Our leg-by-leg report from the Betfred World Matchplay final, where Dimitri Van den Bergh hit a 170 checkout during an 18-10 victory over Gary Anderson.
Dimitri van den Bergh has done it! The Belgian superstar, who was 200/1 at the start of the tournament, realises his debut dreams at the World Matchplay to win his first ever senior PDC title in his maiden major final.
It's a history making feat from the fittingly nicknamed DreamMaker, who is the first debutant to lift the trophy since the tournament was first staged in 1994 and just the 10th different player to get his hands on it.
Van den Bergh put a struggling Gary Anderson to the sword with an average of 98 despite only hitting three of the four 180s in the match while his stunning checkouts of 170, 132, 124 and 121 at key moments underpinned a career-changing week for him at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes.
Dimitri Van den Bergh becomes the first player to win the World Matchplay on debut since everyone was a debutant in 1994!
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 26, 2020
He was just one month old back then. Superb achievement and many more to come! Here's that 170 checkoutpic.twitter.com/Ylu03ORATL
The crowning glory for Dimitri Van den Bergh as he lifts high the Phil Taylor trophy...
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
A dream come true for 'The Dreammaker' as he is crowned the 2020 Betfred World Matchplay Champion! pic.twitter.com/DX4WWswQVa
Van den Bergh on his achievement and the hospitality of Peter Wright during lockdown, which has been instrumental in taking the next step on the the major stage: "My dreams have come true, what a beautiful trophy, I’m so happy. I have so much respect for Gary, to beat him is showing me how far I have come and now I know I can win, I can’t believe this."
"The world is going through a very difficult time and the PDC, Barry Hearn and Matthew Porter have given me a chance to live my dreams when it hasn’t been possible for other, so thank you to them.
"I spent a lot of time with Peter Wright over the lockdown and he has taught me so much, I’m so grateful to him and his family for everything they did for me during a difficult time."
"I am making my dreams come true. It is happening." 😍
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) July 26, 2020
Dimitri Van den Bergh can barely believe what he has achieved!
This interview is what sport is all about 👏 pic.twitter.com/KxgpO9BPnp
Runner-up Gary Anderson is understandably disappointed but sporting in defeat: "He played well right from the off, I just wasn’t there tonight. All credit to Dimitri, he is a lovely lad and deserves his win tonight. I’ve got a few weeks off now to sort a few things out, I had a few issues with my grip and darts dropping low but no excuses, he deserves it."
"I wasn't even close to the game. I was lucky I got a few legs off him to be honest."
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) July 26, 2020
It wasn't to be for Gary Anderson tonight, but 'The Flying Scotsman' is full of class in defeat 👏 pic.twitter.com/doY3L5uYBM
Averages
180s
Doubles
100+ Checkouts
🏆🎯 Dimitri van den Bergh wins the World Matchplay on his debut!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2020
🙌 The two-time World Youth champion was 200/1 before the tournament began but has now won his first senior PDC title in his maiden major final.
🤩 Plenty more to come!pic.twitter.com/YhNOWlHdJn
FIFTH INTERVAL: Anderson 9-16 Van den Bergh
Sky Bet latest odds: Dimitri Van den Bergh is 1/66 to finish the job, with Anderson way out at 14/1. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
180s
Doubles
100+ Checkouts
TWO AWAY!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
Dimitri Van den Bergh moves two legs away from his first ever World Matchplay title!
He leads Gary Anderson 16-9... #WM2020 pic.twitter.com/0s6RpWKQwi
Sauce 🌶🔥
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
Dimitri Van den Bergh sinks a stunning 132 checkout, his fourth ton-plus, to lead 14-8!
