That’s the end of our live coverage of a cracking World Championship. The final wasn’t the all-time classic we craved, but it was still a unique and unforgettable game. The whole tournament was loads of fun, and I’m pleased to announce we’ll be liveblogging every single game next year, including the first round.
I appear to have gone rogue there. It’s been such a pleasure covering more games than usual, even if it’s not great for the old systolic readings. Thanks ever so much for your company and emails throughout the 2024 World Darts Championship. Two young men called Luke ensured it was one for the books. Goodnight!
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The final in numbers
Average Littler 101.13, Humphries 103.67
180s Littler 13, Humphries 23
Checkout % Littler 36.51, Humphries 43.1
Highest checkout Littler 170, Humphries 170
Legs won Littler 23, Humphries 25
In the end it came down to timing, as it always does. The double two to go 5-2 up – and the rogue treble 18 that preceded it – with gnaw at Littler for at least 12 months. Eventually it will become a prologue, and he’ll reflect on his every single moment of his debut world championship with a smile.
Luke Humphries may never smile about all those dark moments he experienced on stage – but he knows they’re at the front of the book now, not the back. All that anxiety and fear was an essential part of a coming-of-age story that has just been given the perfect ending.
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Match report: Luke Littler 4-7 Luke Humphries
Jonathan Liew was at Ally Pally to watch Luke Humphries prove beyond doubt that he is the greatest player in the world. For now.
Jessica Murray was at St Helens Darts Academy, where Luke Littler began his career, to watch the final with friends and fans.
“Luke Littler needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror after that, Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “And then congratulate himself on being one of the most insanely talented, remarkable and inspirational young sports stars of this or any other year. Well played, sir. Luke Humphries a deserved winner. And best of luck to them both.”
Amen.
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More from Luke Humphries, the world champion
This is a moment I’ll never forget. I don’t want to say I’ve completed darts but I’ve done everything that was on the resume. Now it’s about motivating yourself to do more: I want to be double world champion and win loads of majors.
I just wanna say – and I’m not saying this because it will please everyone – Luke has been an unbelievable talent. Not just on the dartboard; he has been fantastic with all the media and he took defeat so well there. You will never see another down-to-earth 16-year-old kid like him. He’s something else.
I really hope he’s in the Premier League. If he doesn’t want to play in it, fair enough, but I think he’d be a pleasure to play alongside. He’s one of the best players in the world, there’s no doubt about that.
[How much are you looking forward to the Premier League?] Am I in it?! I might be in I now. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got to give credit to the PDC – they left me out this year and they made the right decision. It allowed me to go out and prove them all wrong by winning lots of titles. I’m really proud of the way I’ve come back from that. The world’s my oyster now. I can win as much as I want but I’ll never dominate [like Phil Taylor] – there are too many good players.
No1 is fantastic but being world champion stays with you forever. I’ll always be announced as the reigning or former world champion now. I’m standing here not quite sure how to react because I can’t believe what’s just happened.
Luke Humphries' 103.67 average is the highest ever recorded in a match of 45+ legs.
— Christopher Kempf (@ochepedia) January 3, 2024
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“When Littler missed that dart for 5-2,” says Gregory Phillips, “I immediately thought of when Van Gerwen did the same thing in the 2013 final and didn’t win another set. But in the long term, this might be a good thing for Littler. Too much too young and all that.”
Yeah, I thought the same. Though actually it felt like MvG dropped off more then than Littler did tonight, although I suppose he was playing the grim reaper of darts. Definite similiarities though, including the pulsating darts they played to get to the final. And while that wasn’t Van Gerwen’s debut, it was the first time Van Gerwen 2.0 turned up at Ally Pally.
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Luke Littler speaks
It’s been unbelievable. The one negative was losing too many legs with my own throw, then Luke would hold and I’d be 2-0 down. That’s the only negative. I couldn’t hold my own throw and I didn’t win.
[What have you learned in the past three weeks?] I don’t know. Every game’s been good, just that one really annoyed me – especially the three missed darts to keep it going. That’s what the crowd wanted. But fair play to Luke, he deserved it.
