Gary Anderson put up a strong fight in his semi-final match against Gian van Veen at the World Darts Championship 2026, but ultimately lost 6-3.
What happened?
The match was an epic contest, with Van Veen prevailing in a thrilling nine-set battle.
Anderson and Van Veen produced some of the most exciting darts of the tournament, including a fifth set that will be remembered for its incredible finishes.
Why it matters for Gary Anderson
This loss marks a significant setback for Anderson, who was seeking to advance to the final and claim the championship title.
Anderson's performance was impressive, but Van Veen's skill and determination proved to be too much for him.
What comes next?
Van Veen will now face Luke Littler in the final, a match that promises to be an exciting and closely contested battle.
Littler has been in strong form, having defeated Ryan Searle 6-1 in his semi-final match.
The final will take place on Saturday, January 3, at 7:30pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Darts.
Anderson's loss to Van Veen was a narrow one, with the Dutchman winning 6-3 in a match that took nine sets to decide.
The fifth set was particularly notable, with two 170 finishes, a 10-darter, an 11-darter, and two 12-darters.
Van Veen's victory was a significant one, as it marked his first appearance in the World Darts Championship final.
Anderson, on the other hand, has been in this position before, having reached the final on multiple occasions.
The crowd was electric, with a 75 per cent success rate on the outer ring helping Searle clinch the early lead.
But Littler hit back with two breaks of throw to level the match at 1-1.
As the match progressed, Littler's average tipped over 103, landing the first maximum in the process.
The reigning champion reached new heights in set four, with his average skyrocketing above 108.
And Littler made it five legs in a row with his scoring giving Searle no room for manoeuvre.