Some performance on the doubles, this!#WM2020 pic.twitter.com/OyjwETRldi
STUNNER FROM VAN DEN BERGH!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
A 124 checkout on the bull to hold his throw and lead 13-8... He moves one leg closer to the title #WM2020 pic.twitter.com/zdwjx2wFRn
FOURTH INTERVAL: Anderson 8-12 Van den Bergh
Sky Bet latest odds: Dimitri Van den Bergh is now hot favourite at 1/4 after dominating that session while Anderson is 11/4. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
180s
Doubles
100+ Checkouts
It's brilliant from Van den Bergh as he extends his lead to three at 7-10. #WM2020 pic.twitter.com/L8xofWtGNl
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
THIRD INTERVAL: Anderson 7-8 Van den Bergh
Sky Bet latest odds: Gary Anderson is clinging onto favourtism at 6/5 while Dimitri Van den Bergh is 6/5. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
180s
Doubles
100+ Checkouts
Dimi leads again at the interval!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
Anderson wires the bull for the lead and the Belgian lands D10 to lead 8-7 going into the third interval!#WM2020 pic.twitter.com/tGs60e21dd
🎣😲 Imagine hitting a 170 checkout in your first major final!
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2020
🙌 Dimitri Van den Bergh knows how it feels now...pic.twitter.com/8KsJT3YAZP
You can't miss those chances against Gary Anderson...
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
A 130 checkout from the 2018 champion to pounce on a mistake from Van den Bergh and lead 6-5. #WM2020 pic.twitter.com/qChqRnRYKa
SECOND INTERVAL: Anderson 5-5 Van den Bergh
Sky Bet latest odds: Gary Anderson is 1/2 for glory while Dimitri Van den Bergh has drifted slightly to 6/4. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
180s
Doubles
Highest Checkouts
👌 The first moment of sparkling darts from the World Matchplay final.pic.twitter.com/XMIsWKqkO3
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 26, 2020
FIRST INTERVAL: Anderson 2-3 Van den Bergh
Sky Bet latest odds: Gary Anderson remains favourite at 4/7 while Dimitri Van den Bergh's odds have been shaved slightly to 5/4. Still a long way to go. Click here now for all the Sky Bet live darts markets including most 180s & highest checkout.
Averages
180s
Doubles
Highest Checkouts
Dimitri Van den Bergh leads at the first interval!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
A break of throw followed by a hold on D6 to lead 3-2, but he does't look happy with himself!#WM2020 pic.twitter.com/aFdrVZEh4Y
BREAK!
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
Anderson gets the first break of throw in this one with a neat 80 checkout to lead 2-1. #WM2020 pic.twitter.com/J56ur34QNd
Anderson levels things up as we have two holds of throw to kick things off. #WM2020 pic.twitter.com/1bmQ6DCUqu
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 26, 2020
2040: The players are now both out on the stage so let's get this final under way!
2035: First blood to the youngster as Dimitri van den Bergh wins the bull and will throw first very shortly.
2015: The action takes place in about 20 minutes so I'll give you time to digest everything below and grab a long drink while we wait for the walk-ons.
Gary Anderson v Dimitri van den Bergh. Who do you want to win and think will win the World Matchplay?
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 25, 2020
2010: So where should the money be going? As you'll probably by now, some bookies had priced Van den Bergh up at 200/1 before a dart was thrown and we're all kicking ourselves about that now unless you had outstanding foresight. In hindsight it all makes sense. He already had a good track record in majors having reached four major quarter-final runs, including the the most recent World Championship and UK Open, and the televised World Series final in Germany that we mentioned earlier. Put that together with the fact he spent three months of lockdown in Peter Wright's house then no wonder he's taken his potential to the next level. As much as I admire Anderson and obviously know what he's capable of, I am favouring a minor upset.
I go into more detail in my separate betting preview for the final, but if you haven't got time to read that now (click here if you do and scroll near the bottom), here are my tips which you can back with Sky Bet.
2005: Putting all those stats together from their routes to the final further down, here are their overall tournament stats. As you can see for yourself, Van den Bergh holds the statistical advantage and I think it goes without saying that he's been far happier with his performances than the Flying Scotsman. Will the trend continue tonight or will experience of major finals make these numbers largely irrelevant?
GARY ANDERSON
DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH
2000: Now here's Dimitri's route to the final...
The Belgian's dream-making run began with a stunning first-ever win over Nathan Aspinall - which included a sublime 156 checkout that even got his opponent applauding - before showing real character to fight back from 8-5 down to defeat Joe Cullen 11-9 in a real thriller and then producing a wonderful display of front-running to keep Adrian Lewis at bay.
