- Raymond van Barneveld was beaten 4-1 by 16-year-old sensation Luke Littler
- The former world champion lost the first three sets of the tie in quick succession
- Littler was quick to hail Van Barneveld as a ‘true gentleman’ following his victory
Raymond van Barneveld admitted that Luke Littler is not normal after his crushing defeat at the World Darts Championship on Saturday, describing the teenager as a ‘darts robot’.
The Dutch legend was beaten by four sets to one after a stunning showing from the 16-year-old, who will continue to take the competition by storm as he moves on to the last-eight.
Littler powered into the lead after taking the first three sets on the bounce, before the Dutchman could finally get on the board by snatching the fourth.
The 16-year-old threw an average of 105.01 in a thunderous display, booking his spot in the quarter-finals where he will face Northern Ireland’s Kieran Dolan on New Years Day.
For Van Barneveld, though, it was the end of the road, but the Dutchman was full of praise for his ‘superior’ on the night.
Five-time World Darts Champion Raymond van Barneveld was left stunned by the 16-year-old
Luke Littler averaged 105.01 on the night that he booked his place in the WDC last-eight
‘Hats off, respect,’ Van Barneveld told Viaplay after the match at Alexandra Palace.
‘It looks like you’re throwing against a darts robot. There was no honor to be gained from this at all. I haven’t thrown that bad at all, but this is not normal.
‘Who’s going to stop him? That doesn’t interest me one bit. This is a hard blow for me, it’s over for me.
‘Tonight I have to recognize my superior in this young lad and I wish him the best of luck.’
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