Luke Littler talks up Poland game plan after name-dropping Adam Gawlas

Luke Littler will return to the oche on Friday evening when he takes on Adam Gawlas in the first round of the Poland Darts Masters. The teenage sensation was forced to miss last weekend’s Nordic Darts Masters as he headed to Orlando for a pre-planned family holiday.

Littler has already faced Gawlas, with the duo meeting at the 2023 UK Open. On that occasion, the Czech star got the better of Littler before progressing to the semi-finals of the tournament.

But the 17-year-old will be out for revenge in Gliwice after being crowned Premier League Darts champion last month.

“It’s going to be another good experience for me - a different crowd, a different stage,” Littler explained during a conversation with the PDC website ahead of the showdown.

“I’m looking forward to it. I love playing in front of big crowds, so hopefully I can put on a show for them and get the win.

“It was going to be tough no matter who I played. I think it’s a really strong field of players, and I know what Adam is capable of.”

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Littler will get his hands on a cool £20,000 if he tastes success in Poland, while £10,000 awaits him if he finishes as runner-up.

Michael van Gerwen will be aiming to defend the title after defeating Dimitri Van den Bergh 8-3 in last year's showpiece event. And the likes of Luke Humphries, Michael Smith and Nathan Aspinall will also be vying for victory.

“The Premier League win was massive for me. I’ve got that under my belt now, but all my focus is on this weekend in Poland,” Littler added.

Littler burst onto the darts scene at the end of last year as he stunned a whole host of experienced campaigners on his way to reaching the World Darts Championship finals.

He eventually missed out on the title after losing to Humphries in the final, but went on to clinch Premier League honours after getting the better of the world champion in the play-offs at the O2 Arena in London.

And following his Premier League triumph, Littler exclaimed: “It is 100 per cent [the best night of my life]. I couldn't believe it. I went over to Luke and he said, ‘Go and celebrate with your family like you said to me.’ And I did. I just burst out crying and hugged them.

“Whenever I win something and go over to them, all the emotions come out because my mum and dad, they put their own money into me, got me the sponsors I have today. And I can't thank you enough.”