It was a great performance by Noppert that he reached the final. He quickly faced a 0-3 deficit against the also 31-year-old Smith. Still, the Dutchman was not fooled. He broke back, but had to allow Bully Boy to take his leg again in his own leg.
However, what the losing World Cup finalist showed in the final on Sunday evening was anything but constant. He continuously let the Dutchman come back into the game and the break flew back and forth: 5-5.
Smith was clearly not in the game and frustration built with the number five of the Order of Merit. The Freeze didn’t throw a great game either, but took advantage of Smith’s staggering and even made a break: 7-6.
Noppert was unable to enjoy the lead for long, the Englishman immediately broke back and from then on it went straight again. With a score of 10-9 in favor of Smith, the Englishman got a match dart, but he missed. A decisive leg ultimately had to determine the winner and Noppert pulled the longest straw in this.
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