Day 2: Evening session Champions League of Darts 2016

17 the tops and 31. This is an opportunity.

Triple 20. Unlucky again on the tops. Three times in a row. James

Wade has missed double top. Two 10s for Taylor.

James will feel a bit of pressure now. You don't want to go two breaks

a throw down. Here we go with the Icelandic fan

club. We saw Phil Taylor joining in at the world final this year.

Great 140 from Phil Taylor, James Andrew bit of pressure now. He won

the trouble with this one, you really does. So essentially, Phil

Taylor has nicked the darts. James will be a bit concerned,

finding the triple 20 with regularity in his game this

afternoon. He is not settled at the moment.

He will be back with 101 with a 4-1 lead, Phil Taylor. James under a bit

of pressure. Really needs this. In the context of

the match, you feel already he has to take this out. Treble 7 for

double 16. No. No, no, no. Treble 14 with the last dart but it is the red

bit at the top of the board for Phil Taylor. Ten now for Phil Taylor.

Another break of throw. When he's on the shots like the 84, 86, he always

hits the big numbers. Visibly frustrated, James Wade. The Machine

just malfunctioning. Phil Taylor to be fair is not

playing anything like as well as he played last night or this afternoon.

But he is doing enough. I thought he would have to reach those peaks

again against James Wade but James just doesn't seem settled, it is

unlike him. He is a strong start in the game. How hard is it to play on

a big stage, on TV, more than once in a day? It is tough. I haven't

done it for a while if I'm honest. It is tough but both of them have

massive experience. Although Phil Taylor has more, but James Wade has

been doing it for now. He will be frustrated more than anything

because he has good rhythm but they are not landing how he would like at

the moment. He just can't find those troubles, that was better. Staying

on the nine teams. -- 19 s. Treble 24 66. Sensible visit from Phil

Taylor. No need to use the bowl. You can see James trying to psych

himself up. Just haven't been scoring heavily enough with his

first nine darts. The first maximum of the match. That is in the

tournament. They are following each other. 180, 180. We did mention nine

daughters at the beginning of this game. Phil Taylor had two against

James in the Premier League, can he do it again? Eight perfect darts

this afternoon. Not to be in this leg. Phil Taylor mentioned the dart

at double 12 slipped out of his hand. The point I was making about

the scoring, the first nine darts from James, 95 only. He is not

getting away in legs. He had 180 in this one but, the leg when he was

broken last time it wasn't until you hit a triple 20. He started the leg

with a 180. A chance for another break for Phil Taylor. That is what

he does, applies pressure, making James Miss at the moment. He is

going for a 6-1 lead. Right in the middle of the bed. It is one-way

traffic just at the moment on the key. -- on the oche. Phil Taylor

going for the jugular. Putting James Wade Un so much pressure. The

cricket he can get off the oche, the more time he can put his feet up and

relax and watch the other semifinal and recharge his batteries. If he

can get off here playing the minimal amount of legs, he will be hoping

Gary and Michael go all the way while he is just sitting there

getting ready for his final. Still all ifs and buts at the moment but

it is one way back for James Wade. But this will help.

What he is doing is keeping the pressure on the Taylor throw. But

Phil Taylor is responding to that pressure. We touched on it in the

last like he was on 50 after nine, he has left 86 after nine in this

leg. Look at the 54. Treble 24 four. He is moving up through the gears

now, Phil Taylor. An early finish tonight, he can then get ready the

final. A bit lonely up there for James at the moment. It is not nice

on the receiving end of these from Phil Taylor and you end up trying to

force the issue. He is never happier than when he is playing well and he

has got you way you don't want to be. We played each other in the

semifinals of the World Championships and I was 4-0 down,

two legs to nail down. He gave it the big one, just to show me who was

boss. No danger of me coming back but that's how he likes it.

Big score here and the chance of another break.

James Wade needs a big score, at least 140. The way Phil Taylor has

been playing you would expect to leave a two darter in. You said it,

you called it. You were absolutely right. It is why we pay you the big

bucks! He is just putting James under so much pressure. Took his

foot off the gas. No easy legs for James at all. This is for a title

one. -- 8-1. He has hit his last five doubles in the row. Absolutely

ruthless. James with a snigger, it is just frustration. He can't

believe how he has played after looking is a solid in this

tournament so far. James Wade hasn't had a dart at a double since the

fourth leg. Phil Taylor as won eight legs in a

row. That trumps James's seven in a row.

