Luke Littler branded 'arrogant' after star confronted on stage by rival before winning Belgian Darts Open

Luke Littler branded 'arrogant' after star confronted on stage by rival before winning Belgian Darts Open

WATCH NOW: Luke Littler reacts to hitting a nine-darter earlier this year

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 11/03/2024

- 07:28

The youngster was criticised by an opponent during the tournament in Belgium

Luke Littler has been labelled 'arrogant' by a rival after he was confronted on stage before claiming victory at the Belgian Darts Open.

German star Ricardo Pietreczko was not happy with the youngster after losing in the semi-final of the tournament on Sunday.


Littler beat Rob Cross in the final on Sunday evening, hitting a nine-darter before overcoming his fellow Premier League star in a deciding leg 8-7.

But the real drama came in the semi-final when Pietreczko appeared to square up to the 17-year-old in the wake of his loss.

Luke Littler and Ricardo Pietreczko

Luke Littler was confronted on stage by Ricardo Pietreczko on Sunday

PDC

Littler won the match 7-3 with an average of over 104 but something had clearly annoyed his opponent.

Pietreczko went up to Littler to shake his hand but got very close to his face and appeared to say something in an aggressive manner.

Littler looked bemused by the incident as Pietreczko collected his darts from his table and walked off stage.

He didn't let it affect him as he walked back towards the crowd and celebrated his progression through to the final.

Pietreczko took to Instagram to criticise Littler afterwards, saying he hopes his 'arrogance punishes him'.

The 29-year-old wrote: "So I really appreciated the fact that you can play a game like that at such an age. But I hope the arrogance punishes him."

Littler then went on Facebook to explain his confusion on the incident.

He posted: "No idea what I did wrong, no idea what he said. He said something then don't do it again."

Littler was back in action less than an hour later to take on 2018 world champion Cross in the final.

Cross had deposited Gerwyn Price in the semi-final to set up an intriguing clash with Littler.

He had won his last meeting against the teenager in the Premier League and again gave him a run for his money,

Littler wowed the crowd with a nine-dart leg to go 6-5 up in the first-to-eight match.

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Luke Littler and Ricardo Pietreczko

Ricardo Pietreczko appeared to be angry at Luke Littler and has since called him 'arrogant'

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However, Cross won the next two legs to put himself on the brink of victory.

But Littler bounced back to set up a decider before seeing it out in style to confirm his third tournament win.

He was delighted with the victory, with the added gloss of a perfect leg.

Littler said: "I'm just glad to get over the line. I lost the two legs after I hit the nine so I'm relieved to get the win

Luke Littler

Luke Littler was left bemused by the incident at the Belgian Darts Open

PDC

"It's always good to be involved in a good game; me and Rob have battles and we bring the best out of each other.

"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."

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