23:24
5 perfects from Smith
It gets loud in the Ally Pally as the Bully Boy throws five perfect darts. However, the sixth dart slips into 1. Nevertheless, he plays a safe leg, Razmatazz is still at 210 points when Smith checks 75 strongly with triple 17 and double 12 for an 11-darter!
23:19
1-0 Razma in set five
Razma comes out of the break better and is on top after twelve darts. Smith is still on 141 points. Razmatazz checks 40 safely with the second dart on double 10.
23:17
Herculean task for Razmatazz
The Bully Boy was able to win an extremely important fourth set before the last break of this game after being 0-2 behind and is therefore taking a big step towards the round of 16. Razmatazz missed two darts to win the set at 2:1 and is now faced with a Herculean task. Is there anything else for the Latvian?
11:15 p.m
Smith extends lead
Both are on the same level, Smith is the first player to reach the finish area, but still has 146 points to his name. Razma misses the big number and therefore doesn’t get a finish. 100 is enough for Smith to get to 46 points remaining. Razma waits for 78, but again the Bully Boy is there with the last dart in hand! After single 6 and single 20, the world champion hits double 10!
23:12
Razma awards two set darts
The Bully Boy can keep up with a 140, but Razma gets 160 points remaining with a 133. The Bully Boy takes on the Big Fish with a 136. Razmatazz throws a 100 and then it gets loud: Smith hits the first two darts into the triple 20 – but misses the bullseye. Razma misses two very important darts on tops, so Smith can go again and hit double 10 with the third dart in his hand after the single 5. The decider must make the decision in sentence four.
23:10
Smith comes again
Smith throws his fourth 180 and plays the leg from the front. Razma stands at 170 remaining, but Smith takes out 49 via single 9, single 20 and double 10 and reduces the score to 1:2.
23:09
Razma increased
This time the Latvian is able to pick up and is at 40 after twelve darts. Smith is on the big fish, but Razma takes Tops out with the first dart and leads 2-0!
23:07
Razma breaks at the start of set four
Razmatazz finds his way into scoring better again and then takes the 81 strong via single 15, triple 16 and double 9 for the early break. The Latvian keeps slowing down the game, triggering annoyed looks from the world champion.
23:06
Razma has to be demolished
There are still no fireworks here – quite the opposite. Razma only averages 78 points in the third set and offers no more resistance. Smith remains well below his potential, but is still leading now.
23:04
Smith turns the game around!
Confident leg from Smith to win the set. Razma faces 167, but Smith confidently scores 70 points via T10, S20 and D10. The world champion is now on track.
23:01
Third break in a row
A 134 puts Smith deep into the finishing zone. Razma can’t take out 144, but the Bully Boy misses two darts on double again after he hits triple 18 with the first dart with 86 remaining. But Razmatazz also makes a mistake and, after single 18, misses two darts on double for the 50 finish. Then Smith is there with the first dart on double 8 and leads 2:1 again.
22:58
Razma can equalize
The Bully Boy doesn’t score well and ends up with a bogey score. Meanwhile, Razma is on 56 points remaining, but misses two darts on double 18. Smith also misses a dart on tops and cannot check after S20, S20 80 points. Razmatazz converts the 18 points and checks over S10, S4 and D2 for a re-break!
22:53
Smith breaks straight away
Smith attacks Razma’s throw with 140, 140 and 134. The Latvian gets into the finish area, but still has 155 points remaining. The Bully Boy hits triple 17, but misses two darts on double 18 and double 9. Razma can’t check 155, so Smith faces double 4 and takes it out with the last dart in hand.
22:51
Good reaction from Smith
The world champion can raise his level a little and equalize the set. The decisive factor for this was the 110 finish on his own throw in the first leg and Razmatazz’s scoring weakness. The Bully Boy equalizes and after a short break the Latvian throws the ball.
22:49
Sentence compensation for the Bully Boy
The Bully Boy comes into the finishing area first and takes on the Big Fish. Razma’s transition goes well and he stays at 103 points. Smith can’t take out the 170 and stays at 70 points. Razma can’t find a triple to finish at 103 and then the Bully Boy strikes via S10, S20 and tops to equalize the set!
22:48
Smith back in front
Smith is slowly finding his scoring power and has 68 points remaining after twelve darts. He takes this out with a triple 16 and with the second dart on double 10. 2:1 Smith in the second set!
