UPDATE
The key moments of the 2024 Global Darts Tournament
In the thrilling climax, Luke Humphries clinched a 7-4 victory over Luke Littler, earning himself the title of the new Darts World Champion. The 28-year-old has been dominating the Darts World Ranking (PDC Order of Merit) since reaching the final.
Initially, Luke Littler held a 4-2 lead, narrowly missed out on deciding the seventh set. This mistake proved costly as Luke Humphries went on to win five consecutive sets, setting himself up for the title.
The Darts World Championship (PDC World Darts Championship) 2024 is still underway. Since December 15, the world's best players have been battling it out to secure the World Championship title. Before the epic finale, it's worth revisiting some of the tournament's major highlights.
Luke Littler - The Young Phenom
A standout performer in this year's Darts World Championship is none other than 16-year-old Luke Littler. The Englishman has been putting in stellar performances and will now face the favourite, Luke Humphries, 28, in the final [Link in English].
"I can't believe it. I've been playing well all year, but to bring this form to the biggest stage of all is incredible. Winning this title would be a dream come true. I set a goal for myself to win at least one game and come back after Christmas, and it looks like I'm achieving it!!" – Luke Littler, Finalist, PDC
Littler, the current PDC Youth World Champion, has faced some seasoned opponents in recent weeks, defeating the five-time champion Raymond van Barneveld, 56 [Link in English], and battling past Brendan Dolan, 50, and Rob Cross, 33, to secure his spot in the final.*
MVG's Quarterfinals Heartbreak
Three-time world champion and one of the greatest darts players in history, Michael van Gerwen, 34, had high expectations for this year's Darts World Championship. With odds of 3.50, he was among the top contenders.
Despite a promising start, the Dutchman's World Championship campaign ended in the quarterfinals. He was defeated 3-5 by Scott Williams, 33, leaving fans and pundits alike stunned.*
Rob Cross' Remarkable Comeback
The first quarterfinal match between Rob Cross and Chris Dobey, 33, was one of the biggest upsets in this year's tournament. Dobey held a commanding 4-0 lead, needing just one more set to clinch the victory.
"I wasn't playing well, missed a few chances, didn't feel like myself at the start, but I thought, 'Keep going, we'll win'" – Rob Cross, Darts Player, Daily Mail
Yet one of the most incredible comebacks in Darts World Championship history unfolded: Cross looked unstoppable after the break, winning the fifth set with 14, 13, and 14 darts. Cross's resurgence saw him outplay a shaky Dobey, who struggled to find his doubles.
The once ordinary match turned into an intense thriller, captivating audiences every step of the way. Cross ultimately secured the victory in the final leg with a 10-dart extension, capping off an amazing performance in the eighth leg.*
Who is Luke Littler?
Born on January 21, 2007, in Runcorn, England, Luke Littler discovered his darts talent at a young age. He went on to win the England Youth Grand Prix and the Isle of Man Master Youth Competition in 2019. In 2021, he secured the junior title at the England Open and finished second at the British Pentathlon.
His victory in the Rileys Amateur Qualifier for the UK Open 2023 on his 16th birthday allowed him to qualify for his first PDC tournament. By making it to the Darts World Championship through the Development Tour Order of Merit, Littler, known as "The Nuke," became not only the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals but also achieved the highest average in a first-round match, boasting a score of 106.12.*
The Struggle for German Players
The German enthusiasm for the Darts World Championship continues to grow year-on-year, with evidence shown by the presence of German fans at the Alexandra Palace, or "Ally Pally."
This year's Darts World Championship has, however, been challenging for the German players. Despite five representatives - Gabriel Clemens, 40, Martin Schindler, 27, Ricardo Pietreczko, 29, Florian Hempel, 33, and Dragutin Horvat, 47 - only Horvat managed to advance to the first round. Meanwhile, the remaining four German players were eliminated in the third round.*
Luke vs. Luke: Who Takes the Title?
The grand finale of the Darts World Championship 2024 is set for January 3. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler will face off in a "Best of 11 Sets" match, with a £500,000 prize at stake (€577,060). This will be the first title for both players.*
Humphries and Little had a previous encounter, four years back, during a casual event at a local pub. At that time, Little was just 12 years old and was thrilled to snap a picture with Humphries.
Fast forward to tonight, 9:00 PM in German time, or 8:00 PM locally, these two competitors will square off for their initial professional encounter, competing for the global championship. Luke Humphries enters the battle as the favored contender, holding odds of 1.72, while Luke Little's chances are valued at 2.10.
In preparation for the titanic clash, both Luke Humphries and Luke Littler have been honing their skills in the world of online casinos, potentially looking to gain an edge through improved focus and strategy. The online casinos Germany has to offer have become a popular pastime for many professional darts players, including Humphries and Littler.
As the date of the highly-anticipated final approaches, German fans eagerly await news about their representatives in the Darts World Championship 2024, hoping for a breakout performance from their local players in the following tournament.
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