Michael van Gerwen said he expects his final against Luke Littler or Stephen Bunting to be “unbelievable” after storming into his seventh World Darts Championship semi-final.
Three-time champion Van Gerwen ended a six-year wait to go all the way in the tournament with a 6-1 victory over Chris Dobey in the last four at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Michael van Gerwen is in his seventh World Darts Championship final! 🎯
Now he has the chance to win a FOURTH world title 🏆pic.twitter.com/OtbZNwiw5x
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
“That’s something I have to worry about tomorrow – I don’t care,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports when asked about the prospect of facing Littler or Bunding in Friday’s (8pm GMT) decider.
“It’s going to be incredible… there have been a lot of fantastic moments. The crowd loves it, the people at home love it – what more do you want? This is darts at the highest level and that’s what we want to do.”
MVG nails a MAGNIFICENT 158 fund 🤩 pic.twitter.com/gE8VNLhNxP
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
Van Gerwen vs Dobey
In his first semi-final at the tournament, Dobey missed three darts in the doubles to level the match before Van Gerwen took a 2-0 lead.
Van Gerwen looked to be cruising at times as he cruised past Dobey, including a cash of 158 during the sixth set on his way to a 98.84 average.
CHRIS DOMBEY WITH THE BIG FISH! 🐟 pic.twitter.com/WNaSz46XDd
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
Dobey averaged 94.77 but fell short of the heights he was always likely to demand, finishing with a respectable performance as part of a run that will put the Englishman in the top 10 in the world.
“I love playing on stage,” Van Gerwen said. “It’s my passion, it’s my life. I really enjoyed it tonight. We are still very far (from victory).
“I still have to fight. (Friday) is another day and the title is a long way off. You have to keep telling yourself this. I don’t want to make mistakes. I want to keep it that way.”
MVG celebrates with their adoring fans 🤩 📸 pic.twitter.com/6tKkCgXG9k
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) January 2, 2025
World Darts Championship final: Van Gerwen ‘effective’
“A 99 average isn’t that bad. I’m happy with the performance… I was effective,” Van Gerwen added. “When I had to do things, I did them at the right time and that’s what you have to do to win games.
“You always have ups and downs, but today I had the right mindset. Even when things didn’t go my way, I pulled out good things at the right times.
“Winning on this stage, especially in the semi-finals, means a lot to me. My family is watching and it means a lot.”
Absolute favorite Littler meets Stephen Bunting in the second semi-final immediately following Van Gerwen’s win on Thursday.
