The generational clash at the World Cup of Darts has turned into one-way traffic. Luke Littler, aged just 16, has progressed to the quarter-finals after another impressive performance. The result was five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld. The Dutchman lost 4-1.
Raymond van Barneveld's heyday has been behind him for some time, but the Dutchman was in the fourth round of a World Cup for the first time in six years and didn't want to go home just yet.
Van Barneveld showed a lot of respect in advance for Luke Littler, this World Cup star on his debut at the age of 16. When Van Barneveld won his last world title in 2007, Littler had not yet been born.
However, the teenager has no regard for honor rolls or the past and was also unstoppable against his (former) idol tonight. Van Barneveld had no answer and his back was already against the wall at 3-0.
There was a brief period of Dutch Renaissance, but that nipped the very consistent and uncomplicated Littler in the bud. There was no pressure.
4-1 were clear numbers, and Ally Paley was happy it happened – an average of 105.01.
Brendan Dolan now waits in the quarter-finals of this darts fairy tale. The humbled Littler was left speechless afterward. “What did Barney say to me at the end? That's me.” All the way He can go. I hope so. This is unbelievable,” he muttered.
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