Players Championship clash descends into ‘pub darts' with even winner looking embarrassed after ‘stinking' leg
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DARTS star Pero Ljubic was left red faced after winning a leg that would not have looked out of place down the pub.
The Croatian faced Niko Springer in round one of the Players Championship 19 in Leicester today.
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Pero Ljubic looked embarrassed after winning a marathon leg
Credit: X @OfficialPDC
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The PDC joked that they had reached pub darts territory
Credit: X @OfficialPDC
Ljubic was just one from victory at 5-3 up but had a nightmare trying to close out the win.
It was a similar story for Springer, who failed to take his first two chances at winning the leg.
Ljubic then had three throws in a row to win it - going from double ten to double five - but missing every time.
It presented Springer with a second opportunity but again there was no luck.
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His opponent returned to the oche but bust his score after throwing in single 18 when going for single one.
Springer also needed double one at this point - though he ended up busting his score twice after another three wide of the target by Ljubic.
The shocked commentator reacted: "Incredible scenes here. Oh dear."
Frustrations were visible on both players' faces by this stage of the marathon leg.
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Springer nearly launched a dart at the board in pure anger before just about composing himself.
But finally after Ljubic's 26th dart of the leg, he landed the double one to win.
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The 47-year-old veteran turned to his opponent with an embarrassed look on his face and threw his arms in relief.
PDC Darts' social media account joked that they had entered "pub darts territory" in a "stinking last leg".
The commentator reflected: "Pub players around the world just smiling and going, 'they can do it too'."
Ljubic faced fan's favourite Ricky Evans in the second round and lost 6-2.
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