I’d rather be in the top 32 than play the Development Tour next year! People would see me turn up and say, “He doesn’t need to develop!”
I’m happy: top 32, runner-up on my debut. It’s unbelievable.
[What are you ambitions for the worlds next year?] Win a game and see what happens after! I might not get go a final for another 5-10 years, we don’t know, but I can say I’m a runner-up. Now I wanna go and win it.
More from Luke Humphries
[On his struggles with anxiety] It makes it more incredible for myself mentally because there was a time in my life when I was really depressed and I didn’t this would be it for me. I couldn’t do it on the big stage and went through a lot of problems. To go on to become world champion and world No1 has proved a lot about my mental ability.
My family, who I’d love to thank – my mum and dad, who have taken me everywhere for this moment. I’ve got my amazing girlfriend Kayley’s daughter Grace here and obviously I’ve got my son. These are the people who make you who you are. Without them, I wouldn’t have this trophy right now.
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Luke Humphries speaks
I honestly can’t put into words how great this feels. All day, in the back of my mind, I’ve been thinking, ‘Get this won now because he’s gonna dominate world darts soon!’ He’s an incredible player, he’s relentless. I was really proud of that performance; I felt a bit tired inbetween.
He’s an incredible talent and I had to win this tonight. He’s gonna win plenty I’m sure. [On set seven] That felt like a massive turning point. I was 4-2 behind, is that right? He missed one dart [to go 5-2 up]; I think he got an unlucky deflection into treble 18. If it’s 5-2 it becomes a really uphill task.
I can’t lie to you, on that last double eight my hand was shaking like mad. It just fell in for me, it was very fortunate. I’m world champion and world No1: I can’t ask for more. I really can’t.
THE TENSION IN THAT FINISH! 😰
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
Luke Humphries lets it all out after winning the world title! 👑 pic.twitter.com/1BJYDFCBH6
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Humphries is still wiping away a few tears as he walks up to collect the Sid Waddell Trophy. It’s a heavy beast, but he could probably lift Andre the Giant right now.
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Littler 4-7 Humphries (legs 2-3)
When Humphries got to his feet, Littler applaued warmly and then pulled him in for a big hug. He’s taking defeat like a champion at the age of 16. Right now, and I say this with love for both, Littler looks more grown-up than Humphries.
Humphries came from 4-2 down to win five sets in a row, a stunning feat of ability and mental strength when he was being pummelled by a dart-throwing creature from another planet. All that palpitations, all that fear, all those sacrifices… they’re gone now.
Luke Littler will forever be associated with this competition, even when he wins 15 world titles in the next 30 years, but it belongs to the greatest darts player in the world right now: Luke Humphries.
Set averages Littler 95.00, Humphries 99.33
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It was such a dramatic last leg. Littler hit 139 to leave 28, then Humphries was too good for his own good. Needing 125, he started with two bulls. But Littler missed three darts – one at D14 and two at D7. Humphries returned, ignored some pathetic, disgusting boos and hit D8 at the second attempt.
Luke Humphries is the world champion!
He falls to his knees and dissolves in tears!
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Humphries leaves 125 after nine. Littler is on 167 with the darts…
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Littler 4-6 Humphries (legs 2-2) Littler pulls a funny face while hitting 180 to leave 100 on the Humphries throw. Humphries is on 76 – and he takes it on tops despite some boos.
Littler is throwing to stay in the world championship.
Littler 4-6 Humphries (legs 2-1) Littler leaves 46 after nine, then misses two at double. He’s missing too many now. Humphries leaves 38 from 170 for what would be adevastating break of throw. Pressure, pressure, pressure.
Nope. Littler hits D16 first dart. Sixteen this, sixteen that. This kid is astonishing.
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Littler 4-6 Humphries (legs 1-1) Humphries holds in the time it takes me to reply to an email.
