The Rockstar Rocks Rotterdam as Cullen wins night 7 of the Premier League
The Rockstar Rocks Rotterdam as Cullen wins night 7 of the Premier League
On Thursday, Joe Cullen denied Michael van Gerwen a dream homecoming in Rotterdam, defeating the Dutchman 6-5 in the final to earn his first Cazoo Premier League night victory.
Cullen stunned the 10,000-strong Rotterdam Ahoy crowd with some clutch finishing under duress in the Night Seven final, edging off home hero Van Gerwen.
Cullen had had a shaky start to his Premier League career, sitting at the bottom of the table heading into the night, but wins over Gary Anderson, Peter Wright, and Van Gerwen saw him become the sixth different winner in the first seven nights.
Cullen’s first taste of the Ahoy atmosphere was almost fleeting, as he was defeated 6-5 in the quarter-finals by last week’s winner Anderson after surviving four match darts.
After defeating world number one Wright 6-4 in the semi-finals, the 2022 Masters champion advanced to his second final of the year, where he won the £10,000 bonus.
“It’s great to get the win, there’s nothing better than playing a Dutchman in their backyard,” said Cullen.
“The crowd was unbelievable. I thought playing Jonny Clayton in Cardiff was special but this tops it.
“It’s a special night for me, especially to get the five points because I was struggling a bit at the bottom of the table but now I’m back.
“I don’t think I played much better than I did last week, the Premier League is tough every week.
“I think the new format has helped me out, winning five points tonight keeps me right in the hunt for the Play-Offs.”
2022 Cazoo Premier League
Night Seven – Rotterdam Ahoy
Thursday March 24
Quarter-Finals
Peter Wright 6-5 James Wade
Jonny Clayton 6-5 Gerwyn Price
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Michael Smith
Semi-Finals
Joe Cullen 6-4 Peter Wright
Michael van Gerwen 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Final
Joe Cullen 6-5 Michael van Gerwen
Night Eight – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Thursday March 31
Quarter-Finals
Michael van Gerwen v James Wade
Joe Cullen v Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright v Gary Anderson
Jonny Clayton v Michael Smith
