At AFAS Live, Dutch legend Van Barneveld thrilled his loyal fans with a dominant 6-0 victory over Sweden’s Johan Engstrom. The atmosphere was electric as Van Barneveld landed three 180s and limited Engstrom to just two double attempts. He expressed his gratitude for the support, stating, “The crowd are always backing me because in their mind, I’m a legend – but you still need to do it.”
Looking ahead to his upcoming clash with Littler, Van Barneveld acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying, “Playing for your home crowd is fantastic, but tomorrow you play a guy who can play like Phil Taylor! He’s fantastic – I’m really looking forward to it.” He emphasized the need to bring his A-game and capitalize on every opportunity against a formidable opponent.
On the other hand, Littler faced a tough battle in his match against Ross Smith. Despite holding a 5-3 lead, Littler had to endure two match darts before securing a dramatic 6-5 victory. The young sensation, praised for his impressive performances in Bahrain and Poland this year, displayed resilience and composure under pressure.
With the stage set for a showdown between Van Barneveld and Littler in the second round, darts enthusiasts are eager to witness a high-stakes rematch. Van Barneveld will be looking to avenge his World Championship loss to Littler in front of a sold-out crowd in Amsterdam. As the excitement builds, both players are focused on delivering their best performances to secure a coveted victory in this prestigious event.