“Wayne Mardle correctly called both players hitting a 170 out in the Sky intro,” says Martin Hughes. “It might just be this cracking final going to my head but I genuinely think Hawaii 501’s now established as one of the finest commentators in any sport.”
Oh I think he’s wonderful, and I’m afraid that cheap observation is all I’ve got right now. Thankfully Daniel Harris nailed it a few years ago.
Littler 4-6 Humphries (legs 1-0) Humphries is on 146 when Littler misses two at tops. All he can do is set up, though, and Littler gives his bestie D10 a big hug. He just needs to hold in this set and see where it takes him.
“I have to be up at silly o’clock to get an early train to a relatively important early meeting,” says Adam Griffiths. “Am I going to bed early and missing this dartsarama? Am I buttons.”
“You mentioned mental strength earlier; these two have both shown knackers of absolute steel,” says Gregory Phillips. “It’s a tragedy either of them has to lose.”
What’s that you say, Tungsten tes- oh never mind.
Humphries left 36 after nine on throw. Littler barrelled in the 32nd 180 of the match to apply the requisite pressure, and Humphries missed his first two at D18. Then he stopped, took a breath and found the target. He has been phenomenal.
The players walk off for the last break of the match. Littler has the darts in set 11; he has to hold or it’s over. Except it’s not over: win or lose, his debut world championship campaign will last forever.
Set averages Littler 108.88, Humphries 98.42
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Humphries wins the tenth set!
Littler 4-6 Humphries (legs 1-3) I don’t know Humphries’ exact average since he went 4-2, but this spell of four consecutive sets is almost up there with Michael van Gerwen going berserk against Barney in the 2017 semi-final. And Humphries was under significantly more pressure.
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Littler 4-5 Humphries (legs 1-2) My days! Both miss a dart at the bull, Littler for a break. Most of the boos have stopped, glad to say, and Humphries hits 25 on D8. He’s now a leg away from being a set away.
Littler takes out 170!
Littler 4-5 Humphries (legs 1-1) Haha, of course he takes out 170: that’s what showmen and geniuses do, and Littler is both.
Both men have now taken out the big fish in this game, and Littler roars with delight as he walks to collect his darts. What a game!
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Littler 4-5 Humphries (legs 0-1) I’m sorry, I cannot keep up with this. Littler misses one dart for a three-figure out, and another break, and Humphries does the needful. Don’t ask me which double or how many darts, it’s too late for that.
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Humphries wins the ninth set against the darts!
Littler 4-5 Humphries (legs 2-3) Just amazing resilience from Humphries, who breaks in 11 darts with the clowns booing him again. He left 41 after nine and almost didn’t get a look. Littler had left 170 for the umpteenth time; he hit the first treble and would have got the second but for a deflection off the first dart.
When Humphries took out the double, Littler pointedly applauded and then Russ Bray asked the audience to show a bit of effing respect for a thoroughly decent young man in the biggest game of his life.
Set averages Littler 104.78, Humphries 109.10
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Littler breaks back!
Littler 4-4 Humphries (legs 2-2) The clowns in the crowd have started booing Humphries when he’s throwing at double. He misses three, going round the board, and Littler gives the clowns what they want on D10. That’s yet another break of throw and Littler, who was 2-0 down, is throwing for the set.
Littler 4-4 Humphries (legs 1-2) Littler holds, just about, though Humphries almost hit his second T20 when going for 156. Littler, who had already missed D6, missed two more at D3 and then somehow – despite two blockers – forced the last dart in.
As the pressure rises, so is the standard.
Humphries holds magnificently!
Littler 4-4 Humphries (legs 0-2) Oh for the love of goodness. Littler hits 165 to leave tops after 12 to break – and Humphries leaves him standing there, wondering what the hell, by taking out 108 on D16.
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Humphries breaks!
Littler 4-4 Humphries (legs 0-1) In 2013, an emerging genius called Michael van Gerwen, playing in his first world final, missed a dart to go 5-2 up against Phil Taylor and eventually lost 7-4. As Barney wrote in these pages, it was a victory for experience.
