Michael van Gerwen fell at the final hurdle at the World Darts Championship (Picture: Getty Images)
Michael Smith has backed Michael van Gerwen to return to the summit of their sport after beating him to win his first World Darts Championship on Tuesday night.
Smith downed MVG 7-4 at Alexandra Palace, firing in a 9-darter along the way in an amazing match, which saw the Englishman finish with an average a shade under 101.
MVG looked to be fulfilling his role as favourite early in the match, claiming the first set against the darts and also leading at 3-2, but he faded and Smith continued to impress as he got hold of the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.
Van Gerwen was the pre-tournament favourite and heavily odds-on ahead of the final, but Smith overpowered him and is not only now world champion, but also world number one for the first time.
However, he expects Van Gerwen to prosper again, and thinks he has numerous more world titles coming in his career.
‘He’s won three, so I’m jealous of him, I’ve finally got my first one,’ said Bully Boy. ‘Michael van Gerwen is probably, apart from Phil Taylor, the best dart player we’ve seen.
‘He’ll probably be back in the final next year. He’ll get a fourth, get a fifth, because that’s what he wants.
Smith won his second major title after lifting the Grand Slam in November (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I think Michael wants six, because that’s one more than what Raymond [van Barneveld] has got. That’s what he’s striving for and he won’t stop. He’ll be back.’
With Smith 32 years old and MVG 33, we can expect plenty more big games between these two heavyweights of the oche, and Bully Boy will relish it.
‘I just want to play darts. I wanted to test my self against Michael van Gerwen, I want to test myself against the best players,’ he said.
‘You’ll probably see a couple more finals between me and Michael this year, on the TV, on the floor, on the Europeans.’
Van Gerwen was sportsmanlike in defeat, with three World Championship final losses to his name now, but also promised to be back and show his best again.
‘Michael [Smith] played a phenomenal game, he deserves this win,’ said Van Gerwen. ‘Of course, I had my chances – I missed too many doubles and when you don’t hit them you get punished.
‘I didn’t play too well in the last few sets but I can only blame myself for that, you have to take it on the chin.
‘When you lose games it’s hard but it’s part of the job. I will be back.’
MORE : Michael Smith reveals Michael van Gerwen message ahead of World Darts Championship final
MORE : Gerwyn Price claims he may never play at World Darts Championship again
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‘Michael van Gerwen is probably, apart from Phil Taylor, the best dart player we’ve seen.’Â
