World Darts Championship: Luke Littler sets up final showdown with Michael van Gerwen after superb display against Steven Bunting | News about darts
Luke Littler demolished Steven Bunting 6-1 to set up a World Darts Championship final against Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace on Friday, live on Sky.
Littler is in his second Worlds final in as many years and, after coming up short in the big dance against Luke Humphries in 2024, has the chance to take the final step and claim world title glory in 2025.
His stats were incredible in his semi-final, averaging 105.48 with 13 180s and a 44 percent doubles success rate.
In the opening semi-final, Van Gerwen saw off Chris Dobey by the same margin to reach his seventh final and give himself the chance to lift the Sid Waddell Trophy for a fourth time.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Luke Littler nailed a 170 against Stephen Bunting to edge out the final of the World Darts Championship by a leg
Littler, 17, will face Dutchman Van Gerwen, 35, on Friday evening, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Darts from 7.30 p.m.
The pair faced off 12 times in their careers, with six wins each.
“If we both perform like we did tonight, it will be a really good (final),” Littler said Sky Sports after his victory.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Littler nails the bullseye in a cash 84 to advance 5-1 against Bunting
“Once Luke Humphries left, that’s what everyone was looking at, but I had to focus on the quarter-finals and the semi-finals. Now I’ve done that, I can focus on Michael tomorrow.
“We all know he is chasing a fourth world title. Chasing my first one.
“Just like last night, go home, relax and come back tomorrow.”
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Stephen Bunting and Luke Littler shared a fine moment as ‘The Bullet’ finally grabbed the first set of their semi-final clash to make it 4-1 over Littler, with ‘The Nuke’ going wild for the Bunting as he hit double 20.
Littler shows class to close out back-to-back Worlds finals
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Stephen Bunting and Luke Litter blow the roof off Alexandra Palace with their walks ahead of their semi-final clash
After making the final of the Worlds on debut in 2024, Littler is only the seventh player in history to make back-to-back finals.
The opening set was a tight contest between the pair which Littler saw off with some clinical doubling, but with both averaging over 100 it was clear this was going to be a high-scoring contest.
As the oldest player left in the event faced off against the youngest, the 39-year-old’s doubling was impeding his progress and this allowed Littler to prevail and secure a 3-0 lead, 158 checkouts and a 105.75 set average that came in handy in course. .
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Littler hit a massive 158 against Stephen Bunting during their semi-final clash
Bunting showed grit and real character to claw back a set to take the match to 4-1, but after missing a set of darts to make it 4-2, Littler came through in the clutch and fired an 84 on the bullseye to make it himself set away.
The 17-year-old then fell a leg short of the final in the most remarkable fashion as he ran into Big Fish, ‘The Nuke’ sinking to write his name in the history books once again.
MVG cruises past Dobey to lock up last place
Van Gerwen took to the Ally Pally stage for his zone semi-final and led 1-0 against the throw before stealing the second set in a deciding leg, Dobey missing three darts in the doubles to level. game.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Highlights from the World Championship of Darts semi-final between Michael van Gerwen and Chris Dobey
Although he got off to a rough start, Dobey then lived up to his ‘Hollywood’ moniker and rolled in Big Fish and a 108 cash to erase the fourth set and get back into the contest.
Dobey’s dominant set of brilliance was a short-lived moment at the head of the contest, however as Van Gerwen responded with a whitewash set of his own and a stunning average of 107, they were quickly 3-1 up, three from the next. Four legs, then, would give him an advantage in four sets.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Chris Dobey hit a huge big fish in the third set as he looks to fight back against Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final of the World Championship of Darts
The ‘Green Machine’ was just too much of a force for Dobey to overcome and with a cash of 158 en route to completing the sixth set and then a break in the seventh, he nailed D16 to book a place back on the biggest stage . of all.
“You always have ups and downs, but today I had the right mindset. Even when things didn’t go my way, I did good things at the right times,” Van Gerwen said. Sky Sports.
Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Michael van Gerwen hit a massive 158 cash against Chris Dobey in their semi-final match as the Green Machine cruises to its biggest finish of the tournament
“Winning on this stage, especially in the semi-finals, means a lot to me. My family watches me and it means a lot.
“We’re still so far away. I still have to fight. Tomorrow is another day and the title is far away. That’s what you have to keep telling yourself. I don’t want to make mistakes. I want to keep it that way.
“I love performing on stage. It’s my passion, it’s my life. Of course, I have a family now, but it is what it is. I enjoyed it tonight.”
What’s next?
Littler will face Van Gerwen in the final of the World Darts Championship, live on Sky Sports from 7.30pm on Friday 3 January.
The World Darts Championship kicks off a big 2025 with live darts on Sky Sports, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
Littler is the defending Premier League champion after beating world No 1 Humphries in last year’s final – but will he go into this year’s events as world champion?
Who Will Win The Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch the final exclusively live on Sky Sports’ exclusive darts channel. Stream darts and more top sports with NOW.
2025-01-02 22:53:00
