Event of the Day: PDC World Darts Championship Final

Our event of the day is the final of the PDC World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London. 16-time world champion, Englishman Phil Taylor, will battle his countryman Rob Cross for the biggest title in darts. Living legend of darts, Taylor beat talented Welshman Jamie Lewis 6-1 in the first semi-final to reach his 21st World Championship final and maintain his impressive record of never being defeated at the semi-final stage of the tournament. The second semi-final match was a real treat for the fans. After a dramatic and tense finish the winner was decided by a single game of sudden-death 501. In the end, debutant Cross upset the defending champion, Dutchman Michael van Gerwen, with a narrow 6-5 win. Veteran Taylor, 57, has the opportunity to end his magnificent career in style, as the big final on New Year’s Day will be his last match. He aims for his 17th trophy at the World Darts Championship, the first since 2013, while he was unbeatable from 1995 to 2002, when he won eight consecutive titles.

Rob Cross is preparing for another shocking result in his first season among the professionals. It has been a brilliant first season on the circuit so far – he won four events, reached the European Championship final and entered the top 32 in the players’ rankings. This duel will be his first, and last, with Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor; and it should be another memorable match at Alexandra Palace.

 

Honourable mentions around the globe go to the College Football clash between the Clemson Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. This is the second semi-final of the College Football Playoff as well as the Sugar Bowl. The winner will earn a spot at the CFP National Championship in Atlanta next week. The opponent will be decided in the first CFB semi-final between Oklahoma and Georgia in the Rose Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. In the Big Bash League, the Perth Scorchers host the Sydney Sixers at the WACA, while the Sydney Thunder welcome the Hobart Hurricanes to the Spotless Stadium in Sydney. Also in cricket, there’s the 2nd T20 game between New Zealand and West Indies at the Bay Oval in Tauranga. Pro14 Rugby brings the duel between Ulster and Munster at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. In the NBA, the Toronto Raptors meet the Milwaukee Bucks at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. It’s Day 2 at the Brisbane International ATP and WTA tournament at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson. In the Premier League, Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park in Liverpool.

 

Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!

 

Fixture

 

Photos by PDC