40-1 outsider Mensure suljovic has stunned the Darting establishment by winning the Champions League of Darts at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff.
The 45 year old Austrian had only won 1 PDC title before this weekend defeated Gary Anderson 11-9 in what was a tense final. But it would be the Flying Scotsman that would strike first blood going 3-1 up with minimum of fuss.
But Suljovic would strike back and would have a purple patch. He would win the last three legs of the first session which meant he went into the break leading 4-3 thanks to his trusty friend in Double 14. Following the break he would continue his form by taking the next two to go 6-3 up before Anderson stopped the rot.
And Anderson would bite back. After making it 6-4 he would break the Austrian and then held his throw to bring the game back level at 6-6.
But from here the game would become a nip and tuck encounter. Suljovic would stop his barren run in leg 13 to make it 7-6 with a slick 60 outshot on tops. But Anderson would not wilt notching double 10 to send it to 7-7.
Following the second and final break of the showpiece match Suljovic with the 15th leg in his grasp nearly blew it after missing 7 Darts to win it before finally hitting the double. And from here it seemed the Suljovic could pull away from Scot but Anderson would bring back level hitting double 18 on the end of a 61 out.
The tension was there for all to see with Suljovic slowing down his action before stepping up to the oche and hitting double 5 to take the lead once more. The Austrian just two legs away from his maiden TV title.
By Gary Anderson once again drew level with an exhibition outshot hitting two double tops leaving what was initially a best of 21 into a best of 3.
But that was where Mensur’s favourite double 14 came to his rescue as two finishes in two legs on the double saw what was a tense but well spirited final end with the darting cinderella story with outsider Suljovic taking home the title and a cheque for £100,000.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the final he said that winning the tournament was “a perfect feeling. I never thought I could win this tournament. Gary is a brilliant player, I have so much respect for this guy. I never gave up.”
Suljovic joins a list of players such as Kevin Painter and Paul Nicholson in players who have won less than 5 tournaments that include a TV major. The victory will also see him right in the equation for a spot in the lucrative Premier League early next year.
Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon Media 