The darts elite bowed to Michael Smith. World champion for the first time, first in the world rankings for the first time, the first and only nine-darter at this World Cup: the “Bully Boy” accomplished all of this on a memorable evening in London and thus immortalized himself in the history of the trend sport.
With the 7:4 over the Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, who was considered the favourite, Smith crowned himself at Alexandra Palace. “I want to take over this sport but Michael is still here,” Smith said in direction of van Gerwen, who presented himself as a very fair loser.
“Today it’s not about my missed chances, today it’s about congratulating Michael Smith. Well done, enjoy the moment,” said “Mighty Mike” after one of the best World Cup finals in history. Gerwyn Price from Wales, who was replaced as number one, and Peter Wright (Scotland), who was replaced as world champion, also congratulated directly and publicly. “What a finale,” Price wrote on Twitter.
In just 44 days, the 32-year-old Englishman fixed all his own flaws and changed the order of the darts world. Victory at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, UK, was his first major title, having previously been announced as champion of the Shanghai Darts Masters. A good six weeks later, the father of two has climbed to the pinnacle of his sport and with the 7:4 in the turbulent final dispelled any remaining doubts about his eligibility for the title.
