16:27
Jim “The Quiff” Williams
The Welshman achieved some good results on the Pro Tour, including the final of the Players Championship 30, which he lost 4:8 to Dave Chisnall. Thanks to solid performances throughout the year, he also qualified for the Players Championship Finals, where he was defeated by Dimitri van den Bergh in round 1. With two 3-0 wins over Norman Madhoo and number four seed Peter Wright, Williams is in the third round of the World Cup for the second time in his PDC career. Last year there was a bitter 3:4 defeat against Gabriel Clemens. That should work better this year, but the 39-year-old was hardly challenged in the first two rounds, Madhoo only managed 73 points and Wright averaged 83 points.
16:27
Raymond “Barney” van Barneveld
Barney has been waiting for a place in the round of 16 at the World Cup since 2018, and it should finally work again against Jim Williams. Last year there was a clear defeat against Gerwyn Price (0:4) in the third round. Barney had an unremarkable year on tour and was unable to reach the round of 16 at any major tournaments. At least he qualified for the Players Championship Finals, but lost to Chris Dobey in the first round. In his second round match, Barney gave Poland’s Szaganski no chance, scratched the 100 point average and put in a strong performance. It will also be needed against Williams.
16:26
Barney wraps up the afternoon session
At the end of this afternoon session, Peter Wright’s conqueror, Jim Williams, meets darts legend Raymond van Barneveld. The darts world is already looking forward to a generational duel between shooting star Luke Littler and Barney, but he has to beat Williams first.