Luke Littler gives himself a look at a 170 checkout, the highest possible in three darts, but there's no magic on this occasion.

He can't take out 70 either, but Michael van Gerwen is too far back to capitalise and Littler is now throwing for a three-set lead.

Ironic cheers from the crowd as Michael van Gerwen misses the chance to break throw.

Luke Littler shows he is human by missing a dart at double 10, but double five comes to his rescue.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

Luke Littler has now won 21 of the last 24 legs in games against Michael van Gerwen, that's some streak against the three-time world champion, but again it's a long format.

Luke Littler needed just 39 darts to win that second set, but Michael van Gerwen will feel a little happier about things after finding the double 12 to take the opening leg of the third set.

Image source, Getty Images

If you're one of the 87,000-odd people reading this live text commentary right now, our guess is you probably think it is - and while opinion differs, you'd be right.

Darts has been officially recognised as a sport by all of the sports councils in the United Kingdom.

Sport England recognised darts as a sporting activity in March 2005 and Sport Wales, Sport Northern Ireland and Sport Scotland followed suit.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

Michael van Gerwen averaged more than 113 in that set. He didn't win a leg.

Luke Littler was imperious in averaging 115.62.

Image source, Getty Images

The way Luke Littler thrashed former BDO world champion Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the semi-finals showed why he has taken the world of darts by storm as he threw 13 180s and took out three ton-plus finishes.

"It has been an amazing tournament so far," he told Sky Sports after that match. "I have just beaten what's in front of me and I am glad to get through."

Littler has risen from 164 to provisionally number two in the world rankings since his fairytale run to the final in January 2024, where he lost to Luke Humphries.

He won 10 titles in his debut year as a professional, amassed more than £1m in prize money and was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

In the process, he has helped the profile of darts soar, with the number of junior academies doubling.

Google say he was the most searched-for athlete online in the UK during 2024.

"I have won plenty of titles leading up to this, that is what we do, we lead up to the big one, I can't wait for the final," said Littler.

That trusty double 10 again for Luke Littler!

Michael van Gerwen had a go at the bull to try to prevent a clean sweep in the second set, but he can only find the 25, allowing Littler the chance to mop up.

Michael van Gerwen can't take out 100 and Luke Littler pounces all over it.

Another break of throw, this time in 11 darts, and the teenager is on the brink of a two-set lead.

Luke Littler hits his first 180 of the match and has a bit of time to finish things off on that favourite double 10.

Moderate averages in that opening set with Littler recording a 93.28 while Van Gerwen hit 91.35, although the Dutchman had the only two 180s of the first set.

And two of the three legs Littler won came via his beloved double 10 - watch out for how many times he goes for that one tonight.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport at Alexandra Palace

While Luke Littler stopped to shake hands with friends and family during his walk-on, Michael van Gerwen was all business as he marched straight onto stage.

But it's the teenager who has settled quickest. A very impressive opening set and the atmosphere at Ally Pally is electric.

The noise when Littler hit tops to pinch the opening leg was something else!

Image source, PA Media

The players have gone off for a short break at the end of that first set.

Matches of significant length often contain short, scheduled breaks. In the case of the best-of-13-sets World Championship final, they will happen at various intervals, usually after every one or two sets.

Players will walk off stage when those breaks begin, but what they do during those three or four minutes can differ a lot!

Some will head to an area behind the scenes to clear their mind or gather some advice, while others will pop straight back onto the stage to throw some practice darts - either to keep some positive rhythm going or to try to find some momentum.

There is no limit to the amount of practising that a player can do during a break, and the referee will give the players some notice when play is set to resume.

After giving it the big build-up, perhaps we should have expected a fairly subdued start to this World Championship final.

But it's Luke Littler who takes the first set - still a heck of a long way to go, though.

Luke Littler misses darts at double 14 and double seven for the set, and that allows Michael van Gerwen an early nerve-settler at double 16 to get himself on the scoreboard.

Dan Dawson
Commentator on Sky Sports

One of Van Gerwen's big strengths in this tournament so far has been holding his own throw, so just offering up that opening leg to Littler was hardly ideal.

We haven't seen any fireworks yet by any means, but Luke Littler will be happy enough to have a couple of legs on the board and be on the brink of winning the first set.

Image source, Reuters

A steady start for both players, but Michael van Gerwen finds the first 180 of the final to leave 25.

The Dutchman busts his score at the first attempt and then misses two darts at double to win the leg at his next visit.

Luke Littler steps in - he breaks in the opening leg!

*denotes player throwing first in next leg