Luke Littler has hit back at Ricardo Pietreczko for calling him 'arrogant' by mocking the 29-year-old for letting him get under his skin in their feisty Belgian Open semi-final.
The 17-year-old went all the way and won the Belgian Open on his European Tour debut in a tense final against Rob Cross.
But the result was overshadowed by a bizarre incident in the semi-finals between Littler and Pietreczko.
The teenage darts sensation trounced his opponent in a comfortable 7-3 win, but the German player was unhappy with something after the match.
After shaking hands aggressively, Pietreczko leaned into Littler's face and had some stern words for his opponent.
Luke Littler was confronted by Ricardo Pietreczko
PDC
Littler appeared baffled by the confrontation, with Pietreczko taking to Instagram later to brand his semi-final opponent 'arrogant'.
The Belgian Open champion was unsure what he had done exactly to upset the 29-year-old at the time.
Littler then saw some comments to suggest it came when he had the chance of a big finish that required going for double 20 then bullseye.
The audacious attempt ultimately failed, but Littler has taken aim at Pietreczko for letting that affect him so much.
"That game, I just, I didn't know what I did wrong but a lot of people were saying it was when I was on the 147 finish and I went for T19 and I tried going tops, bull, because I love tops and if I hit the tops I would have fancied myself for bull," Littler told Sky Sports.
"But I missed it but then he let that get to him throughout the game and I had a job to do.
Littler has emerged as the biggest superstar in darts following his incredible run to the World Championship final.
He's gone from strength to strength since with his win in Belgium already his third title of the year.
Littler knows he has a target on his back, but he's staying grounded and has set his sights on winning a Premier League night next.
Luke Littler was baffled by his opponent's actions
PDC
"I think, ever since I have burst onto the scene, I know every player wants to beat me," he added.
"Even my family and my manager have said you have always got to be on your A game because anyone who plays me now, it is a cup final to them.
"Hopefully I can win a night. The Premier League is all about every week winning that first game and getting the two points on the board.
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LITTLER IS INTO THE FINAL! ☢️
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 10, 2024
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
"Then trying to extend to the three points and the five points and going all the way."
Littler is back in action on Thursday night for the seventh Premier League evening in Nottingham.
He faces a mouthwatering opening match against Michael van Gerwen, who has won three consecutive clashes with the teenager.