World Darts Championship 2024 – final
Luke Littler – Luke Humphries 4:7
(set scores: 1:3, 3:2, 2:3, 3:1, 3:1, 3:0, 2:3, 1:3, 2:3, 1:3, 2:3)
Match statistics:
- Home 180: 13-23
- Throws 140 and over: 47-60
- Throws of 100 or more: 105-113
- Double success rate: 36.51% – 43.1%
- Highest close: 170 – 170
- Average for three darts: 101.13 – 103.67
- Vyhrané fly: 23-25
LONDON. On the second attempt, he hit a double 8, fell to his knees, and hid his face in his hands. English darts player Luke Humphries has become the world champion for 2024.
Even before the final match with Luke Littler, it was clear that he would be world number one, but his great desire was to lift the Sid Waddell trophy above his head.
In the match against the sensation of the championship, he was a few centimeters away from losing 2:5 in sets, but thanks to five sets won in a row, he enjoyed a 7:4 triumph.
He takes home a £500,000 bonus from London and also became the player to score the most 180s in the tournament, with 73 in total.
The referee of the final was the legendary Russ Bray. For him, it was a farewell after almost 30 years of professional career. After the WC, he will work as an ambassador for the PDC organization, whose Hall of Fame he became a member of on Wednesday.
VIDEO: Russ Bray inducted into the PDC Hall of Fame
Visible nervousness in the beginning
In the previous rounds, it seemed as if only 16-year-old Littler had no trouble on the big stage at Alexandra Palace. He acted relaxed, averaged more than a hundred points three times and also closed excellently.
At the beginning of the final, however, he was overcome by nervousness, it was obvious.
While Humphries first recorded a round without a high triple, it happened twelve times to Littler. He did not succeed, losing 0:1 in sets and 0:2 in legs.
Photo gallery from the finals of the 2024 World Cup in darts
However, Littler finally turned the second set, which was extremely important. With high scores of 142 and then 120 points, the young Englishman gained the necessary self-confidence and from then on the match was very balanced.
The players went into the third break with an even score of 2:2 going into the sets, while Littler could have been a little more upset, as he squandered a 2:0 lead in the third set.
He could lead by three sets
One of the most interesting legs was performed by the players in the sixth set.
Humphries threw two 180s, but the seventh dart no longer found the right target. Finally, no one managed to throw the magic nine at the World Cup. In the same leg, Littler could have closed 170 points, but the third dart missed the center.
It was already at a time when the younger of the Englishmen had the upper hand and built up a fairly promising lead of 4:2 for the sets. He was only three sets away from the sensational triumph at the championship and the scalp of the newly minted world number one.
Another important moment happened in the decisive leg of the seventh set. Littler had 112 points left on the target and hit a triple 18 with the first arrow. The second arrow also ended up in the same box, although the Englishman only wanted to hit a single.
VIDEO: The end of the seventh set of the 2024 World Darts final
Instead of a double 20, he was left with the less popular double 2, which Littler missed. Humphries punished him for it, escaping from a possible 2-5 down in sets and it wasn’t long before the score of the match was once again in his favour.
In a roller-coaster final, Humphries took a 6-4 lead with a series of four won sets. In the next set, Littler had a chance to reduce the loss to one set difference, but he missed double 14 and then double 7 twice.
Humphries took advantage of his hesitation and became world champion. He managed to do it as the twelfth player in the history of the PDC organization.
VIDEO: Editing of the final match of the 2024 World Cup in Darts
He thanked his family, highlighted his opponent
Humphries was already the number one favorite before the tournament, at least according to the bookmakers’ odds. He has been in amazing form, winning the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam and Players Championship Finals in the last three months.
“Honestly, I can’t even describe in words what a great feeling it is. I’m proud of my performance. My hand was shaking when I wanted to hit double 8, but luckily it fell there,” said the world champion in a TV interview.
According to him, the aforementioned conclusion of the seventh set was key.
“It was a turning point. If I was down 2-5, it would have been a really tough task. The last five sets were unbelievable,” he said.
He also mentioned the difficult period he went through. He was worried about his sporting future after struggling with anxiety and depression.
“I went through a lot of problems to become world champion and world number one. It’s all the more special for me.
I have to thank my family. They are the people who make me who I am. Without them, I wouldn’t have this trophy right now,” he admitted.
He also singled out his final opponent, Luke Littler: “He is an incredible talent. Even when I was on the verge of winning, he fought. I am sure he will win the WC many times.”
2024-01-04 00:45:00
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