Luke Littler hit a nine-darter as he won his first European title on his debut with an 8-7 victory over Rob Cross in a thrilling final at the Belgian Open in Wieze.

Littler’s victory over former world champion Cross included six maximums compared to his opponent’s five in a see-saw battle.

Cross averaged 108 for the match and Littler 104, but it was the 17-year-old who collected the £30,000 winner’s prize.

Luke Littler put in another Saturday night prime-time performance to advance to the third round of the Belgian Open.

While a pre-recorded appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show was being aired at home, the 17-year-old featuring alongside Liam Gallagher and Millie Bobby Brown on the popular chat show, he let his darts do the talking to beat Krzysztof Ratajski 6-3 in Wieze.

Littler was frustrated by the Pole’s slow play, but he held his nerve, crucially breaking in the eighth leg with an 11-dart finish.

Victory sets up a rematch with Australian Damon Heta, who ended Littler’s hopes of winning the UK Open last week in Minehead in one of the highest quality matches in the tournament’s history.

The teenager, playing in his maiden European Tour event, says revenge is not on his mind.

“That’s what people say, revenge is a thing,” he said during his on-stage interview. “I just get on with the next game and beat what’s in front of me.”

Peter Wright has a chance to give himself a perfect birthday present after beating Michael van Gerwen.

Wright celebrates his 54th birthday on Sunday and four more wins will see him lift the title.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler)

A first ranking victory over the Dutchman since 2021 will give him confidence, even if it was not a convincing 6-4 victory.

Van Gerwen, who has been struggling with a shoulder injury, had two darts to send it to a last-leg decider but could not find his target and Wright took advantage.

Wright said: “Michael has still got a shoulder injury and I was feeling sorry for him.

“He didn’t do much practice in the back room so I thought I had a chance.

“I nearly threw it away, but I got through. Normally you have to average over a ton to beat Michael, hopefully he gets better and he starts playing the darts we know he can.”

Mike De Decker knocked out 2023 world champion Michael Smith.

Smith’s form has plummeted since winning at Alexandra Palace 15 months ago and he was outplayed by the home favourite in a 6-2 defeat.

World number one Luke Humphries also eased into Sunday’s action with a 6-1 win over James Wade.

Michael van Gerwen claimed his first European Tour title in a year after winning the Belgian Open.

Van Gerwen, who was a beaten finalist in Germany last month, overcame Luke Humphries 8-6 in the final to enter the winners’ circle for the first time since winning the European Darts Open in May 2022.

Humphries finished with a higher average and threw more 180s than Van Gerwen, but it was the Dutchman who prevailed thanks to his finishing prowess, which included a 129 checkout in the decisive 11th leg.

Van Gerwen, who now moves up to number two in the world behind Michael Smith, had earlier beaten Gary Anderson before gaining semi-final revenge on Josh Rock, the Northern Irish youngster who beat him in Leeuwarden last week.

It was a second successive final defeat for Humphries, top seed in this tournament, following his defeat to Dave Chisnall in Holland seven days ago.

The 28-year-old almost made darting perfection in the seventh leg but missed double 12 on his attempt at a nine-dart finish and then had to watch Van Gerwen lift the trophy.