Dirk van Duijvenbode and
Luke Humphries have qualified for the final of the
European Darts Matchplay. Later on Sunday evening, they will compete for the title at the Euro Tour tournament in Trier.
Van Duijvenbode was too strong for Joe Cullen in the first semi-final. The latter won two of the first three legs, but then 'Aubergenius' rushed to a 5-2 lead via a 12-darter, 14-darter, 127 finish and a 16-darter. However, Cullen then fought his way back to 5-5.
The 11th leg went to Van Duijvenbode, who needed only one more leg for a final place. However, Cullen forced a final leg via a 58 checkout. In the last leg, Van Duijvenbode showed his class with a handsome 78 finish in two darts.
The second semifinal between Humphries and James Wade was also a cracker. Wade recorded an average of 109 and threw no fewer than ten 180s, but it turned out not to be enough.
Just on the doubles, Wade let it slip at the end of the match. In the twelfth leg, "The Machine" missed two darts on double 10 for 6-6. Humphries then took the win with a 13-darter.