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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Don't judge him' – Darts star reveals Michael van Gerwen's words to him straight after shocking ‘pub player' slur
He also explained what he feels triggered the outburst Full one-eighty 'Don't judge him' – Darts star reveals Michael van Gerwen's words to him straight after shocking 'pub player' slur DARTS STAR Pero Ljubic has defended rival Michael van Gerwen after the ex-world champ labelled him a "pub player". The outburst caused outrage in the media - but Ljubic has now come to the aid of his Dutch opponent. 4 Van Gerwen appeared to slam his opponent following a nervy victory last week in Poland Credit: Getty 4 Croatian thrower Pero Ljubic does not hold a grudge against the Dutchman Credit: Instagram / @peroljubic78 Van Gerwen's insults included calling his opponent a "pub player" as well as saying "[Ljubic] won a few legs and it feels like his birthday". However - speaking to Polish darts outlet Okiem Darta - Ljubic downplayed the severity of Van Gerwen's jibes. The Croatian revealed that Van Gerwen apologised for his comments immediately - and asked people not to leap to conclusions. He said: "Michael apologised to me straight away. We know each other well, and I know he meant no harm. READ MORE ON DARTS FLIGHT TROUBLE Darts duo suffer nightmare start to Baltic Sea Darts Open amid BA blunder "Don't be too quick to judge – emotions can take over in moments like that.' Van Gerwen and Ljubic were drawn against each other in the Poland Darts Masters last week. Van Gerwen - ranked third on the PDC Order of Merit - was expected to demolish his opponent, who sat 140 places below him in the rankings. Instead, the three-time World Championship winner stumbled to just a shaky 6-4 victory, prompting his shocking post-match comments. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Ljubic said: "He was just frustrated with his own performance. 'For me, what matters most is someone's honesty – not what the internet says." Darts star Michael van Gerwen rips into 'pub player' rival Pero Ljubic Ljubic's classy reaction even extended to paying his legendary opponent compliments. He added: "During a later chat, he even gave me some motivation. He's a genuinely decent guy and a top-class player." 4 Ljubic holds a PDC Order of Merit ranking of 143, a full 140 spots behind Van Gerwen's top three ranking Credit: Instagram / @peroljubic78 4 Van Gerwen is considered amongst the best to ever step up to the oche, and is the second most successful PDC darts player ever behind Phil Taylor. Credit: Getty Van Gerwen was eventually knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by Englishman Rob Cross. Welsh star Gerwyn Price would take the silverware in the end however, narrowly beating Stephen Bunting 8-7 in a tense final.
The Irish Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Players Championship clash descends into ‘pub darts' with even winner looking embarrassed after ‘stinking' leg
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 2 Pero Ljubic looked embarrassed after winning a marathon leg Credit: X @OfficialPDC 2 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. READ MORE IN DARTS 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 The shocked commentator reacted: "Incredible scenes here. Oh dear." Frustrations were visible on both players' faces by this stage of the marathon leg. Most read in Darts BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 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. Peter Wright stunned after James Wade farts during game The 47-year-old veteran turned to his opponent with an embarrassed look on his face and threw his arms in relief. The commentator reflected: "Pub players around the world just smiling and going, 'they can do it too'." Ljubic faced fan's favourite
Scottish Sun
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Players Championship clash descends into ‘pub darts' with even winner looking embarrassed after ‘stinking' leg
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Pero Ljubic looked embarrassed after winning a marathon leg Credit: X @OfficialPDC 2 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. READ MORE IN DARTS PRICED OUT Bankrupt former World Darts semi-finalist stuns Gerwyn Price in timely boost 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. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 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. Peter Wright stunned after James Wade farts during game 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.