Humphries isn’t Phil Taylor, but he is more experienced and maybe that is starting to tell. Maybe. Littler misses one at tops for a hold; Humphries hits him where it hurts, in this case double 16.
The players are back on stage. It’s a best-of-five game now.
Humphries has averaged in excess of 113 in the last two sets, with Littler dropping to 103 and then 97. I honestly think any other player in the world would have cracked in that seventh set because Littler was hitting him with everything: maximums, savage finishes, the lot.
Humphries breaks again to win the eighth set!
Littler 4-4 Humphries (legs 1-3) This time Humphries does hit the bull for a match-levelling 121. Littler was waiting on 120 to take us to a deciding leg but he didn’t get a look, never mind a poke.
Let’s save the deciding leg for the 13th set, eh lads.
Set averages Littler 96.84, Humphries 114.17
121 OUT AND BACK LEVEL! 💥
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
This is going all the way isn't it?! 😅 pic.twitter.com/APDssP28yJ
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Littler breaks back!
Littler 4-3 Humphries (legs 1-2) Littler misses bull for a break, but Humphries makes a mess of 74 and gets only one dart at bull. He doesn’t get it and Littler cleans up. That’s 18 breaks in 33 legs; preposterous.
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Humphries breaks!
Littler 4-3 Humphries (legs 0-2) Humphries, who is throwing beautifully now, breaks in 11 darts with Littler nowhere. He needed all of his resilience to stay in the game; now he’s a leg away from being level.
That was the 17th break in 32 legs. The two best players in the world aren’t even safe on their own throw, such is the quality of their opponent.
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Littler 4-3 Humphries (legs 0-1) A relatively calm 14-dart hold for Humphries, during which he hits the 902nd 180 of the tournament – that’s a new record.
Littler misses D2 to go within two sets of glory, having accidentally hit two T18s on when 112. Humphries, who had been behind for most of the leg until he belted another 180, took out D14 for a 13-darter.
Humphries showed remarkable mental strength to win that set. Had he not done, so I think he’d have lost 7-2 because Littler is hitting him with everything. Instead, the match is back on throw. Not that that’s much of an advantage in this momentous game: only one of the seven sets has been won by the player throwing first.
Set averages Littler 103.48, Humphries 113.22
Littler pauses... Humphries pounces...
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
THAT SET WAS INSANE! 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/uDuCw2Y9Fv
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Humphries wins the seventh set!
Littler 4-3 Humphries (legs 2-3) This is about as good as it gets.
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Littler breaks back again!
Littler 4-2 Humphries (legs 2-2) With Humphries waiting on 48 for the set, Littler nails 122 in the blink of an eye: D18-D18-T7. That is disgusting. Disgusting. Utterly unacceptable in polite society.
Humphries breaks again!
Littler 4-2 Humphries (legs 1-2) This is the best set of the match to date. After more punishing scoring, Humphries misses the big number to set up tops from 71. Littler almost takes out 94 on the bull despite a blocker – but it goes just above the wire and Humphries returns to go out in 13 darts.
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Littler breaks back!
Littler 4-2 Humphries (legs 1-1) Amazing! Humphries has a chance for a 10-darter, but he misses three at double and Littler is waiting to pounce. He needs 84 and starts with a single 5. Before you can say ‘Oh flip man’, he hits T13 and tops to steal the leg.
Finishes like that can break an opponent, even the world No1.
Humphries breaks with a 170!
Littler 4-2 Humphries (legs 0-1) That’s his A-game. My word, I can’t keep up with this. Littler was on a two-dart finish, nodded as the last dart forced its way into the bullseye. Game, meet game.
Littler wins the sixth set!
Littler 4-2 Humphries (legs 3-0) A cruel and untimely bounce-out for Humphries, who knocks out a T20 and loses another dart in the process. Littler takes advantage to sweep the set against the darts. Both players missed darts at double; Littler had the last dart, and the last word.
Humphries is in big trouble here. He’s won only two of the last 11 legs.
