Latest news with #Matchplay
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luke Humphries reckons Littler 'isn't normal' and that's why he won't be feeling Premier League defence pressure
The world No.1 ready for huge night at London's O2 tomorrow Calm Luke Humphries reckons "not normal" Luke Littler won't be affected by the pressure of defending his BetMGM Premier League crown as he looks to rip it off his head. Cool Hand can complete a Triple Crown by adding this title to his World Championship and World Matchplay titles. Humphries may need to beat Littler in the Final if he overcomes Nathan Aspinall in the last four and doesn't feel his rival will be feeling any strain about coming back looking to keep his trophy. Asked if Littler may feel a different type of pressure defending a major TV title for the first time, Humphries smiled: 'I think if you're a normal person it is, but for Luke, he's not is he! So I don't think the pressure's going to worry him, to be honest. He's not going to be thinking about, I've got to defend this, the pressure's on me. I think he's played in so many big matches now that I don't think anything's going to bother him. 'It is hard. You don't want to give the trophy away, like the World Championships, I didn't want to give that away. But you learn from those situations and you're just in another day, another game.' Humphries isn't looking beyond his semi-final as he added: 'I'd never overlook any game that I play. Against Nathan, he's a well and truly established pro, so I'm not going to be looking to the final. Luke's got to beat Gezzy at first, and I've got to beat Nathan. It's going to be a tough game for me. Nathan's playing a lot better now, and I definitely wouldn't look past him.' Humphries can join an elite Triple Crown club if he wins the trophy as he said: 'Everybody wants to win those three, whether people believe it's the Triple Crown or not, it doesn't really bother me. But I think, in my mind, they're the three biggest tournaments to win because, obviously, the Worlds is the most prestigious. "And then the Matchplay has been at the Winter Gardens for so long, that's just so prestigious. And then the Premier League, I think, is the hardest to win because you've got to be good for not two or three weeks, you've got to be good for 16 weeks and then good on that one night. So I do think the Premier League is the hardest one to win. 'I think only Phil [Taylor], Michael [van Gerwen] and Gary[Anderson] have done that. So, it shows you how hard it is to do. I've took all the pressure off my shoulders now. I think, if I never won another trophy, I'd be pleased with my career. It's been good. I've been a world champion, I've been a Matchplay champion. They're the two biggest ones I've always wanted to win. 'Now, I'd love to win the Premier League, but if I ended my career without one, I don't think I'd look back and be disappointed. Everything's a free roll for me. If I can go and win it, then I'd be super happy. But I'm starting to get to that point now in my career where I'm not putting that pressure on my shoulders anymore. I'm just here to enjoy myself and try and win as many major tournaments as I can. I just love being involved. 'That's what I like. Being here and being a part of a special occasion like this is just what I live for. So, I'm just happy that I'm here. I'm really, really lucky to have been a world champion and a World No.1, so I just thought, just relax a bit and let the darts do the talking. And if they do, then you can enjoy it. But I'm much more enjoying darts at the moment. 'I've been in, I think, 12 or 13 or so major finals now. So you're kind of used to that feeling. I'm really relaxed about it all. I want to win everything. I don't ever want to turn up to a night on the Premier League, just win a game and I'll be happy. You have to go into every week wanting to win. The drive has to be there.'
