LUKE LITTLER ADVANCED to the semi-finals of the World Darts Championship for a second year running as he cruised past Nathan Aspinall 5-2 in their last-eight clash.
The 17-year-old made 15 maximums, taking his tally for the tournament past the half-century mark, and capitalised on Aspinall’s inability to finish his own opportunities as he made it look relatively comfortable.
Aspinall extended the contest by getting it back to 4-2 but Littler closed it out as he looks to cap an outstanding first year on the PDC Tour – in which he was won 10 titles – with his first world crown.
“I think we both played very well there,” Littler said on Sky Sports. “I’m so glad to win. The crowd were chanting for Nathan, they wanted the comeback, but I had to finish it…
“The Ryan Meikle game (in the second round) was very tough but ever since it has felt like last year. I’m just playing with absolute confidence.
“When they’re going in I’m playing with freedom, but now I’m looking on to the semi-finals.”
Littler will face Stephen Bunting, who saw off Peter Wright 5-2 earlier in the evening to reach the semi-finals for the first time in four years.
Bunting stormed into a 4-0 lead against a struggling Wright, and although the Scot rallied by pulling two sets back, he had left himself too much to do.
“In the back room, I felt real nervous, on edge,” Bunting said. “Peter Wright is a fan favourite and he is my son’s favourite player.
“I felt sorry for my son but I knew the crowd was going to turn pivotal in the middle of the game. And listen (to the crowd) in the first four sets you were unreal but you have got to do better.”
Michael Van Gerwen will face Chris Dobey in the other semi-final after overcoming Callan Rydz and Gerwyn Price respectively.
2025 World Darts Championship semi-finals
Thursday 2 January, Alexandra Palace
- Chris Dobey v Michael Van Gerwen
- Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting
Can see mvg and littler winning relatively easily tomorrow to set up a bumper final.
@Brian Dunne: Bunting and littler performing the best so far. Littler to scrap a win tomorrow and win the final
@Alex Symes: MVG will beat Littler in final, I think, if both get there.
@Brian Dunne: littler won’t win easily. Bunting is brilliant on the doubles. Littler will have to up his game another notch. It would be some story if he could win the tournament
What an athlete
@Joe Beirne: I’d like to see you count down from 501 in your own head in numerous multiples while throwing a small piece of metal at a tiny target while under immense pressure…. you absolute good for nothing toolbox. Them lads are seriously talented and mathematically gifted
@Joe Beirne: you don’t have to be athletically built for all sports ya gimp
@robert kelly: it’s not maths you tool, they know what they have to hit and all combinations. I suppose their physique matches what it is, a pub game.
@Joe Beirne: They have to count down and adjust their score accordingly in a split second during every throw. If subtraction at speed is not maths I worry for you. I get you don’t rate it as a sport but there’s no need to be derogatory towards the players. As I said I’d like to see you at it probably couldn’t hit the board. Barstool is all your good for
@robert kelly: I don’t drink, unlike your hero’s. Remind me next time when I need someone to subtract numbers from 501 that I get one of these geniuses on speed dial, they are wasted at the darts they should be used instead of AI to make those split second calculations.
@Joe Beirne: Give over will ya
What is it with the Irish media and refusing to write “English” or “England” at any cost??? I followed a text commentary that was live on independent.ie. The Irish reporter told us multiple times that MVG was Dutch, Price was Welsh and Wright was Scottish. Yet he, multiple times, told us the other players were scousers, Geordies, etc. He couldn’t write English” or “England” once in hundreds of posts.
I see that 3 of the 4 semi-finalists are English, not that any Irish media will state that. They all love having a go when they fail at something, example soccer WC or Euros, but cannot give any credit when they do well. Quite disgusting.
Littler is a freak he is so good, hard to see him been stopped unless MVG plays really well.
@Joseph Fitzgibbon: seriously?
@Joseph Fitzgibbon: nonsense, but more importantly, I’m from Cork!
@David Gaffney: What’s nonsense about it. It is so blatant. Ignore it if you want.
@Michael Kennedy: Of course I’m serious! You telling me the Irish are not extremely anti English? And the ironic part is most Irish follow English soccer teams!!
@Joseph Fitzgibbon: well apparently amazingly,and laughable some scousers claim they aren’t infact English.
@Joseph Fitzgibbon: its usually because the tournament is based in england. Same goes for when the PGA golf is on.. the media don’t usually mention the american aspect of home based players. Not that big a deal.
@Joseph Fitzgibbon: Quite disgusting?! Take a day off.
@Barry Lehane: Not sure that introducing MVG as being from Boxtel would be that helpful anyway. I’m fairly good at geography but that’s a new one on me!
It’s only Irish winning sports people are British…
Balls of steel…
@Ben F: tungsten