Players Championship Finals & World Youth Championship final
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | November 28, 2015
Finals day
- Players Championship Finals
- Sunday, November 29th
- Quarters begin: 12:45-17:00 GMT
- Semis and final from: 19:00-23:00 GMT
- Butlins, Minehead, Somerset
- Live on ITV4
Quarter-finals preview
In the penultimate major darting TV event of the year, before the PDC World Championship over the festive period, the Players Championship Finals reaches its last day with the quarter-finals up first.
RESULTS: Here is the full list of results from day two of the @cash_converters Players Championship Finals. #CCPC15 pic.twitter.com/sarD3UFSoI
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 28, 2015
So, Coral preview the last eight of the tournament in Minehead, which has seen some incredible upsets, as well as the World Youth Championship final, which takes place in-between the semis and final later in the evening…
Mesur Suljovic v Ian White
Diamond has already edged one ever-improving star in Gerwyn Price, following his first round win over Raymond van Barneveld, and now faces another in late bloomer Suljovic, who is having the best year of his career.
The Austrian (even-money shout) can be so frustrating to play against, as Michael Smith found out in the last 16 due to his incredibly patient approach to the board, but has lost two of his three meetings with White.
WINNER! @IanDiamondWhite wins 10-9. You can see what it meant to him! #CCPC15 https://t.co/wKSUsoWf7i
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 28, 2015
Their most recent duel was at a Players Championship Pro Tour event in October, also in the latter stages, which Diamond (4/5 favourite) eventually won 6-5. This could nearly go all the way once more, and the man from Stoke is a more tasty 7/1 to triumph 10-8.
Adrian Lewis v Simon Whitlock
When Whitlock went 3-0 and then 5-2 down to Peter Wright, it is fair to say that most were thinking there was no way back for him, after his declining form the last couple of years.
However, The Wizard incredibly dug in, in true Aussie style, after breaking at crucial times and to eventually take the deciding leg after a number of misses by both on doubles to spark tears of joy and relief. It is his first major quarter-final appearance since the 2014 World Matchplay.
"It means the world to me" – a tearful and emotional @swhitlock180 after a deciding leg thriller in Minehead
https://t.co/0tKCQ28yD8
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 28, 2015
Next for Whitlock awaits Lewis, a player he has a close losing 11-12 record against. Last year’s runner-up Jackpot is the obvious odds-on 1/3 favourite due to his consistency on tour, but if you fancy another shock then take tempting odds of 9/4 for The Wizard of Aus to match his semi-final achievement here in 2012.
Michael van Gerwen v Dave Chisnall
Undoubtedly the biggest battle of the quarters in terms of quality and world rankings, but Van Gerwen (2/9) will not be pleased he has to face Chisnall (10/3), who has won two of their last three head-to-heads, so early.
Mighty Mike, though, is in absolutely devastating form, having picked up five major titles, as well as the most recent inaugural World Series of Darts Finals trophy, already this year.
Michael van Gerwen so close to the NINE-DARTER #CCPC15 https://t.co/gXUHv6r0G6
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 28, 2015
The Dutch giant most recently tussled with Chizzy at the European Championship, also in the quarters, and beat him 10-4 that day, so take odds of 13/2 for him to inflict that same scoreline on the maximums specialist again.
Daryl Gurney v Benito van de Pas
Young Dutchman Van de Pas (8/13 odds-on favourite) and Northern Ireland’s Gurney (13/10) had never reached a televised premier tournament quarter-final before this event.
Yet here they both are facing off for a place in the semis after convincingly shocking multiple major winners James Wade and defending champion Gary Anderson respectively.
"I can average 110" – how far can a confident @darylgurney180 go this weekend?
https://t.co/d0qLLa8TOy
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) November 28, 2015
To prove it was no fluke, they also defeated established stars Stephen Bunting and Kim Huybrechts in the first round. The duo have faced each other twice, winning one apiece in close encounters, so back Big Ben at 15/2 to edge it 10-9.
PDC World Youth Championship
- World Youth Championship final
- Sunday, November 29th
- Final begins: 21:25 GMT
- Butlins, Minehead, Somerset
- Live on ITV4
Max Hopp v Nathan Aspinall
In this best-of-11 legs showdown, two of the darting world’s hottest prospects go head-to-head after seeing off all they’ve come up against in this competition over the last couple of months.
While this duo have never faced each other, lesser-known Aspinall (6/4 chance) did do exciting teenager Hopp a huge favour by knocking out Josh Payne in the semis, as the German has lost all six clashes with the latter.
World number 45 Maximiser is the firm 8/15 odds-on favourite to win, though, having had by far the most experience, and this battle on the big stage will be nothing new to him.
So, back Hopp to follow in the footsteps of the likes of former winners of this prestigious youth event, Keegan Brown and Michael Smith, for a 6-2 victory at 6/1.
Current top talent have certainly profited from the competition, with Van Gerwen being a two-time finalist, while last year’s winner and runner-up respectively Brown and Rowby-John Rodriguez battled it out in the first round. The latter gained revenge this time.
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Coral’s top tip: An emotional Whitlock knocked out close friend Wright in the second round, so back him to continue his run to beat Lewis at 9/4.
