January 3rd, 2023. Smith and Van Gerwen are less than two sets away in their final. With a 1-1 tie in legs, the Dutchman gets to start the third leg. A leg never to be forgotten.
Van Gerwen opens, as he often does, with a maximum score of 180. Smith, a gifted 180-thrower has an appropriate response. At that point, every triple is worth a hurricane of sound for the room.
Van Gerwen in his second turn: two triples 20, one triple 19. "Michael can miss, Michael can hit," says commentator Wayne Mardle of Sky Sports.
Not normal
"They can both hit in nine out!" shouts the former darter as Smith throws his second 180 of the leg. "This is not normal!"
Van Gerwen gets to dock first for a perfect leg. The first two darts disappear unerringly into the triple 20. The required double 12 is missed by a hair.
'Can't speak'
Then it is Smith's turn. "One misses, does the other get it done? I've never seen this before," says Mardle, who seems to be going absolutely nuts.
"Come on, Bullyboy," shouts the commentator as Smith hits the triple 20. The triple 19 is also hit. "Yes, double 12! That's the best lay you're ever going to see in your life," Mardle shouts after Smith manages to get his ninth arrow into the right square.
"I can't speak, I can't speak," can be heard from the commentator's chair as Alexandra Palace turns upside down.
Take a look at last year's footage to get in the right mood.
Smith begins defending his title on Friday night. He will play against the winner of the match between Kevin Doets and Stowe Buntz.