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As the world is, there isn’t much we can rely on, but the world darts championship is still one of those things, an unstoppable fusion of drama, tension, humanity and joy. If you don’t love this, you don’t love anything.
And what an ending has brought us here, a clash of popularity, personality and philosophy. Gerwyn Price is a reformed rugby player and the next man – if he wins, he supplants Michael van Gerwen as world number 1 – and also the favorite, but only in the language of betting. A throbbing ball of animus and abs, he could start a fight with an empty head, throw each dart as if the board were cursing his mother, and antagonizing the crowd as if he were cursing his own. It is absolutely brilliant and we are very lucky to have it.
Gary Anderson, on the other hand, is one of the greatest and most graceful players of all time, a two-time world champion who will be catapulted into the ranks of the immortals with a victory tonight. He spent the first part of his working life installing fireplaces, but meeting at the pub for a dinner hour, he picked up a set of arrows and quickly downloaded 140, 180, 140. Easy.
In fact, it is not that easy. For years, Anderson epitomized highs for show, doubles for max mass, a dependable scorer but an unreliable finisher who can fall apart at the biggest moments. His critics assumed that he lacked the bottle and desire, but as often, the reality was the opposite; he lost his father and brother in quick succession, and once the rawness faded, the form flowed. It is true that he still hints at a relaxed approach to things, but he cares much more than what he lets on and pretending otherwise is his way of handling pressure.
On top of that, despite his reputation as an adorable self-deprecator with a cheeky grin, Anderson knows exactly how good he is and nurtures an extremely sensitive twatdar. But he believes in values beyond winning, which means he can get caught up in the kind of confrontational activity that Price, who doesn’t, specializes in: he only watches the 2018 Grand Slam final between the pair, what that gives us all the needle we can. to wish. For him, it is not a match, but a melee, and he will seek to interrupt Anderson’s rhythm and then use all the ensuing dislike to strengthen his own sense of rage and injustice.
This is going to be brilliant.
Game at: 7.30 pm GMT
