Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld look back on their rivalry

Phil Taylor and Raymond van Barneveld played out one of darts' all-time great rivalries.

Over more than a decade, the two multiple-time world champions have played out some titanic tussles. Taylor often came out on top, but van Barneveld's ability to test him like no other turned their relationship into an instant headline-maker.
Speaking to Live Darts, the pair showed how much the heat between the once-battling duo has cooled over time.
"It was the best thing that ever happened to the PDC, when Barney came over," Taylor said.
The rivalry began in earnest with the 1999 'match of the century' between the then PDC and BDO top dogs at the Wembley Conference Centre - a tie Taylor won.
"I never had the right feeling when this guy beat me 21-10 over an hour in London," van Barneveld said.
"I always had the feeling - 'I want to play him again'. I was winning lots of titles in the BDO, he was winning many competitions in the PDC, and I was thinking why not take a chance and try to battle with him."

An orange rag to a bull

Their greatest battle was the 2007 World Championship final, billed by some as the PDC's greatest ever showdown. The Power, sporting an orange shirt, took charge. But Barney bounced back to claim the title at the Circus Tavern in a sudden death leg. But was Taylor's choice of clothing a deliberate ploy?
"Probably!" Taylor admitted.
"I was miles in front, then I changed the shirt and got beat. I should've kept it on!" said Taylor, who also admitted that he has never watched back the legendary final.
One specific moment from that final sticks out for the pair. The sudden death leg meant a bull-off, and Taylor struck the outer bull. Van Barneveld asked for the dart to stay in, used the marker to strike the bull, and went on to win. Both highlighted it as a landmark moment in their rivalry.
"But it wasn't that which won the game," Taylor added.
"(van Barneveld) hit 60, then I went 180, and he went 180 after - that won the game."

Mutual respect

Now Taylor is retired and van Barneveld's career is slowly winding down, the pair have much more praise for each other than they did during their heyday.
"It was brilliant, it was excited - I still get excited playing Barney now." Taylor said.
"The darts has lost a lot. There's not any rivalries now, there's nothing to talk about."
"He beat me so many times, and proved that he's the best player in the world," van Barneveld chimed in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4bkYwhRkxw