Luke Littler has revealed that his European Tour boycott in Germany could be coming to an end, telling reporters in Dortmund that a return next year is "maybe on." The teenage star, who has previously skipped European Tour events in the country due to crowd concerns and only played mandatory majors and the Premier League there, spoke after a stunning 114 average in his victory over Nathan Aspinall to reach the European Championship quarter-finals on Saturday night.
"Yeah, I think, obviously, because I've not been to Germany this year apart from Berlin, it's kind of like the second time they've seen me," Littler said. "So, obviously, I want a good reception because I want to be doing European tours next year in Germany. Whereas if they're not good to me, then I won't go. But so far, so good. And with the way I'm playing, hopefully they like it, and I can produce maybe a bit better tomorrow." Asked plainly if he is planning on ending that boycott, he confirmed: "Maybe on, yeah."
The 114 average against Aspinall had Littler reflecting on what might have been, as he only learned afterwards that he could have challenged Phil Taylor's record. "Yeah, I think it was when we came back on stage. I think I was on 121, but that was the only time I looked at it. And then when we came on for the second break at 6-4, I was on 117. But yeah, I didn't know the record until just then — Phil Taylor's 118. So maybe I should have tried a bit harder! But again, I'm just really happy with myself."
Littler also paid tribute to Aspinall's fighting spirit. "That's exactly what Nathan does. He's always there; he'll never back down. So I knew full well to just keep the throw as it is and not start throwing really fast. But yeah, as everyone knows, Nathan never backs down. He was still on the finish and matching me on the finish after nine and after 12 darts. But yeah, I had to get it over the line." He added: "I think I'd say I'm a bit more relaxed, obviously, knowing him for many years. But then I've also got to look at what's happening on stage. He's not going to go away. He'll never shy away. He'll always stick at it. He'll always be there with you. But yeah, I think we both bring the best out of each other. Obviously, I've not played Luke for a while. I've not played Michael for a while. But yeah, I think my rivalry with Nathan is near mine with Luke."
The crowd in Dortmund played a part in Littler's change of heart, with around 1,500 fans coming from the Dortmund football game. "But yeah, again, tonight, obviously, I think there were 1,500 fans coming from the Dortmund game, and it felt really good tonight," he said. There was also a brief incident with a member of the crowd, which Littler explained: "Just before the bull on the 126, the front table decided to bang really loudly on the table. The guy who did it looked up. I pointed at him and said, 'That's you, that.' And then he just picked up his pen and started writing on his little 180 card. He didn't look up, so yeah, he knew what he'd done. But that's the first thing I've had all weekend, and yeah, the crowd's been very good."
Looking ahead to the longer format, Littler admitted that adapting to an afternoon session will be the hurdle. "Yeah, I mean, hopefully. I've just been to all the last ones as well. So, about four o'clock, the clocks go back, have a shower and get into bed as well. So, yeah, I just told Polly then that tomorrow afternoon will be the tough one. Waking up, getting up and playing in the afternoon. But yeah, again, tonight, obviously, I think there were 1,500 fans coming from the Dortmund game, and it felt really good tonight. But yeah, I was just getting that afternoon game out of the way, and then we can look forward to tomorrow night."
He also shared a joke with Aspinall at the end of the match. "Yeah, he was just saying at the end, 'Why do you have to play so good against me?' I just laughed. And then when he said it again, he said, 'You used to always play well against me. You always bring the best out of me.' And then when we went back to the table, he said, 'I'll get you one day.' I said, 'Yeah, maybe, Nathan.'"
