Littler Edges Rock in Antwerp Thriller to Claim Fourth Euro Tour Crown

Luke Littler picked up his fourth European Tour title of 2025 on Sunday evening, edging Josh Rock 8-7 in a dramatic final to be crowned Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy champion.

The 18-year-old, who also tasted success in Belgium earlier this season, added yet another accolade to his growing collection with a superb showing at the Antwerp Xpo. It marks his fifth ranking victory of the year and another statement performance on the European stage.

Rock started the final in brilliant fashion, racing into a 4-1 lead, but Littler battled back with five wins in six legs to take command. The Northern Irishman briefly halted the charge with a sensational 161 checkout on the bull, but the World Champion held his nerve and sealed the trophy in style with a clinical 11-darter.

“I think I started okay – the doubles, the cover shots, everything clicked,” Littler reflected. “When Josh hit that 161 it hurt, but I just told myself to break his throw and get over the line. I love a last-leg decider – that’s where I back myself.”

The Warrington star has now claimed four European Tour titles from only eleven appearances since bursting onto the scene at the start of 2024 – three of those triumphs coming in Belgium.

“The Euro Tour stage is special for me, especially here,” Littler added. “The Belgian crowd have been incredible. I’ve said before – they deserve a Premier League night here. They were behind Josh when he was ahead, but once I fought back they were right back with me. Now it’s onto a busy few months, I know what’s coming and I’m ready.”

Littler’s road to the title began with a 6-0 demolition of Dylan Slevin, before averaging 110 in a 6-3 win against Ryan Searle. He edged Damon Heta in a last-leg quarter-final before sweeping aside Daryl Gurney 7-1 in the semi-finals.

Rock, meanwhile, was denied a second Euro Tour crown despite another impressive campaign. The County Antrim man began with narrow wins over Karel Sedláček and Stephen Bunting, then averaged 101 to defeat Luke Woodhouse. A 7-5 victory over James Wade carried him into the final, where he fell just short against Littler for the second time in as many months.

“That’s why he’s World Champion,” Rock admitted. “I’m always hard on myself but I’m proud of what I did. If you go to a last-leg decider with Luke Littler you have to give everything. It’s all part of the learning curve and I’ll keep pushing for titles.”

Elsewhere, Wade reached his third semi-final of the season after beating Leon Weber and Gian van Veen, while Gurney produced one of the displays of the weekend with a whitewash win over Danny Noppert following victory against Mario Vandenbogaerde. Noppert, Van Veen, Woodhouse and Heta all completed the last-eight lineup.

The European Tour resumes next weekend with the Czech Darts Open in Prague (September 5-7), the eleventh event on this year’s circuit.

Littler Edges Rock in Antwerp Thriller to Claim Fourth Euro Tour Crown

2025 Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy

Sunday August 31

Afternoon Session (1300 local time, 1200 BST)

Third Round

Luke Woodhouse 6-5 Mensur Suljovic

Josh Rock 6-5 Stephen Bunting

James Wade 6-2 Leon Weber

Gian van Veen 6-3 Martin Schindler

Daryl Gurney 6-5 Krzysztof Ratajski

Danny Noppert 6-4 Mario Vandenbogaerde

Damon Heta 6-4 Ryan Joyce

Luke Littler 6-3 Ryan Searle

Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)

Quarter-Finals

Josh Rock 6-4 Luke Woodhouse

James Wade 6-4 Gian van Veen

Daryl Gurney 6-0 Danny Noppert

Luke Littler 6-5 Damon Heta

Semi-Finals

Josh Rock 7-5 James Wade

Luke Littler 7-1 Daryl Gurney

Final

Luke Littler 8-7 Josh Rock

Gerwyn Price had withdrawn from the Blåkläder Flanders Darts Trophy this weekend due to an infected hand. As Price withdrew after the tournament had begun, Ryan Joyce received a Bye straight into Round Three.