Danny Noppert and Justin Hood delivered the best match of this World Darts Championship over five sets and 29 legs. Both played an average of more than 100 points, checked a total of six high finishes and threw 19 180s. In the end, the extra leg had to decide.
It could have been a real quickie. Justin Hood was on the verge of a big upset in his second round match at the World Darts Championship. The world number 86 had won the first two sets against Danny Noppert, led 2-1 in the third round and had hit the triple-20 and triple-19 with 167 points remaining.
He still had an arrow in his hand. The bullseye would have meant victory – but the English World Cup debutant narrowly missed and had to survive a few anxious moments before the sensation was actually perfect. Hood ended up winning 3-2 sets after overtime. In the decisive round, both players took it to the extreme. With the score at 5:5, the sudden death leg had to decide. It was a breathtaking match.
The fact that it even got to this point was mainly due to Noppert, who, after Hood’s missed 167 in set three, checked 102 points, saved himself in the decider and won his first set in eleven darts. Both players were consistently above the 100 average mark and demonstrated not only world class but also the necessary timing.
Hood missed the 170 twice in a row
After the Dutchman had completed his throw-off set, the fifth round began. Noppert checked 126 points against the impending break to make it 0-2 and took 71 points for the break one leg later. Hood had previously narrowly missed 170.
The greatest possible finish was also available for the Englishman one leg later. And again there wasn’t much missing on the bullseye for checkout. Since Noppert missed the 128 finish with his first match dart, “Happy Feet” forced extra time to the delight of the enthusiastic 3,200 fans at Alexandra Palace.
Hood got his throw through and earned his second match dart at 3-2 with his sixth 180, but missed tops. Noppert, on the other hand, checked 157 points with his back to the wall. With the score at 4:3, the little Englishman had the next big finish in his hand, but missed the 134 checkout with his third match dart. Noppert equalized again.
Subscribe to WELTMeister Spotify, Apple Podcasts or directly via RSS-Feed.
Hood then made it 5:4 with a 156 – and started with five perfect darts in Noppert’s throwing leg. The Dutchman still kept his nerve and scored 127 points to make it 5:5. Both were now close to perfection.
Annoying that the rules dictated the end of the spectacle. Extra time at the World Cup ends in the eleventh leg of the fifth set, and it was Hood who was able to use his throw. He threw six of his eleven 180s in the fifth round and the last one paved the way for him to victory.
At the end of the head-to-head race, the Englishman was left with 78 points, while Noppert was left with 66 points. But Hood turned his fourth match dart into the greatest success of his career.
At the end he had an average of 103.01 points. Noppert, who accounted for four of the six high finishes, was just behind with 102.27. In total, the two opponents threw 19 180s. Two of Hood’s were also part of seven perfect darts.
“In the first round there were seven, now there were seven more,” recalled Hood and looked ahead: “In the next round I will do eight, and then there will be the nine-darter in the final.” The next opponent is his compatriot Ryan Meikle.
Darts World Cup 2026, results 2nd round
- John 2:3 (3:1, 3:2, 2:3, 1:3, 1:3)
- Daryl Gurney (NIR/22) – Callan Rydz (ENG) 2:3 nV (1:3, 3:0, 3:1, 0:3, 3:5)
- Jermaine Wattimena (NED/19) – Scott Williams (ENG) 3:2 (3:2, 3:2, 1:3, 0:3, 3:0)
- Peter Wright (SCO/30) – Arno Merk (D) 0:3 (0:3, 1:3, 1:3)
- Danny Noppert (NED/6) – Justin Hood (ENG) 2:3 nV(2:3, 1:3, 3:2, 3:1, 5:6)
- Gary Anderson (SCO/14) – Connor Scutt (ENG) 3:1 (1:3, 3:1, 3:1, 3:2)
- Michael van Gerwen (NED/3) – William O’Connor (IRL) 3:1 (3:2, 3:0, 1:3, 3:0)
- Josh Rock (NIR/11) – Joe Comito (AUS) 3:0 (3:1, 3:0, 3:1)
If Lutz Wöckener Not exactly trying out any sport on his own, he writes about darts and sports politics, but sometimes also something off-kilter like football.