An array of stunning 100+ checkouts at key moments underpinned those victories but there were none of those against Glen Durrant in a gruelling showdown which looked like it was going Duzza's way after he used his trademark mental strength to edge ahead at 14-13 and 15-14 having earlier been 12-8 down. However Van den Bergh's classy late burst saw him edge it 17-15.
Love the sportsmanship from Nathan Aspinall here. As fierce a competitor as anyone, but this doesn't stop him having maximum respect for his opponents. pic.twitter.com/nYeVI5W9Gj
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 21, 2020
1955: Now time to run through their respective routes to the final, starting with Anderson...
Considering Gary Anderson won the only other behind-closed-doors major at the Storm Emma-affected UK Open two years ago, you'd have thought he may have adapted a little quicker than he claimed. Admittedly, the piped-in crowd and the glitzy presentation would have made the overall atmosphere unique while Justin Pipe and James Wade were hardly ideal opponents to get him going. After labouring through both, he raised his levels to beat a confident Simon Whitlock and his average would have been far better if he wasn't so flaky on his doubles. He improved on those against Michael Smith but overall he wasn't happy with his 98 average or how he let his former apprentice back into the match from a 14-9 lead. "I can’t throw me darts right, it’s driving me bonkers. I can’t throw a dart, I can’t let go. I’m chilled out but I’m expecting to do what I was doing two, three, four, five years ago and it’s getting to me now."
😲🎯 A thrilling World Matchplay semi-final developing between Gary Anderson and Michael Smith.
— Sporting Life (@SportingLife) July 25, 2020
🚂 The Flying Scotsman's 8-3 lead was wiped out at 9-9 but a stylish 128 checkout has his nose back in front!pic.twitter.com/19sGk7qEzE
1950: In terms of the current ranking situation, this final is highly significant. Eighth-placed Anderson headed to Milton Keynes under the pressure of defending £115,000 of Order of Merit prize money that he won two years ago. If he wins the £150,000 top prize tonight he'll move up to seventh on £470,750. As for Van den Bergh, the runners-up cheque of £70,000 will see him saw up to a career changing high of 16th on £256,250, but victory will take him even higher to 12th on £336,250. And, of course, he'd almost certainly be in next year's Premier League line-up.
1945: Right, let's now take a look at all their head-to-head meetings...which is a grand total of two. Their most recent was during the PDC Home Tour, with Van den Bergh being thrashed 5-1 from Peter Wright's house by eventual overall runner-up Anderson but the first was in front of a record-breaking 20,000-strong crowd at the Veltins Arena, which was transformed into a "Darts Music Arena" for the 2018 German Darts Masters.
Having just thrashed Michael van Gerwen 8-3 in the quarter-finals to show us one of his earlier signs of rich potential, he again showed zero sign of stage fright by beating the Flying Scotsman 8-7 with the help of a stunning checkout in the 14th leg. He lost the final to Mensur Suljovic but hopefully we'll have more of this standard tonight...
Dimitri van den Bergh has played Gary Anderson twice. Most recently in the Home Tour but the 1st was in front of 20,000 fans in a World Series SF in Germany.
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 26, 2020
Anderson left double 4 to win the match, then VDB did this to level it up before winning 8-7.pic.twitter.com/xfhXXlzwLR
1930: Just in case Dimitri Van den Bergh fans don't mistakenly think this is a Gary Anderson blog, here's a clip I shared on social media the other day of him showing me his exhibition trick shots. Pretty impressive stuff I'm sure you'll agree and one you can practice without fears of damaging your walls. Just make sure you've got shoes on and that no kids are around.
