Austrian darts star Mensur Suljovic delivered one of the wildest moments in darts history as Michael van Gerwen’s nightmare error left him with plenty of egg on his face.
With the score delicately poised at two legs apiece in the fifth set, van Gerwen, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, had an opportunity to win his Round Three clash against Suljovic at the Darts World Championship with a 3-1 set lead.
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The Dutchman needed to checkout with a score of 121, with a treble 20, treble 11 and a double 14 the easiest path.
However, van Gerwen misfired with his first dart and scored a single 20, before moving downstairs where he nailed a treble 17.
Needing just a bullseye to win the match, van Gerwen instead opted to go for a single 18 and left him needing 32 points to win which could be obtained via a double 16.
It was clearly a calculated gamble from the three-time world champion, as he knew Suljovic required a checkout of 161, the fourth-highest possible.
And it was a gamble that backfired in emphatic fashion.
With a path of treble 20, treble 17 and a bullseye required, Suljovic sent the Alexandra Palace wild when he nailed his first dart.
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The decibel levels went even higher when treble 17 landed.
Then the roof at the ‘Ally Pally’ was blown into space as Suljovic hit the bullseye with his final dart.
The Austrian could scarcely believe what he had just accomplished, who could only smile and laugh while his rival stood with an expressionless look etched on his face.
The Sky Sports commentary team of Wayne Mardle and John Part couldn’t quite believe what had just transpired.
“That is insane, that is insane,” Mardle remarked.
“Look at his face! Look at his face! Look at his face!
“That is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever seen!”
Part added: “Does it get any better than this? This is heaven! Nirvana! It’s Mensur!”
Unfortunately for Suljovic, that was as good as it got as van Gerwen stormed home to win their Round Three clash 4-2.
He will go on to face either Dirk van Duijvenbode or Ross Smith in the Round of 16.
