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    Luke Littler explains Didier Drogba inspiration behind World Darts Championship celebration

    Luke Littler battles Stephen Bunting for a place in tomorrow’s World Darts Championship final with the semi-finals taking place tonight at Alexandra Palace.

    The 17-year old remains the tournament favourite ahead of tonight’s headline match-up, and he faces 39-year-old Bunting, who has never made the final of this competition but has again proved a hit with the crowds.

    In the first semi-final, Michael van Gerwen showed his class with a dominant win over Chris Dobey as the Dutchman continued his pursuit of a fourth world title. Last a winner here in 2019, Van Gerwen seldom looked threatened by the unfancied Englishman and thundered to a 6-1 win to book his spot in the tournament decider.

    With defending champion Luke Humphries having crashed out of the tournament in the fourth round, could this be the moment for Littler’s coronation after a runner-up finish on debut? With three of the four semi-finalists having never won before, fans are in for an intriguing couple of days at Ally Pally, with the final places of the Premier League Darts 2025 also set to be decided.

    Follow all of the action from Ally Pally in our live blog below:

    Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting - 1-0 (1-1)

    Bunting is eyeing a 170 checkout and lands the T20 twice, but misses the bull. He then misses out on double four for the first leg! He’s punished as Littler takes double 10.

    On the second leg, Bunting has a 164 checkout – and he misses the bull again!

    And Littler does the same as he steps up, with both landing 25!

    Next time up, Bunting busts before Littler lands 20 when needing 25, and Bunting then punishes him to get to 1-1.

    An 18-dart leg.

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:46

    Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

    Littler looks fired up in the early going here. Opens with a 14-dart leg and then smashes in a pair of 180s in the second to break the Bunting throw.

    Fair play to Bunting, he impressively broke back immediately and then forced a deciding leg but Littler held his nerve to take out 46 and seal the set.

    To lose a set when averaging 113, as Bunting did, is almost cruel but Littler picked his moments to move 1-0 ahead. Ominous from the teenage phenom.

    (Action Images via Reuters)

    Luke Baker at Alexandra Palace2 January 2025 21:37

    Littler v Bunting - 2-1

    180 early on for Littler – his 52nd of the tournament.

    And then he bags his 53rd! He wasn’t on for the nine-darter, but he lands the double 10 for a 2-0 lead.

    Bunting replies with a 180 of his own, and the duo need 152 and 103 respectively. The 39-year-old misses out on tops to checkout.

    No matter though, as he lands it to break, and we’re at 2-1.

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:33

    Littler v Bunting - 1-0

    No dynamite to start off with in this semi, though Littler sets up a 161 checkout with 140. He takes 121, with Bunting needing 104 after landing a 180...

    But Littler takes the first leg with tops.

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:29

    Luke Littler v Stephen Bunting

    Two brilliant walk-ons that the crowd here loved and it’s got them hyped for what could be a sensational clash. Stephen Bunting has enough experience not to be overawed by the occasion, and might be playing the best darts of his career, while Luke Littler is simply Luke Littler.

    Let’s hope for a match that sparks into life more than the first semi-final did.

    (Action Images via Reuters)

    Luke Baker at Alexandra Palace2 January 2025 21:28

    Littler v Bunting

    Another great reception for Littler, and we’re almost underway in the second semi-final! Both players warming up now.

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:25

    Littler v Bunting

    A great reception for David Guetta’s ‘Titanium’, and for Bunting, and now it’s Littler’s turn to get onto the stage.

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:24

    Littler v Bunting

    The walkouts are starting now, with Bunting first.

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:21

    Van Gerwen v Dobey - van Gerwen wins 6-1!

    We’re gearing up for Littler v Bunting now, which is 15 minutes away at most.

    It was a pretty convincing performance from MVG there, with his quality making it a pretty straightforward match. The atmosphere at Ally Pally reflected it – it almost seemed like everyone knew what the result would be once it went 2-0 early on.

    Will the next match be as one-sided?

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:15

    Van Gerwen v Dobey - van Gerwen wins 6-1!

    Some immediate reaction from MVG on stage here, and he opens by saying that “I think it’s not that bad, but I can be happy with the performance”.

    “I wasn’t as explosive as the last game, but I was efficient. That’s what you have to do if you want to win games.

    “I’m here with a mission and a target. You’re always going to have ups and downs, but today I showed a good mentality. It gives me a lot of confidence.

    “To win on this stage, especially in the semi-final, means a lot to me. What I always say, we’re not even close yet, we’re still so far away. I want to keep battling, I love what I do, it’s my passion, it’s my life. I really enjoyed it tonight.

    “It’s going to be an incredible battle” he adds regarding the final.

    “This is darts at a high level, and this is what we want to do”.

    (Getty Images)

    Chris Wilson2 January 2025 21:10

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