“I want to be in between Humphries and Littler like a hotdog”: Danny Noppert's bizarre analogy after romping into Grand Slam semi-finals

Danny Noppert booked his first Grand Slam of Darts semi-final with a measured 16–8 victory over Lukas Wenig on Saturday night, continuing a season in which he has been one of the steadiest performers on television. The result puts him into his fifth major semi-final of 2025, underlining a level of consistency that has carried him firmly into the title conversation in Wolverhampton.

Reflecting on the performance, Noppert acknowledged that the early stages weren’t up to his usual standard, but he was satisfied with how he tightened up as the match progressed.

“It didn’t really show in the beginning. It was a bit flat,” he admitted afterwards. “But my doubles were good enough at the end. That’s what got me over the line.”

It summed up a night where he wasn’t spectacular but handled the moments that mattered. As he put it, reaching the business end of majors isn’t always about hitting top gear. “You can’t play your best every time. Sometimes it’s about doing the right things at the right moments, and that worked today.”

Asked whether he feels he’s a stronger player now than the one who lifted the UK Open three years ago, Noppert didn’t hesitate.

“I think so. Every time I’m on the big stage, I walk my own path, step by step. I’m just a better player now than three years ago.”

The results back him up. He’s been more stable, more composed, and far more present in the latter stages of major events. He carries the quiet certainty of a player who knows he belongs among the elite.

His run to the last four includes a standout win over three-time Grand Slam champion Michael van Gerwen in the last 16. It was one of the sharpest displays he’s produced this week.

“Against Michael it was a good game,” he said. “But today wasn’t yesterday. You can’t play at the same level every day. Still, I did the right things at the right moment, and that’s part of darts too.”

Up next is Luke Littler, the 18-year-old tearing up the sport this season. Noppert, true to form, didn’t dress it up.

“I take confidence from this week. Luke is a world-class player, but I can definitely beat him.”

Luke Humphries has been a problem for him all year, knocking him out in three semi-finals already in 2025. Asked how it felt to avoid him this time, Noppert broke into a grin.

“It’s always between the two Lukes this year. They’re in almost every semi-final or final. So yeah, it’s nice to meet someone else for once.”

But he wasn’t entertaining talk of picking opponents. “Do I want to avoid one of them? No… I actually just want to be in between them, like a hot dog,” he joked. “But they’re all great players. Josh Rock as well. We’re all fighting for every title.”

Noppert’s deep run also moves him close to breaking into the top four of the world rankings, a milestone achieved by very few Dutch players.

“What would that mean to me? A lot, of course,” he said. “But my focus is really match by match. My performances have been good enough this year to be up there, but I want to be even better.”

He gave Wenig credit for the late pressure too, after the German rattled off a short burst of legs to avoid a heavier defeat. “He’s a good player. He won three legs in a row at the end, and of course you think: oof, he can come back. He hit almost two triples every visit. But I kept believing in myself.”

Plenty of pundits now consider Noppert one of the most consistent players on tour this season. Even he didn’t argue.

“I think I’m one of the most consistent players at the moment. I’ve been playing well for months. Today wasn’t my best match, but I deserved the win.”

Whether there’s still another level to come remains to be seen. “I want to keep going like this. Is this my peak? I don’t know. But I’m still growing.”

The interview ended on a different note when talk turned to Noppert’s recent trip to Burnley vs Arsenal, courtesy of Quilindschy Hartman. The visit clearly stuck with him.

“It was my first Premier League match ever. And yeah, I’m a Manchester United fan,” he laughed. “He invited me and gave me a shirt. Really nice to experience.”

The two haven’t met in person but stay in touch online. “Maybe he can come support me tomorrow. I don’t know if he has commitments with the national team, but he’s a fantastic player.”

His pick for the best Dutch player to appear in the Premier League? “Van Persie. A brilliant striker.”

With another major semi-final on the board and his best season to date still rolling, Noppert no longer fits the label of “dangerous outsider.” He’s firmly in the pack chasing the sport’s biggest titles.

Now he has his best opportunity since winning the UK Open. Two more wins, and Danny Noppert will lift another major trophy.

“It would mean a huge amount,” he said quietly, but the intent behind it was unmistakable.