James just have to try to keep going. It is a thankless task for

him but he just has to keep going. This is a better lead. -- leg.

Just need something to getting going. A big score, 161 might do it.

Definitely. Seems really frustrated with his throw. You fancy him to go

first. Can't be done. You wouldn't put this past Phil

Taylor. Not the way he has been going tonight, you would half expect

it. He hasn't done this in a while in a double. Two 6s, he needs. One

more chance. He stops the rot. The rot may well be terminal. As they

break after ten, it is the power who leads 8-2 in a race to heaven.

What is going through the mind of James Wade right now? Three minutes

to compose himself. This year, Taylor has won both Premier League

meetings and the Dubai masters and at the moment, he is cruising into

the final of this year's Champions League. This is magnificent stuff

from Phil Taylor and James Wade can't cope.

It's very frustrating for James, after what was an incredible

performances afternoon. Really steady and just hasn't turned up the

night, almost like this tournament has been a game of two cars for him.

He just hasn't managed to find a game that brought him to the stage,

in the evening. The exact opposite to how we said James, if he it will

reach the final, how he has to play today. His scoring has let him down

but his finishing, certainly on double top, he didn't have many

chances but some of them were very early in the match. If you hit them

last dart in hand, it gives you early in the match. If you hit them

bit of confidence. All of a sudden, he loses a few on the trot and his

head went down... Phil Taylor is loving this at the moment because

the crowd every time he hits a double, the crowd cheering and legs

are stacking up and sadly, the final is in sight. He is not over the line

yet but you have to feel he will definitely do it. The way things

seem to be turning for Phil Taylor, it is likely has a big piece of

cheese on a stick. The way he has played, look at the stats, he is

averaging for the first nine, roughly the same as what he has done

before and he hasn't really had the urgency to just kick up that extra

3%, he has just done what he usually does, plays really well in the first

nine and when he gets the double, he kills it. Does anyone do cheese

fondue parties? Maybe we should! What is going to James Wade's mind?

He will be disappointed, having a break now. You will want to go out

and just make himself feel better by getting his teeth into the match and

maybe scoring a bit better. A long way to go and he probably won't win

but he needs to get something from it. Phil Taylor prodigious was to

get out there and concentrate on the final. The boys in the country box

said Phil Taylor wants to get off as soon as possible and if he can win

this 7-2, get up there and relax and watch the other guys stress it out

on the next thing you know, he is in the final. Let's hand you back to

our commentary team. Phil Taylor 8-2 James Wade. Is there

any part of James Wade which believes he can come back and win

this? You would have to say no but he has got to be positive. He has to

try to play himself into a bit of form. Probably won't win this game

but so much talk, he has to try to take something positive from this

match now. You can't say that when you are 8-2 down, I guess.

He didn't leave the stage during that short break. He just threw some

rather desolate looking darts at the board. Didn't look like he wanted to

be practising but didn't looked like he wanted to be doing anything else.

He looked very frustrated and rightly so because he will have been

up to this game and it isn't happening for him. But it looks like

he will win a second leg in a row. Probably the first time James has

been on a finish like this and are not massive pressure.

Hasn't been afforded this luxury at all in this game, hasn't had an easy

legs where he has no pressure. Phil Taylor then hits a 180 to

pressurise the top. Much better leg from James.

Phil Taylor will obviously not panic. If he can hold his throw

three times he can get in that back room and prepare for the final. It

has set up perfectly for him, especially the semifinals close, he

will be loving it. The only player last night the guaranteed

complications he was the first man through to the semis. Played Robert

Thornton under no pressure this afternoon and it is looking good for

him again tonight. Played Robert beaten easily, it was like a

practice session. That is what the semifinal is turning into for him

really. Unfortunately for James, it just has not happened. It is his

scoring that has let him down, James Wade. An average of just 94 with his

first nine darts. That is just not going to cut it against Phil Taylor.

Phil Taylor got 109 with his first nine darts. Touching on James on the

break, one thing he is good at, if he doesn't want to lose this game,

you doesn't dwell on defeats, he picked himself up and will be ready

to go in the next tournament. Obviously he will be disappointed.

18 is what he will go for her. -- here. Outside chance here for James.

