Luke Littler's Munich Misery: 'Shouldn't Have Been There' Cryptic Post After Euro Darts Exit

By Lewis Barnett 21 April, 2025 5 mins read 88 Views

God. The Nuke just can't catch a break in Germany, can he?

Luke Littler crashed out of teh German Darts Grand Prix yesterday with a semi-final defeat that clearly left him fuming. The teenage sensation took to Instagram afterward with one of those posts that screams "I'm annoyed but can't say exactly why." You know the type - vague enough to make everyone speculate but clear enough that something's definitely up.

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That German Curse Strikes Again

Littler fell 7-4 to Gian van Veen in what must've felt like déjà vu from their junior rivalry days. The Nuke had been on a decent run, taking out Cam Crabtree, Joe Cullen, and Peter Wright before hitting this Dutch-shaped wall in the semis.

I watched that match with my flatmate (who's suddenly a darts expert since Littler appeared on the scene). The kid was struggling badly early on - down 3-0 and looking completely off his game. Even switched his darts mid-match! He clawed back to lead 4-3 before Van Veen went on a four-leg tear to finish him off.

Ouch.

What's With The Random Car Photo?

After the defeat, Littler posted this weird pic of his car's footwell with a high-vis vest stuffed in the cargo net. Alongside it, he wrote: "Shouldn't have been in Munich but had to play anyway. Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that."

Reading between the lines here... is he saying he was pressured to play when he didn't want to? Back in 2022, I remember Michael Smith making similar noises about tournament scheduling. These guys are constantly on the road - I'd be cranky too if I was living out of suitcases at 17.

Germany: Where Littler's Dreams Go to Die

The stats don't lie. Littler has NEVER won a pro tournament in Germany. Not a single one. It's becoming his bogey country, which is awkward since there's about 500 more German events coming up - the European Grand Prix, Baltic Sea Open, and multiple Players Championship events.

But he's specifically mentioned only returning for Dortmund in October. Is he planning to skip the others? His team hasn't confirmed anything, but that post definitely suggests he's not thrilled about heading back anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Michael van Gerwen (who probably has a German passport at this point) was busy winning the whole thing after casually throwing a nine-darter against Ryan Searle. Some guys have all the luck.

Liverpool Awaits... And It Won't Be Pretty

No rest for the wicked. Littler's now heading to Liverpool for the next Premier League night, where he'll face... you guessed it... MVG himself in the quarter-finals.

As a Manchester United supporter walking into Liverpool, he's about to get a reception colder than my ex's heart. Those Scouse darts fans will be merciless. I've been to the M&S Bank Arena for darts night - it's basically a football atmosphere with pointy missiles.

Still, the kid's already won four Premier League nights this season. One more would set a record. Not bad for someone who was sitting GCSEs this time last year.

Listen. I've got a feeling Littler will bounce back. That's what makes him special - these setbacks just seem to fuel him. But that Instagram post? Definitely more to that story than meets the eye...

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

Can you recommend some fun dart games for parties?

Absolutely! Darts doesn't have to be all about 501 and cricket. For parties, you want games that keep everyone involved, accommodate different skill levels, and create some friendly competition.

I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?

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What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

Statistics

The first televised nine-dart finish was thrown by John Lowe in 1984, earning him £102,000.
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.

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Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.