Ahead of Thursdays Premier League Play-off night, live on Sky Sports 2, Rod Studd remembers when Michael van Gerwen faced Phil Taylor in the 2013 final. Van Gerwen lines up against Adrian Lewis in the opening match of this weeks Play-Off night, while Taylor takes on defending champion Gary Anderson in the other semi-final at The O2, live on Sky Sports 2.The Premier Leagues top two players could meet again in the final, just a week after Van Gerwens win in Rotterdam, and Studd recalls a thrilling final encounter between the pair... Taylor v Van Gerwen, 2013 Premier League final at The O2I think the 2013 final between Van Gerwen and Taylor was probably the most defining darts match of the Premier League era.The reason I say that is because Phil had clung onto his title that year by beating Van Gerwen, but Michael was hot on his heels, so they were clearly the big two players. During Van Gerwens first ever season in the Premier League, they had drawn in their first match and then he defeated Taylor later in the competition. Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. Rod Studd Here they were, the big two, and it was for the heavyweight darts championship of the world at that time. The winner could claim he was the best player. There was that little between them and there was little separating them on the scoreboard as well.Taylor made a brilliant start, hitting a 13-darter, a 14-darter, and led 5-2. But he missed doubles crucially in legs nine and 10, allowing Van Gerwen to pounce and get back to 5-5. Michael then made it five legs on the trot to go 7-5 in front, again with The Power missing darts at doubles. Phil Taylor had a message for Michael van Gerwen after their Premier League draw on night seven of 2016 season Phil trimmed it back to 7-6 and the match appeared to be turning in his favour in the 14th leg when Van Gerwen decided not to go for the bullseye, leaving Taylor a shot at 160, which he duly took out.Wayne Mardle was on commentary and memorably said: You shouldnt play mind games with the master!Van Gerwen shrugged it off quite quickly, going 9-7 up, but there was a further twist in the 17th leg when he missed two darts at double eight for the title and Taylor hit double top, last dart in hand, to make it 9-8. Michael van Gerwen won his only Premier League title after a thrilling final with Phil Taylor in 2013 Taylor had the darts in the 18th leg, which had he held throw, would have gone into a last-leg decider. He played a brilliant leg, leaving double top again after 12 darts.It felt like Taylor was about to prove he was still the old master, but Van Gerwen completed a fantastic 132 finish.Still three years on, that lives long in the memory of Michael van Gerwen. Not because its a roof-raising finish, but due to the significance, the circumstance of the match and who he was playing. Van Gerwen celebrates with Premier League trophy You would be a brave man to say it will definitely be Van Gerwen and Taylor again in Thursdays final, because whatever combination we get - were guaranteed three brilliant matches at The O2.Watch the Premier League Darts play-offs from The O2 Arena tonight at 7pm, Sky Sports 2. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: Mardles PL Darts prediction Sky Live: PL Darts play-offs Darts stars hidden helpers Adams: MVG showed early talent New Balance Baratas España . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. 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Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. Next Generation Esports has partnered up with Blizzard to bring about the genesis of a new North American tournament, the Overwatch Winter Premiere. From December 10 through the end of January, teams from across the continent will be vying for the $100,000 prize pool. The tournament format is a bit unusual, so it will be interesting to see how this event plays out for audiences and competitors alike.The first stage of the competition centers on an open qualifier that allows two methods of entering the round of eight. Each day will consist of a bracket round, in which the winner immediately secures a spot while everyone else gains points for their placings (second place, third place and so forth). At the end of the open round, four teams will have made it through by placing first on each respective day of the open qualifiers, and four more teams will advance by having the highest accumulated points from this round as well.On to the first qualifier! The final matches of the days games showed heated competition between Kungarna, Complexity, Kingdom eSports, and FaZe Clan who had knocked out the rest of the competition. Kungarnas Andrej babybay Francisty and Conner ConnorJ Johnson displayed the sharpness of their skillset as they played Soldier 76 and Roadhog respectively to bulldoze right through Complexity for a 2-0 victory in the semifinals. Kungarna as a team is incredibly decisive as it blitzes through the map for better or worse, as all six players are always on the same page.Kungarnas opponent for the automatic round of eight seed would be decided bby a fated brawl between Kingdom eSports and FaZe Clan, both teams featuring well known star players.dddddddddddd. Kingdom eSports had picked up ex-NRG players Mark Pookz Rendon and Daniel Gods Graeser who had left the team after the Overwatch World Cup after BlizzCon. Meanwhile, FaZe Clan had Russian player George ShaDowBurn Gushcha who had demonstrated himself to all denizens of the earth what a terrifying Genji player he truly was. Adding to his arsenal, ShaDowBurn picked up D.Va who thus far is a power pick in the current meta.In what was a close match, FaZe Clan, at a huge disadvantage, almost had a miracle comeback over Kingdom eSports on Watchpoint: Gibraltar, but their hopes were dashed to pieces; Kingdom eSports displayed frightening teamwork as they advanced to fight Kungarna for the guaranteed seed into the round of eight.As both teams had standout players in their series so far, the match between Kungarna and Kingdom couldnt be described as anything less than an experienced team putting a newer team through a clinic. While Kungarna had illustrated good teamwork against Complexity, it was Kingdom who showed a more cohesive squad of six teammates in the finals, and pulverized the valiant efforts of Kungarna for a 3-0 sweep, and a spot in the round of eight. However Kungarna need not despair as there are three more open qualifiers left to prove their worth and get their revenge on Kingdom as the tournament goes on. ' ' '