The World Darts Championship

The BDO version does seem flaky in any case. It's odd how most of the players that leave for the PDC seem to be good ones but not the champions. Kevin Painter, for instance, never seemed to do that well at the Lakeside. Is it cos Barney, Walton, David etc. seem to know they're onto a good thing? Do the Dutch audiences have something to do with it (only Dutch player I can think of that 'crossed over' is Scholten)?

You don't want Tony Green commentating on your life either. "A fridge, there. Keeping things cool, calm and collected."

Those who cannot see it on the telly - BBC is streaming the matches they show live on telly (i.e. the semis and the final) on the internet.

let go of the dart!

it's like the yips.

The whole Essers-Duke match was a right chore to watch, but I sat through it, which knackered me too much to stay awake during Komula-Hanvidge.

I wondered if he was going to announce his retirement on stage after he won on sunday, but he was talking about going to the gym to get fit for next year. he obviously had a change of heart.

It will be interesting to watch the battle now, and see if there's anyone to take his mantle.

Taylors odd, in darts terms I think he's an absolute genius (not a patch on how he was five or so years ago though, but as a person I ain't so sure, on Soccer AM he comes over as a bit of a tit.

back to the BDO, i've said it before and i'll say it again, bobby george is the funniest man in sport, "mervyn king was BANG AAAHT of order" for having the oche checked apparently. also he appears to be sporting a motorcycle chain around his neck this year...

Magnificent. Truly magnificent. The man has a greater sense of the absurdly comic than any number of half-arsed wise asses.

Last night - Steve Duke got my vote cos he looked nice and avuncular. Though Esses was hilarious; dartitis with the look of a slightly camp bouncer.

Mervyn King - the Gods of Dutch darts will make you pay for your gamesmanship against Rick Hofstra. Last year I said I was bored with Bobby George but he was on good form last night; good analysis of the problems with the laws of darts, nice punditry then classic about Ted hankiey, who according to the dazzler is 'a proper darts player'. Magic.

Taylor - didn't he get found guilty of some sexual assault a year or so back?

Paul Hogan (Eng) v Raymond van Barneveld (Ned, 1)
Robert Wagner (Nor) v John Walton (Eng, 8)
Andy Fordham (Eng) v Tony West (Eng, 5)
James Wade (Eng) v Darryl Fitton (Eng)
Stephen Bunting (Eng) v Ted Hankey (Eng, 2)
Gary Robson (Eng) v Tony O'Shea (Eng)
Steve Duke (Aus) v Ritchie Davies (Wal)
Jarkko Komula (Fin) v Mervyn King (Eng, 3)

Second half of the draw significantly easier to pick than the top half too - based on what I saw last night, King and Davies have no problems, and O'Shea and Hankey ought to get through too.

The top half is much more intriguing, Walton and Barney look probable, but as for the other two it's anyone's guess...

I scored 107 on Saturday.

phil taylor is upset when he scores 107, you see the difference :)

my hand listens not until it's far far too late.

Maybe I have alien hand syndrome.

- Wives and girlfriends of the players not able to watch, preferably being held tight by some other family member
- Foxy female Dutch fans
- Foxy female non-dutch fans
- Krazy and zany male Dutch fans
- Non wanky student high jinks - ie genuine darts fans getting into the Lakeside groove
- Lots of pints of lager being carried on trays with baskets of chips

Things I do not want:

- Aaron Monk (thank you Mr Hankey, the Lakeside poo)
- Talking by anyone in audience except female Dutch fans admitting how they go krazy for English guys who like their darts, yeah for sure, and especially those not actually at the Lakeside OK.
- Stubbsy and the dazzler leaning over a snooker table. NO!!!. April is the Snooker month. Tchoh!
- Aaron Monk

I was quite sad to see "The Matchstick" lose.

Wagner's match tonight against should be very good too.

Also - Stevem = Les 'McDanger' wallace:

haha i liked the sympathetic patronising of bobby george re: the merv the swerv situation ('merv's bang aht of order, lad's just a young boy, just in the country, 'is english ain't too good...'); how's yr dutch, bobby?

The Dazzler for BDO Commissioner in WWF Stylee.

don't spoil the result!

yesterday I caught a bit of the highlights. Godd to see the fans giving mervyn king a hard time.

I can't get into theis tournament at all though, not like the PDC one.

Paul Hogan (Eng) 1-3 Raymond van Barneveld (Ned, 1)
Robert Wagner (Nor) 1-3 John Walton (Eng, 8)
Andy Fordham (Eng) 3-0 Tony West (Eng, 5)
James Wade (Eng) 0-3 Darryl Fitton (Eng)

Barney looked like he was starting to hit stride against Hogan, and is probably favourite - he should certainly get past Walton, who can't hit doubles for love nor money at present.

However, Fordham and particularly Fitton looked to be in top form last night too - their match on Thursday looks like being the match of the tournament thus far.

Barney had double trouble too last night - not as bad as Walton, mind. I'm still thinking you're going to have to beat Barney to win (ie, the winner is going to be Barney or the person who beats him)

I want O'Shea to do well cos he looks like one of the characters from Tintin.