The PDC World Darts Championship’s Most Iconic Moments: Top Five

The PDC World Darts Championship’s Most Iconic Moments: Top Five

2. Michael Smith vs Michael Van Gerwen in the greatest leg ever played.

In 2022 Michael Smith entered his third World Championship final as the underdog to the seemingly unstoppable MVG, who had laid waste to his rivals that year by winning almost every major available.

Whilst Smith had become the perennial runner up in this competition, losing to MVG in 2019, and then to Peter Wright in a devastating loss only the year previous in 2021.

This was Smith’s third crack at a world final, and he entered this match up with a new steel about himself, bouyed by a first major win at the Grand Slam only a month earlier after losing eight finals previously.

He now possessed an almost unshakeable belief that it was his destiny to become a World Champion.

It was a prophecy finally fulfilled with a colossal 7-4 victory of the highest quality, which was punctuated by the most awe-inspiring leg of darts you are ever likely to see on television.

With the match sat at 1-0 on sets to MVG and 1-1 on legs, it was Van Gerwen who plundered the first 180 of the leg. Smith would match his adversary with one of his own, as the crowd began to sense something special in the air.

With both men sat on a finish after six perfect darts each it was MVG who faltered first missing double twelve for perfection.

Not to be phased in any way shape or form, Smith stepped in and grasped his opportunity with one hand, landing double twelve for his own nine dart finish in a scarcely believable exchange by two of the sports finest players.

Supported by the sublime commentary of Wayne Mardle, it was a euphoric moment that transcended the sport.

Coupled with the sheer magnitude of the occasion itself, it is quite simply the greatest leg of darts you are ever likely to witness.

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