PDC World Championship darts semi-finals: Van Veen v Anderson, Littler sees off Searle – live | PDC World Championship
Check out our latest products
![[Upgraded] USB Computer /Laptop Speaker with Stereo Sound & Enhanced Bass, Portable Mini Sound Bar for Windows PCs, Desktop Computer and Laptops](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61NAayKmVIL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
Key events
How are Van Veen’s nerves now? He missed two darts to move 5-2 ahead, and now Anderson is fully in his mirrors. I can’t spake.
Anderson wins the seventh set, trails 4-3!
Van Veen is so good at starting strongly on his own throw – a max or 140 seems inevitable. But then he coughs up 80, and Anderson follows with 56. The frustration is real. Van Veen waits on a 91 checkout, Anderson gets down to tops … will he get a shot? He will …and this time, he gets it done. We’re back on throw!
Seventh set: *Van Veen (4) 2-2 (2) Anderson A penny for Luke Littler’s thoughts, watching this play out. Van Veen drifts behind on the Anderson throw again, leaving Anderson with three darts at that pesky double 20. But he goes inside on tops, D10 and D5! The match is in Van Veen’s hands … but he can’t land the double. The drama – and Anderson checks out of the mad house. Absolute scenes!
Seventh set: Van Veen (4) 2-1 (2) Anderson* Van Veen starts with a max, but then slips and Anderson hits back with a 180 of his own. He’s down to 54, Van Veen on 130, leaving 40 … and the pressure tells, two doubles missed. Van Veen nicks the leg, and Anderson is furious with himself.
Seventh set: *Van Veen (4) 1-1 (2) Anderson The crowd are getting behind Anderson – they want to see this go the distance – and he dominates this leg on throw, clinching it on double four.
Seventh set: Van Veen (4) 1-0 (2) Anderson* This is a huge set now – either Anderson breaks to trail 4-3, or Van Veen moves one away from his first final. No sign of nerves from Van Veen, landing D16 to take the first leg.
Anderson wins the sixth set, trails 4-2!
A maximum-140 back-to-back from Anderson gives him the edge on Van Veen’s throw. The former champion needs 81, leaves the bull … and hits it!
Sixth set: *Van Veen (4) 1-2 (1) Anderson Is Anderson feeling defeated? He can’t have lost many sets, ever, playing that well. Under pressure on tops with Van Veen on 70, he nails it to stay ahead.
Sixth set: Van Veen (4) 1-1 (1) Anderson* A handy 180 from Anderson, but Van Veen replies with three treble 18s. He’s first to a finish as Anderson sees a third dart rattle out, and despite missing D16, he takes out D8 with Anderson not on a finish.
Sixth set: *Van Veen (4) 0-1 (1) Anderson Gary Anderson starts with an 11-darter to hold throw – now can he apply some pressure?
What more can Gary Anderson do? He’s averaging 105.5 and getting a hiding. Even when he dug out a 170 checkout, Van Veen hit back with one of his own. He has to hope that somehow, the Dutchman’s level drops.
This match is following the pattern of the first semi-final, with Van Veen losing the first set then roaring back. That said, it’s a very different kind of contest.
Van Veen wins the fifth set, leads 4-1!
A ten-dart break, then a 170 checkout … and Anderson is about to lose the set. Or is he? Van Veen falters on double eight, but hits D4 with the last dart in hand. A huge moment – it’s the rising star’s match to lose now.
Fifth set: *Van Veen (3) 2-2 (1) Anderson ANOTHER BIG FISH! This time it’s Van Veen, reeling it in ruthlessly when Anderson stutters on his set-up shot. Anderson can only offer a wry smile, but that has to hurt.
Fifth set: Van Veen (3) 1-2 (1) Anderson* Van Veen rattles through a hold, hitting double 18 on his 11th dart of the leg. And on we go …
Fifth set: *Van Veen (3) 0-2 (1) Anderson Gary Anderson is producing the set of his life – a 10-darter, and now the big fish! A 170 checkout, and barely a flicker. Ridiculous.
Fifth set: Van Veen (3) 0-1 (1) Anderson* Van Veen throws first in this set, and has the chance to take charge … but Anderson comes out fighting, breaking in 10 darts to shift the momentum.
