World Darts Championship: Luke Littler sets up final showdown with Michael van Gerwen after superb game against Stephen Bunting | News about darts
Luke Littler demolished Stephen 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 world final in as many years and, after losing in the big dance against Luke Humphries in 2024, he has the chance to take one last step at world title glory in 2025.
His stats were incredible in his semi-final appearance, averaging 105.48 with 13 180s and a 44 percent doubles success rate.
In the first 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.
Littler, 17, will face Dutchman Van Gerwen, 35, on Friday night, live Sky Sports’ main event and Sky Sports Darts from 7:30 p.m.
The two have faced each other 12 times in their career, with six wins each.
“If we both show up like we did tonight, it’ll be really good (finally),” Littler said Sky Sports after his victory.
“As soon as Luke Humphries came out, that’s what everyone was looking at, but I had to focus on the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Now I’ve done that, I can focus on Michael tomorrow.
“We all know he’s chasing his fourth world title. I’m chasing my first.
“Same as last night, go home, relax and come back tomorrow.”
Littler shows class and books the World Cup final
After reaching the final of the World Cup in 2024 on his debut, Littler is only the seventh player in history to reach back-to-back finals,
The opening set was a tight battle between the pair which Littler came out on top with a clinical double, but with both averaging over 100 it was clear that it was going to be a high scoring contest.
As the oldest player remaining in the competition faced off against the youngest, the 39-year-old Bunting doubled his lead and that allowed Littler to jump to secure a 3-0 lead, 158 checkouts and a 105.75 set average that came in handy on his way.
Bunting showed determination and real character to claw back the set and take the match to 4-1, but after missing the set darts to go 4-2 up, Littler came to the fore and took a quick 84 to take the set.
The 17-year-old then pulled away from the final in incredible fashion as he reeled in Big Fish, before ‘The Nuke’ sank to the top and once again wrote his name into the history books.
MVG cruises past Dobey to book the last spot
Van Gerwen took to the Ally Pally stage for his zone semi-final and led 1-0 on the toss before stealing the second set in the decider, Dobey missing three darts in the pair to level the game.
Although he got off to a rough start, Dobey then lived up to his ‘Hollywood’ moniker, bagging a big fish and 108 checkouts to close out the fourth set and get back into contention.
Dobey’s dominant set of brilliance was a short-lived moment to lead the match, although Van Gerwen responded with a white set of his own and with a stunning average of 107, he quickly took a 3-1 lead, three of the next four legs then going his way to give him a four-point lead. set.
The ‘Green Machine’ was just too much of a force for Dobey to overcome and with a 158 checkout en route to ending the sixth set, then a break off roll in the seventh, he pinned D16 and booked his place back on the biggest stage of all.
“You always have ups and downs, but today I had the right mentality. Even when things didn’t go my way, I produced good things at the right moments,” said Van Gerwen Sky Sports.
“Winning on this stage, especially in the semi-finals, means a lot to me. My family is watching and that means a lot.
“We are still so far away. I still have to fight. Tomorrow is a new 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 it to stay 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 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 major darts live in 2025 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’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sports with NOW.
