Darts Goes Double Dutch

There will definitely be a Dutch Grand Slam Champion later on tonight as Raymond Van Barneveld takes on Michael Van Gerwen after both survived their semi-final match-ups.

Van Barneveld faced the fighter that is Andy Hamilton and the Hammer made a statement early on by taking a 3-0 lead. Even at that early stage, there were questions over whether Barney had perhaps tired himself out after his fantastic tournament so far. But the Dutchman answered the questions by going in at the first break 3-2 behind.
Hamilton once again started the second session much better and soon restored his three leg advantage over Barneveld. By the end of that second period, Barney had won the final leg to make it 6-4. That was the leg that kick started his game as he returned for the third session and smashed all five legs to turn the game around and lead 9-6.
A 107-checkout from the Dutchman made it eight straight legs, and he would clinch a ninth when Hamilton missed three darts to go 12-6 in front. By the end of the fourth session, Barneveld was 13-7 ahead. Barney was equally as relentless in the fifth session and instantly put himself within a leg of victory. It was at this moment you could see the Dutchman was really beginning to tire and Hamilton took advantage with a brilliant 124-checkout before ending the session with the score now 15-10. But the break rejuvenated Barneveld and he would win the game with a classy ton checkout.

It wasn't so much of a battle for Van Gerwen against Dean Winstanley and the young Dutchman performed exhibition darts before beginning to make a bit of a meal of things. Van Gerwen hit a 115-checkout in just the second leg and before anyone knew it, the pair were walking off stage without Winstanley winning a leg.
     The Englishman would win the opening leg of the second session but it was soon break time again as Van Gerwen had stormed into a 9-1 lead in style; the ninth leg saw him secure a 134-checkout before ending the session with a 96-checkout courtesy of double-18 and double-20.
The score soon read 10-1 before Winstanley was able to post three straight legs, but his momentum was cut short again as Van Gerwen ended the third session with a ton checkout to leave the stage 11-4 in front. Then there was more magic as the Dutchman produced his third 170-checkout in two games before leading 13-4. But then he began to slump and Winstanley rose up to take advantage. A 120-checkout and a 103-finish either side of the 19th leg saw Winstanley leave the stage only 13-7 behind after four sessions.
A 116-checkout saw Winstanley make it 14-8 but it was too little too late as Van Gerwen regained his form to take the next two legs and book his place against Van Barneveld for the battle to be Netherlands' finest.