World Darts Championship LIVE: Latest updates as Luke Littler demolishes Raymond van Barneveld in last-16
The 56-year-old Dutchman crashed out as the 16-year-old Englishman won 4-1
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Teenage sensation Luke Littler continued his historic World Darts Championship journey by downing hero Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.
The 16-year-old has set the Alexandra Palace tournament alight on debut and is the youngest player ever to reach the last eight after a stunning 4-1 win. He showed maturity and talent way beyond his tender years to get past the five-time world champion, who he used to imitate in front of the television as a three-year-old.
Luke Humphries then clinched a classic that came down to a sudden death leg against Joe Cullen. Both men had darts at winning the match but it has the world number three who managed to get through to the quarter-finals.
Brendan Dolan also beat his second former world champion in three days when he ousted Gary Anderson 4-3. The Northern Irishman, who dumped out Gerwyn Price in the third round, was heading out as Anderson rallied from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 but he fought back to claim the final two sets and reach the last eight.
Relive all the action from the World Darts Championship below:
World Darts Championship LIVE
Almost time for the evening session at the Ally Pally. Coverage will soon be starting on Sky Sports and by the end of the night we will all know which eight players make up the quarter-finals.
Can 16-year-old Luke Littler get there?
World Darts Championship LIVE
Rob Cross’ victory over Jonny Clayton this afternoon set up a clash against Chris Dobey and during his post match interview he spoke about his excitement for the match.
Take a look:
Scott Williams says sorry for ‘World War and World Cup’ comments
Scott Williams has apologised for his “genuinely stupid” comments during an on-stage interview at the World Championship on Wednesday.
Williams courted controversy after joking about England winning “two World Wars and one World Cup” following his third-round win over German Martin Schindler.
He followed that victory up with a 4-1 win over 10th seed Damon Heta on Saturday afternoon to make a first-ever quarter-final at Alexandra Palace.
Scott Williams says sorry for ‘World War and World Cup’ comments
Williams courted controversy for insensitive comments between the rivalry of England and Germany after his third-round victory over Martin Schindler.
World Darts Championship quarter-final draw
Here’s how the quarter-finals are shaping up ahead of tonight’s evening session. Three more players need to book their spots in the last eight but who will get there?
Michael van Gerwen vs Scott Williams
Dave Chisnall vs Luke Humphries or Joe Cullen
Rob Cross vs Chris Dobey
Brendan Dolan or Gary Anderson vs Raymond van Barneveld or Luke Littler
Chizzy and Cross make it through
The No. 11 seed Dave Chisnall secured a solid 4-2 victory over Daryl Gurney to book his place in the quarter-finals as Rob Cross comprehensively demolished Jonny Clayton 4-0 in the last of the afternoon session’s matches.
Cross will take on Chris Dobey in the next round while Chisnall awaits the winner of Luke Humphries or Joe Cullen.
Meet Luke Littler – the 16-year-old darts prodigy lighting up the World Championship
Teenager Luke Littler continued his dream run at the World Darts Championship on debut when he took down Canada’s Matt Campbell in the third round of the tournament on the first day of action after Christmas.
Before the Christmas break, 16-year-old Littler was the toast of Alexandra Palace after beating Christian Kist in the first round before taking his next step by defeating Andrew Gilding 24 hours later to reach the last 32.
Gilding, who is the reigning UK Open champion, was seeded 20th and is 37 years older than Littler, went down 3-1 as the teen prodigy showed the greater composure in the first two sets, with Gilding twice missing a pair of darts at double in the second.
Meet Luke Littler – the 16-year-old darts prodigy lighting up the World Championship
Littler has had Alexandra Palace rocking with three impressive wins to advance to the last 16
Tonight’s schedule of play
Saturday December 30
Evening Session (7:30pm)
Brendan Dolan vs Gary Anderson (last 16)
Raymond van Barneveld vs Luke Littler (last 16)
Luke Humphries vs Joe Cullen (last 16)
Barney on playing Littler
Raymond van Barneveld is very excited to be facing darts’ latest star boy Luke Littler. After defeating Jim Williams yesterday afternoon the five-time world champion said: “I will love to play Luke Littler,
“When I was 16 I was playing with Lego and Playmobile, we didn’t have the internet or whatever.
“This guy is amazing, and I am looking forward so much to that game. He is a quality player and I can’t wait to meet him tomorrow night.”
Gary Anderson lays into journalists overhyping Luke Littler – ‘You boys have ruined that’
Gary Anderson has warned against putting excessive pressure on 16-year-old Luke Littler ahead of his clash against Raymond van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship.
Littler, the world youth champion, is the youngest player to reach the last 16 and was born 21 days after Van Barneveld won the most recent of his five world titles in 2007.
The pair will face off at Alexandra Palace on Saturday, and two-time world champion Anderson heavily criticised the amount of attention Littler is receiving from the press at such a young age.
Gary Anderson lays into press coverage of Luke Littler – ‘You boys have ruined that’
The 16-year-old Littler has been the centre of attention during his impressive run at the World Darts Championship
Littler on facing Van Barneveld
Luke Littler spoke about what it would be like to face one of his childhood heroes, Raymond van Barneveld, in the World Championship last-16.
Before Barney’s victory over Jim Williams yesterday, Littler said: “I’ve got nothing to lose for myself, I’ve over-achieved again. Now I can just settle. My game is there [to win it] but I can settle even more, Jim or Raymond next, I’m just happy.
“If Raymond does beat Jim it would be unbelievable to play him and then win or lose against either of them I’m still happy to come out of the Worlds at the last 16, but I would love to go a few more games in.”
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