Set averages Littler 104.86, Humphries 93.57
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Littler 3-2 Humphries (legs 2-0) Humphries throws six perfect darts and still loses the leg! Littler missed bull for a 170, Humphries missed D18 for a 76 – having not been sure which one to go for – and Littler punished him again. He is rampant. He is 16 years old.
Littler breaks again!
Littler 3-2 Humphries (legs 1-0) I’m sorry, this is disgusting. Littler is all over the world No1 and could well be starting to break Humphries’ will. He leaves D8 after nine, misses three and still has time to return for a 13-darter. Humphries needs his A-game, fast.
Littler takes the fifth set!
Littler 3-2 Humphries (legs 3-1) Littler breaks emphatically to ensure there’s no last-leg decider! Humphries had a poor leg on his own throw, including one awful attempt at T18 that ended up in single 4. Littler punished him with a 180 to leave 51, which he pop-popped on D16 for an 11-dart break.
Right now, and with the caveat that there are multiple moodswings in most darts matches, he looks the likelier winner. He’s won six of the last eight legs; more importantly, Humphries has started to look ever so slightly rattled.
Set averages Littler 105.48, Humphries 103.88
Luke Littler is VENOMOUS! 🐍
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
Littler 3-2 Humphries pic.twitter.com/A4T3oG9iTc
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Littler 2-2 Humphries (legs 2-1) Littler hasn’t yet been ahead in sets, even though he threw first, but he’s a leg away now. Humphries had two at tops for a potentially set-winning break; Littler had already missed three at D8 but returned to take it out at the fifth attempt. The scruffy legs are sometimes the most important.
Littler 2-2 Humphries (legs 1-1) Now Humphries starts with five perfect darts, including his ninth 180 of the match. This time Littler is miles back and Humphries hits D20 at the second attempt for an even jauntier 12-dart hold.
Littler 2-2 Humphries (legs 1-0) Littler starts set five with his sixth maximum. His focus is fascinating and a little scary; he looks at his chosen target the way Francis Begbie looks at people. With Humphries nowhere, Littler misses D8 for a 130 finish, but he’s soon back at the oche for a jaunty 13-dart hold.
Littler started with four perfect darts. Humphries stayed with him for two visits before being left behind in the scoring. Littler missed two at D15, Humphries couldn’t get a shot from 136 and Littler returned to hit D4 last dart. And he had to, because Humphries was on tops.
Littler celebrated by making his increasingly familiar calm-down gesture before strolling off the break. The standard isn’t yet stratospheric – the match average are 99 for Littler and 101 for Humphries – but it has ebbed and flowed beautifully.
Set averages Littler 96.59, Humphries 93.65
LITTLER DRAWS LEVEL! 2-2! 🤝
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
GAME ON! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Q5u62o0l3G
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Littler wins the fourth set!
Littler 2-2 Humphries (legs 3-1) It’s all square, and all four sets have been won against the throw.
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Littler 1-2 Humphries (legs 2-1) Humphries holds on, just about, by taking out 73 on tops with Littler waiting on 40. But Littlier has the darts to make it 2-2.
Littler 1-2 Humphries (legs 2-0) A scruffy leg, with poor set-ups and one missed dart apiece, is eventually taken by Littler on D20. That was a very rare 19-dart leg.
Littler breaks!
Littler 1-2 Humphries (legs 1-0) This is fantastic stuff. Littler goes out on D10, last dart, with Humphries waiting on a two-darter. We’ve already had eight breaks of throw in 15 legs.
Humphries wins the third set!
Littler 1-2 Humphries (legs 2-3) Just as in the second set, Luke has come from 2-0 down to win the set against the darts! He missed the bull for a 12-darter but returned to take out 25 on D8. A bounce-out didn’t help Littler; even so, Humphries controlled the leg. And, ultimately, the set.
Set averages Littler 100.21, Humphries 101.78
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Littler 1-1 Humphries (legs 2-2) We’re heading for another last-leg decider. Humphries bangs out 116 on D18 for an everyday 12-dart hold. After a modest first set, the standard is approaching the roof.
