Luke Littler Survives Nathan Aspinall Thriller at the AFAS Live “I’m glad that the streak is still on, but it’s going to be very tough.”
Luke Littler Survives Nathan Aspinall Thriller at the AFAS Live “I’m glad that the streak is still on, but it’s going to be very tough.”
Luke Littler kept his bid for an unprecedented clean sweep alive with a sensational comeback victory over Nathan Aspinall at the World Series of Darts Finals, while Dutch duo Gian van Veen and Dirk van Duijvenbode booked their places in Finals Day in Amsterdam.
The 2024 champion produced a stunning fightback at AFAS Live on Saturday night, recovering from 5-3 down to edge out Aspinall in a dramatic deciding-leg thriller.
Aspinall looked poised to derail Littler’s latest title challenge after producing a typically relentless display to establish his early advantage.
The Stockport star then missed chances to move 6-3 and 7-5 ahead, but refused to buckle, finding a brilliant 78 combination to move within one leg of victory at 9-8.
Littler responded with ice-cold composure.
The World Champion fired in a 14-dart hold to level at 9-9 before producing a devastating 12-dart break in the deciding leg to complete one of the comebacks of the tournament.
“Nathan pushed me all the way tonight,” admitted Littler, who will face 2021 champion Jonny Clayton in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
“I didn’t feel confident in the first two sessions, but I managed to make it 6-6 and I was very good in the final session.
“When I came here two years ago, Ross Smith missed darts to beat me and then I went on to win the title, but I know it will be a good test against Jonny tomorrow.
“I’m glad that the streak is still on, but it’s going to be very tough.”
Clayton also survived a huge scare to reach the last eight, recovering from 6-4 down against Japanese trailblazer Motomu Sakai to seal his place in the quarter-finals for the fourth time in his career.
He will now face Littler in a blockbuster last-eight showdown.
There will also be an all-Dutch battle for a semi-final place, after Van Duijvenbode and Van Veen both delivered on home soil.
Van Duijvenbode produced one of the performances of the tournament to deny world number two Luke Humphries, recovering from 8-6 down to triumph in another deciding-leg classic.
The 2022 runner-up produced eight maximums and averaged more than 101 as he held his nerve in front of a partisan Amsterdam crowd.
And there was an emotional moment after the match as Van Duijvenbode was joined on stage by his young son Levi, who had watched his father produce a memorable comeback.
“Having my kid here is the best thing in my life,” said an emotional Van Duijvenbode.
“I won this game because he was here. When you are playing against the world number two you are always nervous.
“When I looked up at him he made so happy every time. It made me so relaxed. In the end that is the reason I won it.”
Van Veen will now stand in his way after the reigning European Champion also secured his place in Finals Day with a 10-7 victory over Karel Sedlacek.
Sedlacek produced an outstanding 103 average, but Van Veen was ruthless when opportunities arrived, producing spectacular 160 and 147 checkouts on his way to a 101.52 average.
“Karel played a phenomenal game today, but luckily I found a way to win,” said Van Veen.
“It was a really tricky game. At the back end I was scoring a little bit better on his throw, and that’s how I got the job done.
“I’m looking forward to playing Dirk because I’m playing him in the World Grand Prix, so it would be nice to get a taste of that game!”
Elsewhere, there will be another all-champion quarter-final as Gerwyn Price takes on James Wade in Amsterdam.
Price maintained his pursuit of a third World Series of Darts Finals title with a convincing victory over Canadian veteran Jim Long, averaging almost 98.
Wade, the 2018 champion, booked his place in the last eight by overcoming home favourite Wessel Nijman, producing a 101 average and converting 63 per cent of his attempts at double.
Earlier in the day, Josh Rock continued his bid to go one better than his semi-final appearance 12 months ago, defeating Ryan Searle 10-7.
Rock produced three ton-plus checkouts during an impressive performance and will now face Ross Smith for a place in the last four.
Smith completed the quarter-final line-up by producing a late surge to defeat Daryl Gurney.
The former European Champion averaged 100.30 and converted 63 per cent of his darts at double to complete an impressive all-round display against the Northern Irishman.
The 2026 World Series of Darts Finals now reaches its climax on Sunday.
The remaining eight players will return to AFAS Live for a bumper afternoon session, with the quarter-finals followed by the semi-finals and final during the decisive evening session.
With the £100,000 top prize still up for grabs, Littler, Van Veen, Van Duijvenbode, Price, Wade, Clayton, Rock and Smith will battle it out for World Series glory in Amsterdam.
Luke Littler Survives Nathan Aspinall Thriller at the AFAS Live
2026 World Series of Darts Finals
Saturday September 19
Afternoon Session
Round Two x4
Josh Rock 10-7 Ryan Searle
Ross Smith 10-5 Daryl Gurney
Gian van Veen 10-7 Karel Sedlacek
Dirk van Duijvenbode 10-9 Luke Humphries
Evening Session
Round Two x4
Jonny Clayton 10-8 Motomu Sakai
Gerwyn Price 10-5 Jim Long
James Wade 10-7 Wessel Nijman
Luke Littler 10-9 Nathan Aspinall
Sunday September 20
Afternoon Session (1300 CEST)
Quarter-Finals
Ross Smith v Josh Rock
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Gian van Veen
Gerwyn Price v James Wade
Luke Littler v Jonny Clayton
Best of 19 legs
Evening Session (1900 CEST)
Semi-Finals
Smith/Rock v Van Duijvenbode/Van Veen
Price/Wade v Littler/Clayton
Best of 21 legs
Final
v
Best of 21 legs