Van Veen has an average of 104.6 after four sets – and a checkout percentage of 76.9%. Anderson, with figures of 102.8 and 53.3%, finds himself playing catch up. But if anyone can stop this runaway train, it’s the Flying Scotsman.
Van Veen wins the fourth set, leads 3-1!
Ando opens with 96 and Van Veen responds with a max –then follows with a 177, and the nine-darter is on! Ack, the first dart drops low, but he’s left 47 to take a 3-1 lead … and surprise, he hits the double on his first attempt. It’s bordering on disrespectful now.
Fourth set: Van Veen (2) 2-2 (1) Anderson* From 161, Van Veen trims effortlessly down to 32, with Anderson not on a finish. A ninth double out of 12 is converted – that’s close to unplayable.
Fourth set: *Van Veen (2) 1-2 (1) Anderson Anderson miscounts from 87, ending up on 39. A tricky finish to manoeuvre, but he gets there in three darts.
Fourth set: Van Veen (2) 1-1 (1) Anderson* With Van Veen on 76, Anderson gets down to double top. Pressure on? Not really – the Dutchman hits T20, D8 in two darts.
Fourth set: *Van Veen (2) 0-1 (1) Anderson Gary Anderson needs to give his opponent a little nudge, and does so here with a 144 checkout, delivered with minimum fuss.
Van Veen wins the third set, leads 2-1!
Van Veen opens with a 180, and will have six darts from 160 as Anderson falters. He leaves double 16, and pins it with his second dart! That’s the first set which has gone to the player throwing first.
Third set: *Van Veen (1) 2-2 (1) Anderson With Van Veen waiitng on 170, Anderson can’t take out 140, and is left a nervy out-shot on double five. He nails it first time, and we go to a decider.
Third set: Van Veen (1) 2-1 (1) Anderson* Both players averaging over 100 so far, but this is a rare scrappy leg. On 208 after 12 darts, GVV gets 140 – and takes out D4 at the second attempt! A missed opportunity for Anderson there.
Third set: *Van Veen (1) 1-1 (1) Anderson Anderson gets on the board, missing his first shot at tops but nailing the second.
Third set: Van Veen (1) 1-0 (1) Anderson* Well, it’s already clear both of these men are here to play. Van Veen opens the third leg, is narrowly first to a finish – and he takes out 107 for a second ton-plus checkout!
Van Veen wins the second set! Van Veen 1-1 Anderson
Second set: *Van Veen (0) 2-1 (1) Anderson As the crowd serenade Anderson, Van Veen offers up a couple of trebleless visits – but isn’t punished, then takes out 117. Ice in his veins, and we’re all square.
Second set: *Van Veen (0) 2-1 (1) Anderson Can Anderson keep the set alive? He’s first to a finish, albeit a tricky 135. He leaves 72, with Van Veen waiting on 77. One dart at tops … nailed!
Second set: Van Veen (0) 2-0 (1) Anderson* Anderson can’t apply any pressure with Van Veen on 50, which he pops in two darts. He’s very much up for this.
Second set: *Van Veen (0) 1-0 (1) Anderson Gian van Veen comes flying out of the blocks, rattling off a 10-dart leg against the throw.
“This could be one for the ages,” writes Simon McMahon. “180’s for fun, a 9-darter a live possibility, sudden death 11th set. No idea who wins, could go either way, strap in.” Absolutely.
Anderson wins the first set!
Anderson can’t get down to a finish, but Van Veen doesn’t punish him in time. A 59 checkout … but he misses two set darts! Van Veen misses tops, Anderson back to D10 – and with his final dart in hand, he gets it done.
First set: Van Veen (0) 1-2 (0) Anderson* Van Veen racks up his second maximum but Anderson edges ahead, hitting double 16 to close an 11-dart leg. Zero doubles missed so far …
First set: *Van Veen (0) 1-1 (0) Anderson Anderson can’t reel in the big fish, but checks out 72 with Van Veen lurking. The pace is relentless already …
First set: Van Veen (0) 1-0 (0) Anderson* (*denotes next throw) Van Veen throwing first, and leaving the door ajar for Anderson, who can’t get close to a 130 checkout. Van Veen takes out 80 with three darts to claim the first leg.
Van Veen v Anderson: game on!