Humphries breaks back!
Littler 1-1 Humphries (legs 2-1) Now it’s Littler who is bullying Humphries with his scoring – but he misses two darts for the set, one at D20 and one at his beloved D10. Humphries hits D8 last dart in hand for a break. This is already seesawing like a beauty.
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Littler breaks!
Littler 1-1 Humphries (legs 2-0) Humphries has started to drop off, one of those momentum shifts that makes darts so compelling. Now isn’t the best time for a dip, because I can confirm Littler has gone into beast mode: he takes out 217 in four darts to move within a leg of a 2-1 lead. He’s won the last five legs.
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Littler 1-1 Humphries (legs 1-0) Littler might be going into beast mode. He leads for only the second time in the match after hitting D20, last dart in hand, with Humphries waiting on 60.
“Can we officially start the ‘Darts at the Olympics’ campaign tonight, Rob?” says Simon McMahon. “Forget the 100m final, Humphries / Littler v MVG / Barney would be the hottest ticket in town. Maybe throw in some bar billiards or shove ha’penny. Ok, let’s just bring back Indoor League is what I’m saying.”
Those unfamiliar with Indoor League, please read entry No2 here. In fact read all of it, it’s Scott Murray.
Littler wins the second set!
Littler 1-1 Humphries (legs 3-2) An astonishing mini-comeback from Luke Littler! He breaks Humphries in 12 darts, finishing on Shanghai, to win the set against the throw – and having been 2-0 down. He won all three legs in just 37 darts, at a time when Humphries was threatening to get away with him. His mental strength is mind-boggling.
Set averages Littler 109.23, Humphries 111.30. Yep.
STOP THAT, LUKE LITTLER! 🤯🤯
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
📌 142 checkout
📌 120 checkout
He's arrived in this final... pic.twitter.com/KPgTPbWFrb
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Littler takes out 142!
Littler 0-1 Humphries (legs 2-2) Humphries starts with four perfect darts on the Littler throw. Littler is first to a finish, 142, but Humphries leaves 81 after nine.
He doesn’t get a look: Littler pops T20-T20-D11 for a majestic finish! He’s right back in this game.
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Littler breaks back!
Littler 0-1 Humphries (legs 1-2) The muscle memory is kicking in! Littler nicks the darts and then hits 180 to leave 106. Humphries does likewise to leave 107. Both men miss a dart at tops – Humphries’ for the set - before Littler returns to infiltrate D15. That’s a superb response.
Humphries breaks!
Littler 0-1 Humphries (legs 0-2) Littler is having a bad spell. Humphries breaks on D2 after Littler missed the bull for 128 – but Humphries, who is bullying Littler with his scoring, had a dart at D5 before that. He’s won five legs in a row.
Littler 0-1 Humphries (legs 0-1) Humphries has the darts in the second set. He starts with 135, 137 and then 180 to leave 49 after nine. Littler, who is struggling, is back on 259 when Humphries returns to hit D16 for an 11-darter.
Humphries wins the first set against the throw!
Littler 0-1 Humphries (legs 1-3) Despite a first 180 from Littler, to leave 64, Humphries takes out 32 on D8 to clinch the first set. Humphries was always in control of the leg after starting with back-to-back 140s. I think all three legs he won in that set were in 14 darts.
First set averages Littler 89.38, Humphries 99.20
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“Could nerves be more of an issue for Humphries since he’s wanted this for longer and been to the quarters several times, whereas Littler is the age he is and acts like he’s playing with house money?” wonders Gregory Phillips.
Funnily enough my nephew texted me the same thing today. My thought was that it would be an advantage for Littler in the early sets, not so much if it goes to 4-4 and 5-5. But Humphries has started much better, so I’m clearly full of it.
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Humphries breaks!
Littler 0-0 Humphries (legs 1-2) Humphries again misses tops for a 120 - this time for a break of throw. Littler is on Shanghai as well. He hits single 20, which is a blocker, so he goes for bull-bull. Of course he does.
