PDC World Darts Championship semi-finals: Dobey v Van Gerwen, Bunting v Littler – live
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Nickname: Mighty Mike/MvG. World ranking: No 3. Home town: Vlijmen, Netherlands. Major titles: 48 and counting. PDC worlds best: Winner 2014, 2017 and 2019. Walk-on music: Seven Nation Army. A decade ago, Van Gerwen was in Luke Littler’s position; the heir apparent to Phil Taylor’s throne who seemed capable of lifting the world title year after year. The fact he has only won three Ally Pally crowns feels almost disappointing; Van Gerwen has occasionally misplaced his ruthless streak here, losing as many finals as he has won.
That said, even Littler would struggle to keep up with the flying Dutchman at his absolute best. Also, Van Gerwen is still only 35, and has time to reach a world title haul more fitting his quality, much like Ronnie O’Sullivan has done in snooker. The way MvG held off the electric form of Callan Rydz in the last eight bodes well for his chances.
Road to semi-finals: R2 beat James Hurrell 3-0, R3 bt Brendan Dolan 4-2, R4 bt Jeffrey de Graaf 4-2, QF bt Callan Rydz 5-3. Nickname: Hollywood. World ranking: No 15. Home town: Bedlington. Major titles: Masters 2023. PDC worlds best: Semis 2025. Walk-on music: Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble.
Much like in men’s tennis, Dobey is part of a ‘Next Gen’ group whose gradual rise through the darting world has been overshadowed by Littler’s rapid ascent. The 34-year-old is due to crack the world’s top 10 next year, reward for reaching his first semi-finals here, having lost painfully in the quarter-finals in 2023 and 2024.
Dobey, who earned the nickname “Hollywood” for having the temerity to wear a baseball cap while playing as an amateur, won his first PDC title, the Masters, in 2023, but struggled in his first Premier League campaign in the same year. Like his football team, Newcastle, Dobey remains determined to break into the elite one day.
