40 year age difference
“Immortal” darts legend plays his way into the generational duel
December 29, 2023, 7:43 p.m
Raymond van Barneveld reached the round of 16 at the Darts World Cup in London, marking an unprecedented duel between generations. On Saturday evening we face teenage sensation Luke Littler in the round of 16.
Five-time darts world champion Raymond van Barneveld is in the round of 16 of the Darts World Championships in London where he will face teenage sensation Luke Littler. The 56-year-old Dutchman won his third round match against the Welshman Jim Williams 4-1 without convincing and can therefore continue to hope for the biggest title in darts. “Barney” won the only world title to date with the professional darts organization PDC on January 1, 2007 in the legendary final against record champion Phil Taylor. Luke Littler was born exactly 20 days after his triumph. Tomorrow, Saturday evening, “Barney” will face the 16-year-old super talent in a generational duel.
With his strong performances and his youthful nature, Littler quickly became a crowd favorite at the World Cup. Only three-time champion Michael van Gerwen (Netherlands) and top favorite Luke Humphries (England) are traded higher by bookmakers.
“Played Lego and Playmobil when I was 16”
“I’m really looking forward to the game. The boy is amazing. When I was 16, I was still playing with Lego and Playmobil,” said van Barneveld, 40 years his senior, after reaching the round of 16. The Dutchman is by far the oldest remaining participant in the tournament. “I’m one of the immortals in this sport. I just love the game.”
Before the duel between Williams and “Barney”, Jonny Clayton (Wales) and Damon Heta (Australia) had already secured their places in the round of 16. Clayton defeated Poland’s Krzysztof Ratajski 4-2 and will now face English former world champion Rob Cross in the round of 16. After his 4:3 win over Berry van Peer (Netherlands), Heta has the best chance of making it to the quarter-finals. On Saturday he will play against the unseeded Englishman Scott Williams, who had thrown out Martin Schindler.
In addition to “The Wall”, Gabriel Clemens, Florian Hempel and Ricardo Pietreczko were also eliminated in the third round of the Darts World Cup.