Luke Littler and Gian van Veen have discovered who will throw first in the World Darts Championship final, with the traditional pre-match throw deciding the opening advantage on darts’ biggest stage.
Ahead of Saturday night’s blockbuster showdown at Alexandra Palace, the two finalists took part in the customary bull-up to determine who would begin the match. With the £1 million world title on the line, even the smallest psychological edge could prove significant.
The decisive moment saw [PLAYER NAME] land closer to the bull, earning the right to throw first in the opening set of the final.
While throwing first does not guarantee victory, it is often viewed as a valuable advantage in a World Championship final, allowing a player to immediately dictate tempo and settle into the match under intense pressure.
Littler enters the final bidding to become the first player since Gary Anderson to retain the world title, having produced a string of dominant performances throughout the tournament. The teenager has shown remarkable composure under the Ally Pally spotlight and remains the favourite to lift the trophy once again.
Van Veen, meanwhile, has enjoyed a sensational breakthrough run, defeating the likes of Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson to reach his first world final. The Dutchman has impressed with his fearless approach and heavy scoring, quickly establishing himself as a new fan favourite.
Both players played down the significance of the throw beforehand, insisting the final will be decided by performance rather than pre-match formalities.
With the stage set, the crowd primed and history on the line, all that remains is for the darts to do the talking — and whether throwing first proves decisive will soon be revealed.