10:45 p.m
Bully Boy skips break
While Razma starts his throwing leg with 22 and 27, Smith builds up pressure directly with 140 and 100 and pulls away. The Latvian comes close to the finish area with a 140 when Smit misses the double 16 after single 16, single 16 for a 64 finish. Razma gets down to 48 points and Smith misses three fresh darts on doubles 16, 8 and 4. Razmatazz checks the 48 strongly via single 16 and double 16 and somehow secures this leg!
10:40 p.m
Smith’s next high finish makes it 1-0
After a short break, the players come back to the stage. Smith begins his casting set and after nine darts is on the big fish. Then he remains without a triple while Razma plays down to 73 points. The 110 points have to go and they can! The Bully Boy plays his next high finish in S20, T20 and D15.
22:38
Is there a surprise in store here?
Madars Razma starts solidly and secures an even first set. All five legs went to the person who started the leg. Both have an average of close to 90 points, while Michael Smith has already thrown two 180s. However, Razma has already achieved two perfect shots (171 and 174). The bully boy is under pressure early here.
22:36
Razma secures the first set
Razmatazz plays a strong decider and starts with 134 and 174. The Bully Boy cannot follow. Razma is at 97 remaining after nine darts and faces Tops Rest. Smith is still far from the finish area. With the second dart, the Latvian checks double 10 to win the set.
22:34
Decider thanks to the 130 finish
Razma is significantly faster in the finishing area and is at 167, while Bully Boy has no finish yet. The Latvian only throws 60 and can’t take out 107, but leaves himself with 8 points remaining. Then Smith comes and takes out 130 in world champion style across S20, T20 and Bullseye. Strong!
10:30 p.m
Razma holds his throw again
Both scored rather weakly until Razma left 66 points left with a 139. Smith puts pressure on him with 168 and has 8 points remaining. Razma, however, nerve-rackedly takes out 66 over single 10, single 20 and double 18 and celebrates this a little more extensively, for which he receives a strange look from the world champion.
22:29
Bully Boy equalizes
With Smith, the first dart in the initial phase often lands in the 5th. With his first 180, however, he plays himself down to 55 points and safely takes them out with a single 15 and tops. Razma was still on 170 points.
10:25 p.m
Razma takes the first leg
While loud chants of “Michael Smith” echo through the Ally Pally, Razmatazz starts the game with a 140. He followed that up with two 100 points before the world champion hit the first 180 on the board, but ended up with a bogey score. Both remain without a triple for the following inning. Razma can’t take out 103, Smith can’t get 110 points to 0. Razmatazz finally takes the 48 out on double 16 with the last dart in hand.
22:19
Game On
The defending champion is back on the Ally Pally stage! After Razma comes in with “Living On A Prayer,” Smith enters the scene for “Shut Up & Dance.” The third round duel is about to start. To win the match, a player must win four sets. Have fun!
22:09
Madar’s “Razmatazz” Razma
The 35-year-old Latvian is in round three of the PDC World Championship for the first time at his fifth attempt. He has already reached round two twice (2021, 2023), but failed 3-1 each time to Gary Anderson. After a solid year on the Pro Tour and European Tour, where he also qualified for the European Championships, Razmatazz ranked 32nd in the Order of Merit and is therefore seeded at the World Championships for the first time. The 3-1 win over Mike de Decker in the second round was enough for him to achieve his best World Cup result. Razma, who is known for playing extremely well on the triple 19, averaged 91.33 points. At the end of October in the first round of the European Championships he brought another darts superstar, Michael van Gerwen, to the brink of defeat: at 5:6, Razma averaged just under 105 points. A similar performance is needed to challenge Michael Smith today.
22:09
Michael “Bully Boy” Smith
After winning the World Cup last year, the Bully Boy remained below his potential throughout the year. Nevertheless, Smith was able to win the Bahrain Darts Masters, the German Darts Grand Prix and a Pro Tour title. Most recently, however, the 33-year-old did not make it past the group stage at the Grand Slam and lost to Richard Veenstra in round one at the Players Championship Finals. In his first match at this year’s World Championships, the Bully Boy was really challenged by Kevin Doets, who played really well. Smith held on and won 3-2 with a 100 average. He would certainly like to avoid this nervous game today.
22:08
World champion closes the evening
The evening session ends with the reigning world champion Michael Smith, who is being challenged by the Latvian Madars Razma and of course goes into the game as the heavy favorite. Kevin Doets brought the world number one into the deciding set in round two. Can Bully Boy make it clearer today?