Noppert falls after darts classic at the World Darts Championship: “What he did was World Champion worthy"

Danny Noppert failed to reach the third round of the World Darts Championship. The 34-year-old Frisian lost at Alexandra Palace after a gripping five-setter to Justin Hood, who rose above himself in the decisive phase.

Noppert showed resilience and survived multiple match darts, but ultimately had to concede to an opponent who did not buckle under pressure at the crucial moment.

“I wasn’t at my best in the first two sets,” Noppert analyzed afterwards on Viaplay. “I fought back well, but what he did at the end was world champion-worthy. If he keeps playing like that, he’s super dangerous for everyone.”

The match was of a high standard from the start, with both players immediately showing they hadn’t come to London to sit back. The opening set was evenly matched, with solid scoring and tidy checkouts on both sides. Because Hood threw first in the set, he had the advantage in the deciding leg, which he took. Noppert was tidy, but couldn’t prevent the set from going 3-2 to the Englishman.

In the second set Noppert ran into further trouble. An early break put him under immediate pressure and he never managed to claw back the deficit. Hood kept scoring aggressively and, despite a few missed doubles, maintained control of the set. With 3-1, the Brit stretched his lead to 2-0 in sets, leaving Noppert suddenly staring at elimination.

“I ended up chasing the game too much,” Noppert admitted. The difference wasn’t so much in his own level, but in the moments when Hood struck. “He threw way above his level. I’ve never seen him do this.”

The third set gave the match a different look. Hood maintained his level and even had the chance to win it in three sets when he had a match dart at 170. He missed. It proved a crucial moment. Noppert stayed ice-cool and immediately took out 102 to stay in the set. That gave the Frisian new energy. He held firm, took his chances, and managed to turn the set in his favor after all. The deficit was reduced to 2-1 and the momentum shifted.

In the fourth set Noppert seized the initiative. Throwing first, he played controlled darts without forcing risky shots. Whenever the pressure mounted, he found a way out. With steady play he claimed the set and leveled at 2-2. The comeback was on.

“I didn’t give up,” Noppert said. “But I was really stunned by what he did.” Because although Noppert had battled his way back into the match, Hood continued to perform at a remarkable level.

The fifth and deciding set turned into a darts classic. Noppert broke Hood and moved 2-1 ahead, with the chance to close it out himself. He had a match dart at double 10, but it stayed outside the board. Hood punished him and leveled again.

What followed was a sequence of legs where both players performed at the limit of their ability. Hood had multiple match darts but squandered them. Noppert kept escaping with checkouts, including one from 157 and later another from 127 to force a deciding leg.

Alexandra Palace was rocking, but in that winner-takes-all leg Hood kept his composure. With a confident tops finish he finally ended the match and sealed Noppert’s fate.

The disappointment was great but he remained gracious in his assessment. “He played the match of his life. I’m genuinely pleased for him. He didn’t nick it; he could have won 3-0 as well. Unfortunately, s*** happens.”