Sensational Van Barneveld to quarter-finals Grand Slam of Darts, ‘sloppy’ Noppert is out | Darts

Van Barneveld needed Wednesday to warm up. He faced a 5-2 deficit in no time, but Barney fought his way back into the game sensationally. De Haagenaar even took the lead (7-6), after which it was equalized to 8-8. Van Barneveld then struck hard.

Van Barneveld will face Gerwyn Price in the quarterfinals, who kept Danny Noppert out of the last eight after a majestic comeback. The number 1 in the world faced a 7-4 deficit, but then thundered through with masterful play: 10-8. ,,This is part of it”, said Noppert. ,,It didn’t go that bad, but Pryce played very well and I was sloppy at the decisive moment.”

Van Barneveld, winner of the Grand Slam of Darts in 2012, surprised last weekend in the group stage with a victory over Gerwyn Price, the number 1 in the world. The Dutchman, himself the global number 50, had already started the tournament with a victory over Dave Chisnall. In the second match of the evening, Michel Smith also booked a place in the top eight with a win (10-8) over Rob Cross.

Van Barneveld was euphoric after his first quarter-final since 2016 (‘then we still wrote darts with sch…’). “This is unbelievable. Apparently things are never easy in my life, haha”, Van Barneveld started his analysis in front of Viaplay’s camera. “The first legs I really thought: Simon, stop for a while. He went like a rocket. But after 5-5 I dictated the game, of course I sometimes had an angel on my shoulder, but I also enforced that.”

Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode will be in action later tonight. Jermaine Wattimena and Michael van Gerwen will compete in the knockout phase tomorrow.