World Darts Championship 2026 Results: Littler vs. Van Veen Final
- January 3, 2026 - In a stunning upset, Dirk van Veen defeated Gary anderson to secure his place in teh World Championship final, marking a breakthrough moment for...
- The match saw several momentum shifts, with Anderson initially appearing to be in control despite Van Veen's strong performance.
- Van Veen ultimately won the leg and averaged 111.46, while Anderson was left perplexed by his inability to capitalize on averaging 117.44 in the set he lost.
van Veen Stuns Anderson too Reach World Championship Final
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January 3, 2026 – In a stunning upset, Dirk van Veen defeated Gary anderson to secure his place in teh World Championship final, marking a breakthrough moment for the previously unheralded player.
Dramatic Turnaround Secures Van Veen’s Victory
The match saw several momentum shifts, with Anderson initially appearing to be in control despite Van Veen’s strong performance. After Anderson took a 3-2 lead,Van Veen responded with a remarkable 170 checkout,leveling the match at 3-3 adn forcing a deciding leg.
Van Veen ultimately won the leg and averaged 111.46, while Anderson was left perplexed by his inability to capitalize on averaging 117.44 in the set he lost. The 55-year-old anderson demonstrated resilience, winning the subsequent two sets to lead 4-3, putting pressure on his younger opponent, who had previously missed four darts to extend his lead to 5-2.
Despite signs of fatigue from both players, Van Veen maintained his composure, taking a 5-3 lead and then closing out the match with a decisive 13-darter. This victory propels him into the final, a feat he previously considered beyond his reach.
Van Veen’s Emotional Reaction
“To be in the World Championship final is not even a dream coming true becuase I wasn’t able to dream about this,” van Veen told Sky Sports immediately after the match.”Now its happened and I’m so happy.” This statement underscores the magnitude of his achievement, especially considering he had never won a match at the World Championship prior to this event.
Key Match Statistics
- Dirk van Veen Average: 111.46 (in the deciding leg)
- Gary Anderson Average: 117.44 (in the set he lost)
- Checkout: Van Veen - 170
- Final Score: Van Veen defeated Anderson to reach the final.