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘I struggle' – Five-time darts world champion drops retirement hint and is ‘not sure how much longer I can keep going'
The Dutchman previously announced plans to retire but then reversed his decision DARTBREAK 'I struggle' – Five-time darts world champion drops retirement hint and is 'not sure how much longer I can keep going' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS icon Raymond van Barneveld has announced his intention to gradually close out his playing days. The Dutchman has enjoyed a career which has so far spanned over 40 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Raymond van Barneveld has announced his plans to wind down from darts Credit: Getty 2 Van Barneveld admitted he sometimes struggles with the physical demands of the tour Credit: Rex During that time, Van Barneveld has accrued five World Darts Championship titles and established himself as one of the greats. But his time in the sport is coming to an end. Speaking to recently, the 58-year-old revealed that he intends to start winding down later this year. He said: "Of course, you want to make the Matchplay. But starting next year, I really need to slow things down. It's all becoming a bit too much." READ MORE IN DARTS CALLING IT A DAY One of darts' most recognisable voices makes retirement decision Van Barneveld suggested that he may reduce the amount of events he plays at starting in the near future. He continued: "Maybe cut back on the Pro Tours. I'll keep playing the Euro Tours as long as I'm in the top 16. But let's be honest, the schedule is madness — it barely leaves any time to rest." The Dutchman also admitted that he now finds it difficult keeping up with the physical demands of the tour. "I've been doing this for forty years now, and I still love it," he said. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "When you're up there warming up and hear the crowd — it gives you an incredible feeling of pride. "But while the mind is still willing, the body doesn't always follow. That's the tough part. 'It's a little bit insane' - Raymond van Barneveld reveals what's going wrong for Michael van Gerwen at the moment "I do struggle with that. It takes a lot of mental energy. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going." Van Barneveld initially announced plans to retire after losing to Darin Young in the first round of the 2020 World Championship. However, just one year later, he reversed his decision and returned to the oche. Since then, the former World Champion has been competing regularly at events.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘I struggle' – Five-time darts world champion drops retirement hint and is ‘not sure how much longer I can keep going'
DARTS icon Raymond van Barneveld has announced his intention to gradually close out his playing days. The Dutchman has enjoyed a career which has so far spanned over 40 years. Advertisement 2 Raymond van Barneveld has announced his plans to wind down from darts Credit: Getty 2 Van Barneveld admitted he sometimes struggles with the physical demands of the tour Credit: Rex During that time, But his time in the sport is coming to an end. Speaking to He said: "Of course, you want to make the Matchplay. But starting next year, I really need to slow things down. It's all becoming a bit too much." Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS Van Barneveld suggested that he may reduce the amount of events he plays at starting in the near future. He continued: "Maybe cut back on the Pro Tours. I'll keep playing the Euro Tours as long as I'm in the top 16. But let's be honest, the schedule is madness — it barely leaves any time to rest." The Dutchman also admitted that he now finds it difficult keeping up with the physical demands of the tour. "I've been doing this for forty years now, and I still love it," he said. Advertisement Most read in Darts CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "When you're up there warming up and hear the crowd — it gives you an incredible feeling of pride. "But while the mind is still willing, the body doesn't always follow. That's the tough part. 'It's a little bit insane' - Raymond van Barneveld reveals what's going wrong for Michael van Gerwen at the moment "I do struggle with that. It takes a lot of mental energy. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep going." Advertisement Van Barneveld initially announced plans to retire after losing to Darin Young in the first round of the 2020 World Championship. However, just one year later, he reversed his decision and returned to the oche. Since then, the former World Champion has been competing regularly at events.
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Nathan Aspinall wins in Aberdeen as Luke Littler secures top seed
After Dobey, who knocked Littler out to reach the final, lost his throw again in the sixth leg, he then missed two more darts at a double in the next as Aspinall came back to land double 10. IT'S ASP'S NIGHT IN ABERDEEN! 🏆 What a moment for Nathan Aspinall! It's yet another spirited performance from the former World Matchplay champion, who digs deep in Scotland to keep his bid for London alive! 📺 #PLDarts25 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 15, 2025 Aspinall's victory leaves him four points clear in fourth spot, eliminating Dobey, while Michael van Gerwen would need to win the final night in Sheffield to overhaul him. 'I felt very confident coming into tonight, I bottled it last week but tonight is a new night,' Aspinall said on Sky Sports. 'I've not played amazing tonight, but I have been composed. I've not celebrated, I've stayed in the moment and my finishing has been bang on.' World champion Luke Littler was edged out in the semi-finals (Andrew Milligan/PA) Littler had earlier fought back to beat world number one Luke Humphries in their quarter-final to make sure of top seeding in London. Dobey, though, then produced another impressive display to lead the world champion 3-1 and 4-2 in their semi-final. While Littler again produced a late rally to force a last-leg decider, he missed double six for the match, leaving Dobey to take out 32. Littler's 6-3 quarter-final comeback win over Humphries was a high-quality affair. Luke Humphries (left) lost despite hitting nine maximums (Andrew Milligan/PA) World number one Humphries had ended his 10-week wait for a Premier League nightly victory by edging out Littler in a last-leg decider in Leeds, and opened up in fine style with an early break to lead 2-0 then 3-1. Littler, though, came roaring back to win five legs on the bounce, finishing with a match average of almost 116 while Humphries hit nine maximums in defeat, averaging 110. Price had produced a nine-dart finish in his quarter-final defeat to Bunting. PRICE HITS A NINE-DARTER! 🤯9️⃣ Just when it looked like the game was slipping away from him, Gerwyn Price finds the perfect leg to stay alive against Stephen Bunting! Electric stuff in Aberdeen! 📺 #PLDarts25 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 15, 2025 Welshman Price, already secure of a play-off spot, landed the perfect leg to reduce the deficit to 5-4. It was a second nine-dart finish for Price in this year's tournament, which has one more nightly event in Sheffield ahead of the play-offs at London's O2 on May 29. Having lost his opening eight games, former Masters champion Bunting was already out of contention to progress, but closed out a 6-4 victory over Price to make it through to the semi-finals. In the opening match at the P&J Live, Aspinall built on a fast start to see off Van Gerwen 6-3 and boost his own play-off hopes. Dobey landed five 180s and averaged 107 in a 6-2 victory over former world champion Rob Cross, who can now no longer reach the top four.
