- Raymond van Barneveld was defeated 4-1 by 16-year-old sensation Luke Littler
- The former world champion lost the first three sets of the draw in quick succession
- Littler quickly greeted Van Barneveld as a ‘real gentleman’ after his victory
Raymond van Barneveld admitted Luke Littler is not normal after his crushing defeat at the Darts World Cup on Saturday, describing the teenager as a ‘darts robot’.
The Dutch legend was defeated four sets to one after a stunning performance from the 16-year-old, who will continue to take the competition by storm as he progresses to the last eight.
Littler took the lead after winning the first three sets, before the Dutchman was finally able to get on the board by taking the fourth.
The 16-year-old averaged 105.01 in a thunderous performance to book his place in the quarter-finals, where he will meet Northern Ireland’s Kieran Dolan on New Year’s Day.
However, it was the end of the story for Van Barneveld, but the Dutchman was full of praise for his ‘superior’ that evening.
Five-time world darts champion Raymond van Barneveld was amazed by the 16-year-old
Luke Littler averaged 105.01 on the night he booked his place in the WDC last eight
“Hats off, respect,” Van Barneveld said to Viaplay after the match at Alexandra Palace.
‘It’s like throwing against a dart 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 at all. 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.’
