Several darts fans were quick to call out the Alexandra Palace crowd for what they did during Gian van Veen’s PDC World Darts Championship semi-final victory over Gary Anderson.
Van Veen, 23, defeated two-time world champion Anderson 6-3 in a thoroughly entertaining spectacle which saw both average just below 103, to set up a mouthwatering final with Luke Littler, who progressed to the showpiece with a 6-1 win over Ryan Searle.
The 23-year-old Dutchman previously described Anderson as his “idol” ahead of their clash on Friday (January 2), and he had to be at his best to overcome the veteran Scot.
Anderson won the first set with an average of 104 before Van Veen hit a 10-darter to start the second set, before an average of 113.35 helped him level the score at 1-1.
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The older of the pair started the third set with a 144 checkout, but Van Veen replied by hitting six perfect darts before landing an 11-darter.
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In the fifth set, Anderson hit a 10-darter and 170 checkout, racing into a two-leg advantage and within reach of making it 3-2 in sets, but Van Veen somehow made it 4-1 after a 170 checkout and averaged 111.46 while Anderson lost the fifth despite averaging 117.44.
But the match wasn’t done just yet as the two-time world champion clawed back the next two sets to make it 4-3. However, Van Veen secured the eighth set to make it 5-3 before a 13-darter secured a 6-3 victory and spot in the final.
"To be in the World Championship final is not even a dream coming true because I wasn't able to dream about this,” the Dutchman said after his triumph.
"Now it's happened, and I'm so happy."
And despite the high-level darts on display, some fans still whistled and booed throughout the contest, prompting others to criticise their actions on social media.
One said: “GVV is such a class act. It’s really poor - I’m all for a good atmosphere, but they shouldn’t be going after the young lad like that.”
Another added: “It's part and parcel of it now, unfortunately. I've followed darts for almost 20 years, and it's been the same since 2012ish. The players just need to learn to deal with it. GVV’s interview at the end showed his class when compared to Littler’s.”
A third claimed: “Classless. And ironically, they’ll all undoubtedly be cheering for him in the final. Morons.”
While a fourth commented: “Why pay money to watch the best at their craft perform to their best / show you why they’re the best and then whistling to put them off playing their best. The only slight irk I have with Darts. But everyone has their favourites and obviously wants them to win.”
Van Veen and Littler, who will play in his third consecutive final, will face off for the £1 million prize on Saturday evening (January 3).
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler
Luke Davies