Australia 5 – 1 Netherlands
Australia powered their way through to the World Cup final with an impressive victory in Hamburg.
Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson produced another stunning performance in the pairs to eliminate defending champions Holland.
- Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
SIMON WHITLOCK 4 – 3 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
Simon Whitlock continued his strong run of form in Hamburg as he beat Vincent van der Voort in the first singles match of the semi-final.
The world number five edged out his opponent in a last leg decider to give Australia an early lead in the match.
Both players missed doubles in the first leg before van der Voort held his throw. Whitlock hit double top at the first attempt in leg two to go level, and he took the lead by hitting double eight to win the third leg.
‘The Wizard’ hit his first maximum in the next leg before checking out 64 to edge closer to victory. Van der Voort fired in a 180 on his way to reducing the deficit to a single leg, and a 174 helped ‘The Dutch Destroyer’ force a decider.
Whitlock triumphed by taking out 60 to get a point on the board for Australia.
PAUL NICHOLSON 0 – 4 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
Raymond van Barneveld claimed a comfortable win over Paul Nicholson to pull Holland level in the match.
- Photo: Lawrence Lustig/PDC
Van Barneveld continued his unbeaten record against ‘The Asset’ as he beat his opponent in straight legs.
‘Barney’ hit double top to take the first leg before checking out 62 to double his lead. The Dutchman hit double 16 to move within a leg of winning the game.
The five-time world champion finished the job in style by producing a sensational 148 checkout to complete the whitewash.
SIMON WHITLOCK 4 – 2 RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD
Simon Whitlock maintained his perfect record in singles matches by inflicting Raymond van Barneveld’s first defeat.
The Australian raced three legs in front of his opponent before holding off a mini fight-back to seal his second win of the semi-final.
Van Barneveld started the game in style with a 180 but Whitlock fought back and hit double nine to snatch the leg. ‘The Wizard’ hit double ten to win the second leg.
Whitlock hit a 180 and followed it up by checking out 44 to go three legs in front. ‘Barney’ hit double 13 to pull a leg back, before getting himself right back in the game with a brilliant 87 checkout on the bull.
Whitlock just missed the bull for a 124 checkout but cleaned up the 25 to win the match and put Australia back in the overall lead.
PAUL NICHOLSON 4 – 2 VINCENT VAN DER VOORT
Paul Nicholson recovered from his earlier defeat by producing a fantastic performance to beat Vincent van der Voort.
Nicholson showed his class, posting a couple of fabulous legs to beat the Dutchman 4-2.
Van der Voort won the first leg before Nicholson hit double top to grab his first leg of the session. ‘The Asset’ hit double eight to take the lead but ‘The Dutch Destroyer’ pegged him straight back by hitting double sixteen.
Nicholson then posted a solid leg, with back to back 140’s followed by a ton, before setting up and hitting double 16. The Australian then secured victory with a brilliant eleven dart leg.
Nicholson’s victory gave his team a 3-1 advantage going into the decisive doubles game, which was worth 2 points.
WHITLOCK & NICHOLSON 4 – 0 VAN BARNEVELD & VAN DER VOORT
Australia took charge when Whitlock hit double ten to take the opening leg. Nicholson found the same bed to double the lead, before his teammate produced a stunning 105 finish to move within a leg of the final.
‘The Wizard’ then took out 110 to finish the job in style and secure the first spot in tonight’s final.
Australia will play either Wales or England for the World Cup title.
By Chris Murphy