He can’t take it out, though, and Humphries pins D5 for a 14-darter. He’s throwing for the set.
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Littler 0-0 Humphries (legs 1-1) The pace is beautiful, with both naturally fast players. Humphries hits the first 180 of the match to leave 47 after nine darts. He misses two at double but has time to return, with Littler well back, and hits D8 for a 14-dart hold.
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Littler 0-0 Humphries (legs 1-0) A slow start from both players, who are still in the 200s after nine darts. Littler leaves tops after 15 with Humphries on Shanghai.
He sets up a shot at double but drags it low, and Littler returns to clean up with his first dart. “Littler with a settler,” says Wayne Mardell on commentary.
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It’s Luke Littler to throw first… game on!
The walk-ons
Littler looks slightly nervous as he greets his friends and family. Mind you, I thought that last night and he proceeded to wipe the floor with Rob Cross.
There are a few jeers when Humphries’ name is announced, though hopefully it’s just bantermime nonsense. He embraces his friends and a family, a group that includes the world No19 Ryan Searle, and puffs out his cheeks before going up on stage. It’s easy to forget, given the astounding Littler story, that this is also the biggest night of Humphries’ life.
The two players greet each other like old friends, which I suppose they are.
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And now… It’s time for a World Darts Championship final like no other: Luke Littler, 16, v Luke Humphries, No1 in the world.
“Littler reminds me of Ronnie O’Sullivan,” writes Jeff Sax. “Hope he can keep it going for as long as him.”
A 48-year-old darts player? I don’t think so.
Nice people, nice party. It’s perfect.
If you’ve never been to Ally Pally for the darts, this should give you a flavour. And if you fancy pouring half a plastic pint glass down your chest, even better.
“Can he do this?” writes Gary Naylor. “Yeah, but can he do this?”
Littler wins the bull and will throw first
He’s such a strong front-runner so that could be important. Besides, the days of putting your opponent into bat are long gone. I think Phil Taylor was the last to do so against Rob Cross in 2018.
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This is utterly disgusting
The only players to have reached a WC final with a higher tournament average (through the SF) than Luke Littler's 101.82:
— Christopher Kempf (@ochepedia) January 3, 2024
Phil Taylor
Michael van Gerwen
Gary Anderson
“I don’t know if I even qualify as a recent darts fan,” says Joe Pearson. “Darts was completely off my radar until Wayne Mardle’s call of Michael Smith’s nine-darter went viral internationally. ‘I can’t spake!’ And now the compelling story of Luke Littler is crossing over into football MBMs, especially given yesterday’s turgid nil-nil draw in London. So I’m in for the ride, but don’t know if I’ll keep up after this particular story is over. I mean pro-bowling was really popular when I was growing up, and I never became a follower. But who knows?”
I was going to say ‘it’s Mardell, not Mardle’ but that would be a cheap shot. I wouldn’t worry about being a casual fan – we all have a sport like that, right?
Pelé, Comăneci, Tyson… Littler
Introducing… Luke Humphries
(He’s not remotely boring by the way.)
Humphries’ route to the final
Round 1 Bye
Round 2 Lee Evans 3-0
Round 3 Ricardo Pietreczko 4-3 (from 3-1 down)
Last 16 Joe Cullen 4-3 (Cullen missed two match darts)
Quarter-final Dave Chisnall 5-1
Semi-final Scott Williams 6-0
Updated
Littler’s route to the final
Round 1 Christian Kist 3-0
Round 2 Andrew Gilding 3-1 (still the closest he’s come to losing)
Round 3 Matt Campbell 4-1
Last 16 Raymond van Barneveld 4-1
Quarter-final Brendan Dolan 5-1
Semi-final Rob Cross 6-2
Introducing… Luke Littler
This is not a deepfake
Lost out in quarterfinals last night at Hayling Island comp to @lukeh180 missed a few chances to go ahead and a bull for a 164 but gave him a great game 🎯 2 Youth comps today Under 14’s and Under 18’s hopefully make tomorrow’s finals on stage @bucker1980 @lisa_littler pic.twitter.com/hTb4Cj0vuW
— Luke Littler (@LukeTheNuke180) November 9, 2019
Who’s going to tell him that technically Littler should be on the left because he was in the top half of the draw?