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Nathan Aspinall wins in Aberdeen as Luke Littler secures spot as top seed
Nathan Aspinall beat Chris Dobey 6-1 to take victory on Night 15 of the Premier League in Aberdeen and close in on the play-offs, while Gerwyn Price earlier hit a nine-dart finish and Luke Littler made sure of top spot at the O2. Aspinall – who coasted past Stephen Bunting 6-1 in the semi-finals – built on a couple of early breaks over Dobey to establish a solid lead. After Dobey, who knocked Littler out to reach the final, lost his throw again in the sixth leg, he then missed two more darts at a double in the next as Aspinall came back to land double 10. IT'S ASP'S NIGHT IN ABERDEEN! 🏆 What a moment for Nathan Aspinall! It's yet another spirited performance from the former World Matchplay champion, who digs deep in Scotland to keep his bid for London alive! 📺 #PLDarts25 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 15, 2025 Aspinall's victory leaves him four points clear in fourth spot, eliminating Dobey, while Michael van Gerwen would need to win the final night in Sheffield to overhaul him. 'I felt very confident coming into tonight, I bottled it last week but tonight is a new night,' Aspinall said on Sky Sports. 'I've not played amazing tonight, but I have been composed. I've not celebrated, I've stayed in the moment and my finishing has been bang on.' World champion Luke Littler was edged out in the semi-finals (Andrew Milligan/PA) Littler had earlier fought back to beat world number one Luke Humphries in their quarter-final to make sure of top seeding in London. Dobey, though, then produced another impressive display to lead the world champion 3-1 and 4-2 in their semi-final. While Littler again produced a late rally to force a last-leg decider, he missed double six for the match, leaving Dobey to take out 32. Littler's 6-3 quarter-final comeback win over Humphries was a high-quality affair. Luke Humphries (left) lost despite hitting nine maximums (Andrew Milligan/PA) World number one Humphries had ended his 10-week wait for a Premier League nightly victory by edging out Littler in a last-leg decider in Leeds, and opened up in fine style with an early break to lead 2-0 then 3-1. Littler, though, came roaring back to win five legs on the bounce, finishing with a match average of almost 116 while Humphries hit nine maximums in defeat, averaging 110. Price had produced a nine-dart finish in his quarter-final defeat to Bunting. PRICE HITS A NINE-DARTER! 🤯9️⃣ Just when it looked like the game was slipping away from him, Gerwyn Price finds the perfect leg to stay alive against Stephen Bunting! Electric stuff in Aberdeen! 📺 #PLDarts25 — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) May 15, 2025 Welshman Price, already secure of a play-off spot, landed the perfect leg to reduce the deficit to 5-4. It was a second nine-dart finish for Price in this year's tournament, which has one more nightly event in Sheffield ahead of the play-offs at London's O2 on May 29. Having lost his opening eight games, former Masters champion Bunting was already out of contention to progress, but closed out a 6-4 victory over Price to make it through to the semi-finals. In the opening match at the P&J Live, Aspinall built on a fast start to see off Van Gerwen 6-3 and boost his own play-off hopes. Dobey landed five 180s and averaged 107 in a 6-2 victory over former world champion Rob Cross, who can now no longer reach the top four.
