Darts World Cup
“Why shouldn’t I win three more games?” 16-year-old Littler on the way to becoming a double world champion
Prodigy Luke Littler after his Darts World Championship victory against Raymond van Barneveld
© Zac Goodwin/PA Wire / DPA
World champion at 16? Sounds utopian, but it is becoming more and more likely. Luke Littler fascinates fans at the Darts World Cup and is suddenly one of the closest favorites.
Raymond van Barneveld never stopped on the biggest darts stage, Luke Littler to heart with hugs. Before the 56-year-old disappeared from above with a worried expression, he gave the teenage sensation from England a few words to say. “I’ve already won four games, why shouldn’t I win three more?” Littler said late Saturday evening in London. The clear 4-1 win in the World Cup round of 16 against former champion and veteran van Barneveld (Netherlands) was the 16-year-old’s next sporting exclamation mark.
Littler, the 16-year-old with no nerves
Littler could complete the splendid double of Junior World Champion and World Champion in the coming days. “I don’t feel any nerves at all. It was incredible again,” said Littler. So far, the youngster has always treated himself to a doner kebab after his victories. According to this gusto, it would be a kebab on January 1st, 2nd and 3rd until the title, which in addition to the Sid Waddell Trophy would also bring in the equivalent of almost 600,000 euros. It would be a sports sensation.
Littler’s quarterfinal opponent is not as expected Gerwyn Price (Wales) or Gary Anderson from Scotland. But the Northern Irishman Brendan Dolan, who surprisingly defeated the two world champions Price and Anderson one after the other and is becoming more and more of a favorite at Alexandra Palace.
“Cool Hand Luke” narrowly progresses at the Darts World Cup
Top favorite Luke Humphries England narrowly escaped elimination again. Cool Hand Luke won a thrilling game against compatriot Joe Cullen 4:3. The game only ended 15 minutes before midnight local time. Humphries used his tenth match dart after a real crime thriller. The world-class professional had previously narrowly won 4-3 against Ricardo Pietreczko.
In the afternoon, former champion Rob Cross confidently reached the quarter-finals. Voltage, as the Englishman Cross is called, won the round of 16 duel against Jonny Clayton (Wales) went 4-0 and is aiming for his second title after 2018. In the quarterfinals he will face Englishman Chris Dobey. He defeated defending champion Michael Smith.