The World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered high drama and incredible performances on Saturday. Teenage sensation Luke Littler narrowly survived a nail-biting encounter against Nathan Aspinall, winning 10-9 to keep his ambitious 2026 major clean-sweep bid alive. Meanwhile, local heroes Dirk van Duijvenbode and Gian van Veen electrified the home crowd with stunning victories, including van Duijvenbode’s upset over world number two Luke Humphries. Big names like Gerwyn Price, James Wade, and Jonny Clayton also secured their spots, setting the stage for an explosive Finals Day.
Littler’s Quest for History Continues
The evening session culminated in a true spectacle as Luke Littler faced off against Nathan Aspinall in a last-leg decider. Littler, known for his incredible rise, was pushed to his absolute limit by a determined Aspinall. With the score tied at 9-9, Littler held his nerve, reeling off the final two legs, including a crucial 12-darter against the throw, to seal a 10-9 victory. This hard-fought win ensures the young star remains on track for an unprecedented clean sweep of major titles in 2026, adding another thrilling chapter to his burgeoning rivalry with Aspinall.
Littler averaged 98.07, showcasing his consistent high-level play, while Aspinall’s 94.52 average highlighted the quality of the contest. The pressure was immense, but Littler’s ability to perform under duress once again proved decisive.
Dutch Delights: Home Stars Electrify Amsterdam
The afternoon session truly belonged to the Dutch players and some impressive underdog stories, igniting the AFAS Live arena with passionate home support.
- Dirk van Duijvenbode delivered the performance of the day, sending shockwaves through the tournament by stunning world number two Luke Humphries. Van Duijvenbode captivated the raucous crowd with a superb 101.14 average, securing a dramatic 10-9 victory. His explosive play and connection with the Dutch fans made this a truly memorable moment.
- Gian van Veen also impressed, coming through a high-standard match against Karel Sedláček with a 10-7 win. Van Veen’s performance, featuring a remarkable 101.52 average and a flurry of maximums, showcased the depth of talent within Dutch darts. Sedláček himself posted an incredible 103.30 average in defeat, highlighting the exceptional quality of this encounter.
Other Big Names Secure Quarter-Final Berths
Several other top players navigated their way through tough second-round matches to book their spots in Sunday’s quarter-finals:
- James Wade put on a high-quality display, dispatching home favourite Wessel Nijman 10-7 with an impressive 101.40 average.
- Gerwyn Price showed his clinical edge, securing a commanding 10-5 victory over Jim Long.
- Jonny Clayton battled past Motomu Sakai 10-8 in a competitive affair to advance.
- In the earlier matches, Josh Rock overcame Ryan Searle 10-7, and Ross Smith delivered an impressive 10-5 win against Daryl Gurney.
The Stage is Set: Quarter-Final Line-Up
The tension is building for Finals Day, with a strong Dutch presence and several heavyweight clashes promising more darts drama. The quarter-final matchups for Sunday afternoon are:
- Ross Smith vs Josh Rock
- Dirk van Duijvenbode vs Gian van Veen
- Gerwyn Price vs James Wade
- Luke Littler vs Jonny Clayton
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals continues on Sunday, September 20th, with a bumper Finals Day at the AFAS Live, culminating in the crowning of a champion.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
