Darts semi-finals in London
Dominant in the final: Van Gerwen and Littler for the World Cup title
The Dutchman Michael van Gerwen and the Englishman Luke Littler duel for the darts crown in the Ally Pally. For many it is the expected dream finale.
Darts star Michael van Gerwen and whiz kid Luke Littler are playing for the world championship title in London. The Dutchman reached the World Cup final for the seventh time in his career and can hope for his first coronation in six years in London. The 35-year-old clearly defeated Chris Dobey from England 6:1. Littler (17) then defeated his compatriot Stephen Bunting with the same result.
The game on Friday evening (9 p.m./Sport1 and DAZN) is the dream finale at Alexandra Palace that many have longed for. The winner not only wins the Sid Waddell Trophy, which weighs around 23 kilograms, but also prize money equivalent to around 600,000 euros. Littler, for whom it is only the second World Cup ever, is considered the slight favorite.
Van Gerwen, who has repeatedly had sporting misfires at Alexandra Palace in recent years, acted with concentration from the start and quickly gained a lead. In the end, the Dutchman had won 18 legs, Dobey only won ten. There was never really any tension. This also applied to the second semi-final, which surprisingly ended before midnight German time.
Van Gerwen lost three World Cup finals
Van Gerwen won his three world championship titles in 2014, 2017 and 2019. Compared to his years of dominance, his returns at the biggest tournament in the world are rather meager. He lost the finals in 2013 (against Phil Taylor), 2020 (against Peter Wright) and 2023 (against Michael Smith). Littler was in the final last year as a World Cup debutant. Winning the final will see former champion Smith move into second place. The clear number one is and remains Luke Humphries.
dpa
Source: Stern
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