24/11/2020

Grand Slam of Darts 2020 final preview: Jose de Sousa faces James Wade on Tuesday evening

Jose de Sousa or James Wade will be the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts champion. Don't pretend you saw that coming.

Some superb stories have been told. Adam Gawlas made tentative steps into the world of major senior darts. Ian White and Adam Hunt both made history in stunning fashion. Mikuru Suzuki almost stunned Gerwyn Price. The Michaels, Smith and Van Gerwen, started brightly and burned out. Dimitri van den Bergh did both in a more stunning fashion. Damon Heta and Devon Petersen both made waves, while Peter Wright plummeted out. 30 players' stories have been told; Jose de Sousa and James Wade have one chapter left to write.

How to watch 2020 Grand Slam of Darts live

Considering that De Sousa is a full nine years older than Wade, he is a relative newbie on the big scene. The Portuguese pioneer has made his first major final, 29 months and one day after reaching his first Pro Tour final - which, incidentally, he lost against the Machine. Should he win this, it wouldn't just be a maiden major but his first victory over Wade.

You could've been forgiven for doubting De Sousa's ability to get out of Group C, given how stacked with talent it was. He thrashed Lisa Ashton and took a decider against Krzysztof Ratajski, but was outgunned by Michael Smith. After toppling Dave Chisnall, the Special One got his revenge over Smith. Simon Whitlock scrapped in the semi-final, but was ground out by the 46-year-old. Now he's one win away from being the first ever Iberian major champion.

De Sousa is starting to garner a Wade-like reputation, both on the big stage and off it. He has no real weakness; his scoring is consistent and often blindingly spectacular, while the finishing is about as good as it gets. There's only one issue - that he's utterly, utterly mental.

Prize Money breakdown for the 2020 Grand Slam of Darts with £550,000 on offer

James Wade threw zero darts while leading in his semi-final win over Dimitri van den Bergh - because match dart took him in front for the first time. It's an incredible testament to the never-say-die attitude of a man in his 16th ranked TV final, 14 years after making his first.

Two wins over Damon Heta sandwiched his run to that 31-leg classic against the Belgian. After averaging a little over 102 against the Aussie and winning well, he swatted aside Jermaine Wattimena, Glen Durrant and Ian White. In the quarter-finals, he averaged a little under 102 against Heta. Throughout the tournament, Wade has looked like a man on a mission.

The win over Van Den Bergh was daylight robbery - albeit one sprinkled liberally with magic. It was, in a word, Wadey. The only blip was his checkout success rate dipping at the start, though he did pick it up as the pressure mounted. Wade has lost in this final twice before, most agonisingly in 2010. Perhaps it's third time lucky for him now.