Dimitri van den Bergh is a class act. Great fun at exhibitions and now into his first major semi-final. @VandenBerghDimi pic.twitter.com/Vwpw1oXg69
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 24, 2020
1920: Seeing as I posted that 2018 nine-darter a bit lower down, we may as well reminisce how he went on to beat Mensur Suljovic in an unforgettable final and complete a career Triple Crown. Only Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen have achieved that feat - which also includes the world title and Premier League - but of all his successes, many darts fans will rank this as his ultimate highlight. In the longest World Matchplay final ever, he eventually won through 21-19 with an incredible average of 101.41 compared to Suljovic's even better 104.43, while the pair both plundered 14 maximums apiece. Click here to scan over my live blog from that night which includes lots of memorable clips such as when his attempt to win the match with a bullseye at 19-18 up bounced out of it!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT | Gary Anderson hit and the bullseye to win it....but it bounces out!!! 😱😱😱#BVDarts #LoveTheDarts pic.twitter.com/Zd4TjiAdCo
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) July 29, 2018
1905: I'll share this poll again for the late comers closer to the walk-ons but what is your initial thoughts for tonight's final? Personally I think either winner would be great for the sport, with Gary Anderson flying the flag for the golden oldies and Van den Bergh representing the future. Defeat wouldn't be damaging for the Flying Scotsman's legacy or the DreamMaker's prospects, so whatever happens, there's plenty of positives to cherish. I would utter the phrase 'darts is the winner' but let's just wait and see how the final plays out before we reel out cliches like that!
Gary Anderson v Dimitri van den Bergh. Who do you want to win and think will win the World Matchplay?
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) July 25, 2020
1850: Interesting feel-good fact. Exactly two years ago Gary Anderson hit 'that' Winter Gardens nine-darter in his incredible quarter-final with Joe Cullen, who also fired in a 170 checkout and missed match darts - one of which due to a fly! I was fortunate enough to be present that night...but heartbreakingly missed the magic moment due to interviewing Jeffrey de Zwaan, who'd won the previous match!
It was the tournament's seventh perfect leg ever after Phil Taylor (2002 & 2014), Raymond van Barneveld (2010), John Part (2011), Wes Newton (2012) and Michael van Gerwen (2012). Anderson obviously went on to win before going onto lift the trophy for the first time.
Gary Anderson may have missed out on the world title but the people’s champ still produced the moment of 2018pic.twitter.com/TReY0EGQBe
— Chris Hammer (@ChrisHammer180) December 31, 2018
1840: Just to highlight how both players are at the opposite ends of their careers, here's their respective list of honours in the PDC ranks. You have to wonder whether reputation and experience has been given too much weight as far as the pre-match odds are concerned, rather than how they've both been playing this week. But we'll get into those stats a little later.
GARY ANDERSON
DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH
If you're interested to know what I wrote about both players before the event unfolded in my extensive player-by-player profile article then click here, but I sadly didn't say either would win it!
1830: Good evening and welcome to our live blog for the climax of this year's World Matchplay, as one of the greatest darts players of all time bids to add another major title to his glittering collection against one of the sport's brightest stars, who is chasing what could well up being the first of plenty.
Although the tournament may not have been blessed by the usual magical atmosphere of its spiritual Winter Gardens home in Blackpool, tonight's final almost 200 miles away at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes will hopefully be a fitting way to conclude a week packed with storylines, shocks, controversy and high-quality drama.
Before a dart was thrown, many people expected at least one of Michael van Gerwen, Peter Wright or Gerwyn Price to be vying for tonight's top prize of £150,000, but the 'big three' were all eliminated before the quarter-finals.
This blew the draw wide open and of the remaining eight left at that stage, six are now back home probably kicking themselves that they were unable to max out on the golden opportunity to win the sport's second most coveted title.
Instead, Gary Anderson will join Phil Taylor, Rod Harrington and Michael van Gerwen in an elite group of four players to lift this prestigious trophy more than once should he claim his ninth PDC major crown, while Dimitri Van den Bergh should fancy his chances of becoming the first debutant to prevail since everybody was a debutant in 1994!
Larry Butler beat Dennis Priestley that year just a month after the future two-time World Youth champion was born, and if you ignore those two inaugural finalists then Van den Bergh is just the fourth player to get this far on their debut following on from Ronnie Baxter (1998), Wayne Mardle (2003) and James Wade (2006).
The 26-year-old is also the seventh unseeded player to reach the final along with Butler (1994), Peter Evison (1996), Baxter (1998), Richie Burnett (2001), Mark Dudbridge (2004) and Wade (2006). Will more history be made tonight?
Over the course of the next couple of hours before the first dart, I'll be dropping in some tournament stats, facts, routes to the final, head-to-head records, player profiles and some tips but in the meantime here are a list of previous World Matchplay finals.
* Click on the underlined finals for reports. Sadly the current Sporting Life website doesn't have archived versions of the finals before that.
World Matchplay Most Titles
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