Half-and-half scarf ✅ pic.twitter.com/Bw9e58hTDk
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 3, 2024
“Boy howdy is this exciting or what?” writes J. R. in Illinois. “I just hope the Lukes can carry over their form from yesterday. And this is the last time we’ll see Russ Bray on the big stage. Let’s hope he can go out on a high. I’m a little worried about him keeping up with the pace of the game. He’s been struggling a bit lately.”
He has, and I’m sure that’s one of the reasons he’s decided to hang up his lungs. He also has very important work to do on the Asian Tour. Man Lok Leung’s win over Gian van Veen was one of my favourite matches of this year’s competition.
Last night’s action
All together now: wuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunayyyytee
One last dance for Russ Bray tonight as he referees his final ever World Championship final 🎤
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024
The Voice has entertained darts fans for nearly 30 Years! pic.twitter.com/QVtJH6lCEH
Apparently Russ Bray was once an extra EastEnders, supping a pint in the Queen Vic behind a displeased Phil Mitchell. If anyone can find a video of this magical event, please send it in.
“I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a darts match since Taylor-Priestley in ’96,” writes Gregory Phillips. “Maybe Barney and Phil in ’07. If this delivers like those matches did, we are in for a treat.”
The last man to win the worlds on debut was Rob Cross in 2018. But the most famous, at least until 10pm tonight, is probably Keith Deller in 1983. You can read all about his fairytale here.
The combined age of the two players is 44, which makes it easily the youngest final in PDC history. Not sure what the moral of this story is, except that Luke Littler is a multigenerational talent, but it adds another element to tonight’s game.
Well?
Tell us: have you recently become a darts fan? https://t.co/y1NqaIsUpO
— The Guardian (@guardian) January 3, 2024
Preamble
So, whose destiny is it anyway? Luke Littler and Luke Humphries are both meant to become world champion at Alexandra Palace tonight. Alas, societal convention dictates that – at least until this time next year – only one of them can join the pantheon.
Either result will be good for the soul. A win for Littler, [insert age], would conclude the greatest story in darts history, a mindblowing fairytale that seemed impossible until a few days ago. Victory for Humphries, who almost quit the sport six years ago because of an anxiety disorder, would complete a classic and inspirational character arc.
It’s pretty hard to split them. Humphries wins decisively on surname Scrabble points, but everything else is close. Humphries has been the best player in the world for the past few months; Littler has been the best for the last couple of weeks. During the World Championship that have both hit fifty 180s. Littler’s average is slightly higher, 101.82 to Humphries’ 99.33, and he has had a smoother route to the final. But Humphries, who dodged several arrows against Ricardo Pietreczko and Joe Cullen, has looked almost unbeatable in the last two rounds. Almost.
Last night, in the afterglow of Littler’s astonishing dismissal of Rob Cross, Humphries whitewashed Scott Williams with the highest average of the tournament so far: 108.74. In doing so he become the world No1 for the first time in his career.
Everything points to it being a classic. Everything except the past. The variables that make darts uniquely fascinating – rhythm, momentum, doubles – can also lead to an unwelcome anti-climax. The last truly great PDC final was probably Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson nine years ago. Since then there have been at least two finals that looked certain to be epics: Anderson v Michael van Gerwen in 2017 and Van Gerwen v Michael Smith a year ago. Both started brilliantly but were ultimately one-sided.
We need games like that for the true classics to count. What we can say is that if both play as they did last night, it’ll be a rare old barnburner.
The first dart in this best-of-13-sets match should be thrown just after 8.15pm. The force is strong in these two. May the best Luke win.
Come on, we can’t exactly say ‘may the best man win’. He’s 16!
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