Michael denies Geezer a clean sweep in this set by going out in 14 darts with Geezer sitting on a double for a 13 darter.
Brilliant 177 set up of double 6 for Michael, which he finishes. Deciding leg in set 7.
14 darter clinches the set for Geezer.
That was a terrific set of darts.
4-3 to the Coventry bhoy.
Geezer turning the screw.
Another 13 darter to clinch set 8 for Geezer on a 3-1 legs scoreline.
5-3 as we head to another mini-break.
Mark is warming to the task now, playing very composed darts and looking every inch the world number one.
It’s a really tough ask for Michael to turn it around from here, but he’ll have the throw in set 9 at least.
Michael was an unknown coming into this tournament and whatever happens from here on he’s given a wonderful account of himself in this tournament. He’s in bonus territory, by his own admission.
At 5-3 down he might be able to play with a little bit of freedom, that’s the way he has to look at it anyway.
And he has a good chance to go 2-0 up in set 9 now.
And he does.
We should be looking at 5-4 here, you’d think.
Ooofffttt. 149 check out by Michael to take the 9th set.
Outstanding. Six darts from 286 too.
That’s the freedom I was talking about.
11-darter from the German there. 1-1 in set 10.
Unreal 171 set up of 56.
Unreal 110 check out by Mark there leaves him one leg away - T20, D10, D15.
Exhibition stuff on the biggest stage in darts.
Mark had a dart for the match there in a 116 check out attempt but Michael cleans up from 25 to take us to a set deciding leg.
“Oh he’s hit the 1”
Mark McGeeney wins it 6-4.
Great match. The right result but Michael pushed Mark all the way. Germany can be proud of its new darting superstar and he’ll get a hero’s reception on his return to Munich.
Real tension in that final leg with Michael battling to save the match and Mark trying to make his first world final. The last leg is always the hardest to win.
Sadly Mark’s mam Kathleen passed away 15 months ago, but she would have been so proud of her bhoy today.
The World Pro final couldn’t be better poised - the world champion against the world’s number one player.
James Richardson has just revealed that Michael’s employer in Munich has given him a free extra day’s annual leave on Monday. He doesn’t have to report for work until 7.30am on Tuesday.
The seedlings tell a tale. The two best darts players in the world in the final. What more could you ask for.
A splendid gesture of German generosity. I think James was about to tell us the identity of his employer but Chris Mason cut across him at the vital moment.
Last night I wrote that Michael was “living his dream”. James exclaimed that Michael was “living the dream” as the new German hero strode backstage (in a very stylish personalised sports top too, I may add).
Hi James.
James telling us that this is the first time since 1999 that the number one and number two seeds have played each other in the final.
That Raymond van Barneveld-Ronnie Baxter duel was an 11 set epic (first to six won the title at that time). Here’s hoping for another classic tomorrow.
I seem to remember that the 1992 final also featured the number one and number two seeds and went to a final leg shoot out. That final is of course best remembered for Mike Gregory fluffing his lines when he had multiple match darts to win. Neither he nor his opponent, Stoke-On-Trent’s “Crafty Potter” Phil Taylor, ever made it back to another world final.