Littler and Van Veen Set for PDC World Championship Final Showdown

Luke Littler has advanced to his third consecutive PDC World Championship final, defeating Ryan Searle 6-1 in a commanding semi-final performance. The 18-year-old world champion will face Dutch player Gian van Veen, who eliminated two-time champion Gary Anderson with a 6-3 victory. The final, taking place on March 15, 2024, at Alexandra Palace, promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.

Littler’s journey to the final has been remarkable. After initially falling behind in the match against Searle, he showcased exceptional skill, averaging 105.35 overall. His win further extends his unbeaten record in major ranking tournament semi-finals to 11 matches. Littler is now poised to become only the fourth player to win PDC world titles in successive years, a feat last accomplished by Anderson in 2015 and 2016.

“I’m very happy with tonight— the doubles, the finishing, the high-scoring,” Littler told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It could have been a bit better but I’m happy to make it three consecutive finals at the World Championship.”

Searle started strong in the semi-final, taking the opening set despite Littler’s impressive 10-dart finish and 105 average. However, Littler’s relentless scoring soon overwhelmed Searle. A pivotal moment arose in the third set when Searle struggled with his first three darts, allowing Littler to seize control of the match. Littler maintained his momentum, hitting ten 180s and achieving a checkout percentage of 58.8%, making it impossible for Searle to recover.

In contrast, van Veen faced a more challenging semi-final against Anderson. The match was characterized by fierce competition, with both players averaging close to 103. Anderson opened with a strong performance, but van Veen quickly matched his intensity, hitting a stunning 117 checkout and averaging 113.35 to level the match.

The contest escalated, particularly in the fifth set, where both players executed remarkable plays. Van Veen’s ability to respond to Anderson’s high-scoring legs demonstrated his resilience. Despite struggling to maintain his lead, van Veen ultimately triumphed with a final average of 111.46.

“To be in the World Championship final is not even a dream coming true because I wasn’t able to dream about this,” van Veen stated in an interview with Sky Sports. “Now it’s happened and I’m so happy.”

As the final approaches, the excitement builds for what promises to be an exhilarating matchup between Littler and van Veen. The final will be contested in a best-of-13 legs format, commencing at 20:00 GMT. With both players demonstrating exceptional skill and determination, darts enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate this showdown.