Luke Littler’s World Darts Championship rival Michael van Gerwen reveals why he’ll REFUSE the 17-year-old’s mid-match rituals in tonight’s ultimate on account of darts gamers’ ‘disgusting’ behavior

Michael van Gerwen is set to refuse some of Luke Littler‘s mid-match routines when the pair face off during Friday’s World Darts Championship final, having revealed ahead of the tournament that he finds the habits ‘really disgusting’.

The Dutchman, who is now one match away from claiming his fourth world title, soared past Chris Dobey with a 6-1 victory in the semi-finals on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old sensation Littler, who was defeated by Luke Humphries in last year’s final, cruised through his last four challenge against Stephen Bunting, winning by the same score as Van Gerwen.

Littler has made a habit of shaking hands with his opponents and even embracing them en route to Friday’s showpiece final at the Ally Pally, doing so with both Nathan Aspinall and Bunting in the last two rounds.

Van Gerwen revealed ahead of the tournament why he chooses not to partake in the hand-shaking ritual, keen to avoid physical contact with his opponents on the oche.

‘You have a lot of players who have rituals,’ he told the Darts Draait Door podcast in December. ‘Before the match they lick their entire hand. You really have a lot of them. I find that really disgusting.’

Michael van Gerwen (above) is eyeing his fourth world title against Luke Littler in Friday’s final

Littler, 17, will become the youngest champion in history if he triumphs over the Dutchman

The youngster has made a habit of shaking hands with opponents between sets on the oche

Admitting that he prefers fist-bumping opponents rather than shaking their hand, Van Gerwen added: ‘I really don’t do that (handshake). I actually always do a boxing match, just to be safe.’

Several darts stars such as Gerwyn Price and Rob Cross lick their fingers on the oche in an effort to increase friction and grip before throwing. 

Sky Sports commentator Mark Webster criticised Littler and Bunting for showing too much respect on the oche during their semi-final, as the pair regularly shook hands, embraced and fist-bumped throughout the contest.

Lamenting a lack of bite between the two darts stars as they continually gestured respect towards one another, Webster said: ‘That’s all a bit much. This is a World Championship semi-final. Maybe I’m being a bit harsh.’

But Littler has hinted there will be a respectful rivalry between the two finalists at Alexandra Palace, admitting there will be ‘no fist-bumps’ on the oche.

In an interview with talkSPORT ahead of the final, Littler said: ‘There will be no fist bumps after sets, I’m pretty sure. 

‘Of course, it’s the final and we’ve both got to stay focused. I can’t wait for it tomorrow.’

‘This is the main one that fans wanted to see, well as soon as Luke [Humphries] went out. As soon as Luke went out, all the focus was on me,’ he added.

Littler regularly embraced Stephen Bunting (right) during his superb 6-1 win in the semi-finals

Nathan Aspinall also shook hands with and embraced the teenager during their quarter-final

Gerwyn Price (pictured in February 2024) is known to lick his fingers to aid friction and grip

‘But you’ve got to see who Michael has got past, he’s got through some tough challenges and so have I. But this is probably the hardest game to win.’

Comparing this year’s run to the last, Littler told Sky Sports after his victory over Bunting: ‘I’ve played better. I’ve won plenty of titles leading up to this. 

‘I can’t wait. If we both turn up like we did tonight, it’s going to be really good.’ 

Meanwhile, Van Gerwen’s one and only slip in his 6-1 win arrived in his televised interview on stage afterwards, when the three-time champion dropped the F-bomb as he said: ‘I’ve won f*** all yet.’