Luke Littler has been knocked out of the European Championship at the hands of Andrew Gilding. In a huge first-round shock, the teenager went down 6-4 after failing to recover from a nightmare start.
And frustration appeared to get the better of him in the penultimate leg, with Littler waving to a person in the crowd after missing a chance to level the match.
Littler has arrived in Dortmund as one of the favourites for the title, but was soon up against it after losing the opening leg.
And in the second Gilding, 53, suddenly had the crowd on their feet after throwing consecutive 180s. His hopes of a nine-darter would scuppered when he then hit triple seven, but he still took the leg with room to spare.
The out-of-sorts Littler then wasted a golden opportunity to break back after being presented with three shots at double top. He missed the board each time, with the former UK Open winner capitalising to take full control.
‘The Nuke’ finally found his rhythm though to reel off two legs on the bounce, and then responded again after Gilding had gone 4-2 ahead. The 2024 Premier League champion nailed double 20 to level the match, and at that point, appeared favourite to push on and win.
Littler reacted to his surge by sarcastically applauding himself, but moments later appeared to gesturing towards a fan in the 5,000-strong crowd. After missing a double to take the lead for the first time, Littler pointed to his right before pointedly waving.
It was unclear what the commotion was over, but Gilding ignored the drama to seal the leg and move within one of a famous victory. And after the 17-year-old failed to take out 157, his big chance came.
Needing 47, Gilding set up double 20 and then found it with his second attempt. His initial reaction was a modest one, immediately turning to shake Littler’s hand before saluting the crowd.
“Astonishing, astonishing,” said ITV commentator Stuart Pike. “Andrew Gilding has stunned Luke Littler, he’s stunned everybody. Littler goes for the first round for the third consecutive TV ranking event.”
Indeed, Littler also fell at the first hurdle at the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix events. His latest defeat wasn’t the only surprise on day one in Dortmund, with defending champion Peter Wright hammered 6-0 by Jermaine Wattimena.