This one feels too close to call. I fancy Anderson might just have too much experience: Van Veen 4-6 Anderson is my prediction, without any real conviction.
Van Veen v Anderson: tale of the tape
Gian van Veen
Age: 23. From: Gelderland, Netherlands. Seeded: No 10.
Nickname: The Giant. Title odds: 3-1.
Path to the final: R1 bt Reyes 3-1, R2 bt Soutar 3-1;
R3 bt Razma 4-1; R4 bt Mandy 4-1; QF bt Humphries 5-1.
Best worlds performance: Semi-finalist (2026).
Walk-on music: “Astronomia” by Tony Igy & Vicetone
Gary Anderson
Age: 55. From: Musselburgh. Seeded: No 14.
Nickname: The Flying Scotsman. Title odds: 6-1.
Path to the final: R1 bt Hunt 3-2, R2 bt Scutt 3-1;
R3 bt Wattimena 4-3; R4 bt Van Gerwen 4-1; QF bt Hood 5-2.
Best worlds performance: Champion (2015, 2016)
Walk-on music: “Jump Around” by House of Pain
Head to head record: Van Veen 1-4 Anderson.
Gary Anderson: “Gian’s a lovely lad, a class act and he could be the best player in the world soon. I just hope to play a good game.”
Gian van Veen: “I feel very comfortable on that stage, which I didn’t before … to play my idol on this stage is a dream come true.”
Some key stats from the first semi-final …
Averages: Littler 105.35, Searle 93.31
Checkouts hit: Littler 58.8%, Searle 42.1%
Highest checkout: Littler 110, Searle 170
Legs won: Littler 20, Searle 8
Littler mentioned “blurred signs” in his interview – to explain, Paddy Power blurred their logo tonight on signage boards to raise funds for treating autosomal dominant optic atrophy – the visual impairment that affects Ryan Searle. He has raised more than £15,000 for the Cure ADOA foundation, and Paddy Power have pledged to match that.
Here’s Luke Littler, carrying out his interview on the stage this time: “Few boos, few cheers, good crowd. Big shoutout to Paddy Power for blurring the signs tonight [more on that in a second]. I went 1-0 down, didn’t play that well … but I said to myself, you’ll find it.”
“Ryan did amazing this tournament, he should be proud … but we go again tomorrow.” Who does he think he’ll be playing? Littler backed Van Veen to beat Humphries yesterday, but says this one is too close to call.
Luke Littler beats Ryan Searle 6-1!
Searle is left frustrated as a trebless visit opens the door, and Littler has six darts to take out 167. He sets up double 20, and you all know what happens next. He’s going to his third straight final!
Seventh set: Littler (5) 2-2 (1) Searle* Some very slight concentration issues for Littler since missing that nine-dart effort, and he watches Searle miss a set dart before taking out tops at the second attempt.
Seventh set: *Littler (5) 1-2 (1) Searle Littler has an 82 checkout to all but kill this game, but he gets in a tangle, and Searle cleans up on double four. Can he get another set on the board?
Seventh set: Littler (5) 1-1 (1) Searle* That was a great moment for Searle, who deserves better than being totally pulverised out there. But Littler isn’t giving him any more chances, rattling through a hold. He’s two legs away.
Seventh set: *Littler (5) 0-1 (1) Searle Seven perfect darts … but the eighth drops below the treble-20 bed. And somehow, Searle is in touch, with 170 to go. Treble 20, treble 20 – and the bull! Searle stops the rot with a “big fish” checkout, and gets a fist bump from Littler.
Littler wins the sixth set, leads 5-1
Littler wraps up the set from 91, and immediately sets about getting that nine-darter …
Sixth set: *Littler (4) 2-0 (1) Searle Littler starts this leg with six perfect darts – and it feels like the moment has arrived. But he falls short, then gets stuck on double three. A rare chance for Searle, but he’s a long way off D10, and the run of Littler legs goes on.
Sixth set: Littler (4) 1-0 (1) Searle* Littler is averaging 100+ every set, giving Searle so little in terms of opportunities. He shows a glimpse of humanity by hitting seven instead of 19, but soon recalibrates on double tops.
Littler wins the fifth set, leads 4-1
With 127 left, Searle sets up a double-top finish – only for Littler, on 100, to hit treble 20, double 20 without a second thought. Total domination.
