Postpublished at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
And at the end of it all, the world champion is the greatest darts player on the planet.
Michael van Gerwen is the 2017 PDC world champion.
Until next year...
Image source, EPASummary
Michael Van Gerwen wins his second world title at Alexandra Palace
Dutch world number one beats Scotland's Gary Anderson 7-3
Players made 42 180 maximums - the most in any darts match
Average (3 darts): 107.79 Van Gerwen, 104.93 Anderson
'Mighty Mike' Van Gerwen has won his last 28 matches
Champion takes home £350,000 prize money
Postpublished at 22:10 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Alas, though, it has to end.
It all started before Christmas and ends on this Bank Holiday Monday.
Christmas is darts and darts is Christmas.
And then it was over.
Postpublished at 22:07 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
The crowd are singing 'Please Don't Take Me Home'. They don't want it to end. I know how they feel.
Key statspublished at 22:06 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 7-3 Anderson
180s thrown: 20 Van Gerwen, 22 Anderson
Average (3 darts): 107.79 Van Gerwen, 104.93 Anderson
Highest checkout: 125 Van Gerwen, 81 Anderson
Checkout percentage: 44.26% Van Gerwen, 37.78% Anderson
Checkouts 100+: 5 Van Gerwen, 0 Anderson
100+ thrown: 57 Van Gerwen, 47 Anderson
Postpublished at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
More from Michael van Gerwen: "I worked really hard for this all year through I’ve got great support from my family and this means a lot to me."
Image source, EPAget involved Get Involvedpublished at 22:04 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
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Andrew Palmer: So deserved , stunning and in my little opinion the best ever darts player.
Postpublished at 22:02 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Gary Anderson on Sky Sports: "It's well deserved for Michael with the year he's had, but I've had a good three years. The crowd's been fantastic, we've had a great couple of weeks. At 2-2 I just started to drop and got punished."
Postpublished at 22:01 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
2017 world champion Michael van Gerwen on Sky Sports: "I feel absolutely over the moon. I had to find my A game.
"My average of 108 says it all - it was incredible for everyone. He put me under pressure and I missed a few doubles but I managed to come into the game.
"I’ve been working for this, it’s the most important one, we all fight for this really hard and I’m really glad I did the right thing at the right moments because Gary is a phenomenal player."
Postpublished at 22:00 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen, by the way, averaged 108.06. Anderson's was 104.39. That's better than in both of his final wins of 2015 and 2016.
Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Michael van Gerwen can barely wait to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy. He grabs it, throws it aloft and roars at the crowd. Fireworks, ticker tape. A helluva celebration.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 21:57 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
No messing about. The trophy is already being dished out. They have got it back from that stage invader...
Postpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
An embrace. Van Gerwen has tears in his eyes. The Dutchman, the world number one, is a two-time world champion. An incredible, incredible final.
Michael van Gerwen is the 2017 World Championpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 7-3 Anderson 10th set: 3-2
Won with the bullseye!
Image source, Rex FeaturesPostpublished at 21:54 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 6-3 Anderson 10th set: 2-2
Has Anderson dropped at the crucial time? 180 for MVG. Anderson must take out 134. Missed. MVG on 85 for the title...
Postpublished at 21:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 6-3 Anderson 10th set: 2-2
The noise is incredible. Anderson has his name ringing in his ears as he throws once more. Yet another maximum. That's 21 for Anderson. Not that it matters. Van Gerwen out in tops. He's a leg away once more...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
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Luke Rundle: So happy Anderson won that set, means we get more of this final. Wonderful entertainment. Long may it continue.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 21:52 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 6-3 Anderson 10th set: 1-2
My word. Still the T20 is peppered. Anderson, then Van Gerwen. The standard is through the roof once more. MVG for 124 and a crucial break.
Oh, misses single 14. Incredible. Anderson in for tops. The roar is heard in Motherwell.
Postpublished at 21:51 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 6-3 Anderson 10th set: 1-1
Anderson believes. The crowd sing. Van Gerwen is down first, but that's only a hold. The big legs are when Anderson throws...
Key statspublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
180s thrown: 17 Van Gerwen, 19 Anderson
Average (3 darts): 106.25 Van Gerwen, 104.74 Anderson
Highest checkout: 125 Van Gerwen, 81 Anderson
Checkout percentage: 41.38% Van Gerwen, 36.36% Anderson
Postpublished at 21:50 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2017
Van Gerwen 6-3 Anderson 10th set: 0-1
Remember, we had someone invade the stage when MVG was throwing for the title. Admittedly, he'd missed his first dart, but still. Hello. Anderson out in 11 darts. The Scot is swinging for the fences.