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Luke Littler’s dream of completing the set of major tournament victories is over for another year after Krzysztof Ratajski dumped him out of the European Championship.
Littler wants to become the second player after Michael van Gerwen to win all major televised events and the tournament in Dortmund is the only missing piece.
And that remains the case as the 19-year-old was well below par in a 10-6 quarter-final defeat to Ratajski, who he had never previously lost to.
This time last month, Littler was going for a clean sweep of major titles in 2026 and seemed untouchable, but he has lost his cloak of invincibility.
He lost in the quarter-finals of the World Series of Darts, the first round of the World Grand Prix and now exits in the last eight in Dortmund.
And that could give hope to the rest of the tour that Littler’s untouchable spell at the top events is over.
Littler’s attention will now turn to his Netflix show where he will take on 24 ‘amateur’ players in a one-off leg with a £501,000 prize on the line.
The show has attracted controversy this week after the line-up includes Fallon Sherrock, who has reached the third round of the World Championship, and World Darts Federation number one Mitchell Lawrie.
While Littler is heading home, Ratajski reflected on the best win of his career.
“I played against him many times, always lost,” the Pole said.
“He beat me many times, even if I am in front. He always beats me. Today it is a big win.”
He will play Martin Schindler in a semi-final no one was expecting after the home favourite produced a sublime display to demolish Jonny Clayton.
The German won nine successive legs to earn a 10-1 win and reach the last four of a major event for the first time in his career.
Gerwyn Price will face Ross Smith in the other semi-final after both men impressed in their quarter-finals.
Price put Stephen Bunting to the sword with a 10-3 victory to continue his excellent form in major tournaments this year, where he has reached at least the last four in all of them.
He almost capped his victory with a nine-dart finish, but missed the double 12 after eight perfect darts.
Smith, who is the top seed in the tournament due to his performances on the European Tour throughout the year, was equally as impressive in his 10-6 victory over Luke Woodhouse.