategy
In recent statements, Littler revealed he has been selectively skipping tournaments to manage his demanding schedule. The young darts player has withdrawn from the last two European Tour events and has consistently stated that he engages in minimal practice during tournament periods.