After little-known Belgian Mike De Decker produced the efficiency of his life to say the World Grand Prix title in Leicester on Sunday, is he now a shoo-in for subsequent 12 months’s Premier League?
Belgian De Decker held off a fightback from defending champion Luke Humphries to win an epic remaining 6-4 and declare his first main title.
De Decker, who was thirty sixth within the PDC Order of Benefit earlier than his profitable run on the Mattioli Enviornment, lived as much as his ‘Actual Deal’ nickname as he took house the winner’s cheque for £120,000, however De Decker admits he might not be prepared for the Premier League after seeing the impact on others.
“I’m a major champion and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing for the last 18 months and hopefully there’s many more of these trophies coming my way. To be honest, I don’t think I’m ready for the Premier League yet. It’s week after week against the top eight in the world, every single week,” mentioned De Decker.
“I’ve seen it with Kim [Huybrechts], I’ve seen it with Dimitri [Van den Bergh] and Jelle [Klaasen], who is a good friend. I don’t know, but if they put me in I’ll say yes a hundred per cent, but if they don’t put me in, then fine. Maybe next year, or the year after. It’s not up to me.”
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Mike De Decker lifted the World Grand Prix trophy to a rousing rendition of his walk-on music, Three Little Birds by Bob Marley!
The game’s high stars – together with reigning champion Luke Littler and world No 1 Humphries are assured to participate, whereas De Decker’s fellow Belgian Van den Bergh – winner of the 2024 UK Open – may also be within the combine.
Humphries mentioned: “He is put himself within the combine for the Premier League and I do not assume they’ll low cost him. It could be a battle between him and Van den Bergh for a spot as a result of they’ve each received a serious, however possibly it is likely to be a superb time to provide Mike an opportunity.
“You can’t just win one major tournament and expect to be in. Even if he doesn’t win another major or make a final or semi, he just has to show that willingness to play brilliant darts.
“Say he is in all these tournaments and he wins a pair enjoying good after which will get edged out, you might have simply bought to point out that stage and it stays there as a result of if he has a superb Worlds I would put him in to be sincere. It is at all times good to provide another person an opportunity and see how they do. I feel he’d relish the prospect.
“You can only put him in and see how it goes. Dimitri has had a go. It worked out well for him once but not the other times. I don’t think he’s played his best darts because I think there’s another level in Mike. He’s an incredible scorer.
“He is bought to maintain proving it like I needed to and I did. Even when he does not win any of the subsequent 4 tournaments, I nonetheless assume he may need an awesome shout.”
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Try the most effective motion from Finals Evening of the Premier League in London which was received by teenager Luke Littler
The brand new Premier League season kicks off in Belfast on Thursday, February 6, stay on Sky Sports activities as darts’ largest celebration returns to an unchanged line-up of 17 venues throughout the UK and Europe all the best way till Could’s season-ending Play-Offs at London’s O2.
2025 BetMGM Premier League dates
Evening 1 – The SSE Enviornment, Belfast – February 6
Evening 2 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow – February 13
Evening 3 – 3Arena, Dublin – February 20
Evening 4 – Westpoint Exeter – February 27
Evening 5 – The Brighton Centre – March 6
Evening 6 – Motorpoint Enviornment, Nottingham – March 13
Evening 7 – Utilita Enviornment, Cardiff – March 20
Evening 8 – Utilita Enviornment, Newcastle – March 27
Evening 9 – Uber Enviornment, Berlin – April 3
Evening 10 – AO Enviornment, Manchester – April 10
Evening 11 – Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam – April 17
Evening 12 – M&S Financial institution Enviornment, Liverpool – April 24
Evening 13 – Utilita Enviornment, Birmingham, Could 1
Evening 14 – First Direct Enviornment, Leeds – Could 8
Evening 15 – P&J Stay, Aberdeen – Could 15
Evening 16 – Utilita Enviornment, Sheffield – Could 22
Play-Offs – The O2, London – Could 29
What stay darts is subsequent on Sky Sports activities?
Luke Humphries claimed his maiden Grand Slam of Darts title final 12 months
Stay darts returns to Sky Sports activities with the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton from November 9-17 as Luke Humphries seems to be to defend his title.
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Luke Humphries nailed this 91 end to defeat Rob Cross 16-8 and win his first Grand Slam of Darts title
Consideration then switches to the flip of the 12 months and the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, starting on December 15, because the darts calendar continues to supply pleasure all year long – and you’ll take pleasure in the easiest right here stay on Sky Sports activities.
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