Luke Littler is relishing the chance to take on Stephen Bunting and his “Bunting Army” in their semi-final match at Alexandra Palace on Thursday.
Littler continued his quest for a maiden World Darts Championship title with a convincing 5-2 win over Nathan Aspinall, having seen Bunting dispatch Peter Wright by the same margin.
Both players receive massive support from the Ally Pally crowd, with Bunting’s ‘Titanium’ walk-on and Littler’s ‘Greenlight’ track creating huge buzz before each game, with the pre-tournament favorite knowing that the public will not all support his offer. to reach a second World final.
“They (the crowd) were good to me tonight,” Littler said he told Sky Sports after defeating Aspinall. “They have treated Stefanos well as well.
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Laughs all around as Littler and Aspinall joke after missing nine darts in their quarter-final
“They can pick and support whoever they want. I can see quite a few Nuke jerseys in here so I think I’m doing better!”
With Luke Humphries suffering a shock early exit, Littler now enters the semi-finals as the heavy favorite – Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobbie in the other semi-final – but knows anything can happen on the Ally Pally stage.
But the 17-year-old is feeling his best throughout the tournament and hopes to repeat that on Thursday night to book his place in the final once again.
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Littler says he plays with complete confidence and freedom
“That’s probably what everyone thinks, but anything can happen on the day, it’s the World Championship semi-finals,” Littler said.
“Obviously Michael has been there many times, Chris is in his first, I’m in his second and I know Bunting I think is in his first or second so it’s going to be a good night.
“I felt the best I have in this tournament so far, so hopefully I can regroup and come back again and it can be the same feeling.
“We all know the expectation and it’s very different to last year, but tonight I felt my best and hopefully I can regroup and feel like I did on that stage tomorrow (Thursday).
“I would say I felt different in the Ryan Meikle fight and then I got through against Ian White, obviously the 3-1 lead was crucial against Ian and after the tough test against Ryan I think that’s what I needed. and then tonight I just settled.’
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Stephen Bunting credits training partner Luke Humphries for his improved form to reach the semi-finals after victory over Peter Wright
Bunting demands more from the Ally Pally crowd
Although Littler is ready to have his opponent by his side when the fans meet in their semi-final, Bunting himself faced Wright’s growing support as he fought back in their quarter-final.
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Watch as Bunding’s son cheers dad on for quarter-final win over Wright
At the end of his match, Bunting praised the crowd but asked for more.
“Listen (the crowd) in the first four sets you were unreal, but you have to do better,” Bunting said. Sky Sports.
“I thought to myself just try to refocus. Every game I have focused on this opponent. The people, again incredible.
“Let’s go Bunting mentally!”
What’s next?
Three-time world champion Van Gerwen is the first of Thursday’s matches as he faces Dobey, looking to reach the final for the first time, before pre-tournament favorite Littler takes on Bunting in the other semi-final.
The World Darts Championship kicks off a big 2025 with live darts on Sky Sports, including the Premier League, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix and Grand Slam of Darts.
Littler is the defending Premier League champion after beating world No 1 Humphries in last year’s final – but will he go into this year’s events as world champion?
Who Will Win The Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch the semi-finals and final exclusively live on Sky Sports’ exclusive darts channel. Stream darts and more top sports with NOW.