The 120 is what they call Shanghai, treble, single, double. But will he

get a chance? Bull's-eye for tops. He will get a chance. Shanghai for

20s for James Guy. His first break at the table of throw. The odd

little deflection here and there. Not going for him.

Two away, now, Phil Taylor, from the final, which is also a first to 11

match. I think Phil Taylor will get straight back on the ball. He is one

to keep his rhythm going. He will keep an eye on the game but he will

be concentrating on his game so he is ready for the final. Here we go.

Triple 19 will leave the double top. 78.

Can Phil Taylor show him how it is done? Two at double 12. Yes, that is

how it's done. Phil Taylor now throwing for the match, will want to

get its own up now and get into the back room. Ruthless performance from

Phil Taylor. It's been clinical, from Phil

Taylor, hasn't it? Without hitting the heights of some of his

performances earlier today or last night. It has. It has been a perfect

similar Willey semifinal for him, he hasn't hit the average but he hasn't

really needed to. He will be saving his best arts for the final tonight.

When you played brilliant dance and you have to come back and play, do

you think you have left your best arts in the semifinal? Whenever I've

had a good game and you have to come back and play, you feel flat and it

doesn't happen. It is so frustrating, you can't put your

finger on it but it just happens. James Wade will be disappointed but

it has happened to him before and probably will again. Top six player

for a reason and he will get on with this, no worries. He has lost yet.

We should stress that. -- he hasn't lost yet. But it is pretty much on

the brink now. Surely the greatest comeback of all if he manages to

come back and win this game. Well, here we go, Phil Taylor for a place

in the final. Trouble 18, double 16. No, so James Wade still alive. Stay

there for the bull's-eye. Bull's-eye for the one, two, two. Just not

happening for James Wade tonight. Here we go, then, two 16 s for a

place in the final for a fourth victory in a row. 88. Their riches.

Clinical, calculating, cool, calm and collected. He is through to the

inaugural final of the Champions League of Darts.

James Wade worked so hard this afternoon to book his place in the

last four but he has been well and truly dispatched by that man, Phil

Taylor. Powering into the final. James Wade won their last two

meetings in the Shanghai Masters semifinals and the Tokyo Masters,

two close matches but look at bat, 11-3. That is a thrashing. It is and

the stats don't like, James Wade didn't have the energy of Phil

Taylor tonight. Over the last couple of months, ... Phil Taylor came in

fresh and he showed why having that break has paid dividends. He has

given himself more chances and he has taken them. He couldn't compete.

He couldn't because Phil Taylor has come into this tournament really

fresh. He is in the final now. And he did

everything right, didn't make any mistakes, got his chances and took

them and you said he was dispatched and he has done that. He will want

to put his feet up for a few minutes now and recharge and then get

himself ready for the final. It is surprising because we said before

the start of the night's matches, we said James Wade had done very well

to get into the semifinal because he lost yesterday and was under a lot

of pressure. We also said if he gets a good start, we might see him and

we used the phrase, battle hardened. There was no fight this afternoon.

There needs to be a postmortem as to what has gone on. On the European

tour that we play regularly, there is more than one games on a Sunday

and he played really well this afternoon but not, to those

standards, tonight. He has to figure out why. Yes and because the pattern

of this tournament, it is what has happened to him. Played well in the

first game, not so well in the second and gave himself a lot of

work to do to win the third match. No second chances at this stage. And

these guys are used to it, playing knockout darts most of the year. Not

many are group circuits. It will be interesting to see what he thinks.

Phil Taylor is in the final. The second semifinal is underway. Phil

Taylor is on his way into the studio. This is your third interview

in two days. Two hours! I'm shattered!

How do you feel? Shattered. That's where I was on I had to come all the

way up the stairs. Shut your face, you! It's all right for you. You

have made a lot of people judging by them waving at you. That's what I

mean. Only one of them responded, by the way. Brilliant performance.

Thank you, thank you. What you have to be thinking now is you got rid of

that game a lot quicker than you may have imagined and have more time to

rest before the final, is that a good thing? I don't think there is

any difference in terms of resting. They depends... Michael against

Gary, this is going to be a cracker, I think. This could go a long way so

I might have a bit longer than I think. Or because Gary hasn't been

practising, been away on holiday and Michael has been winning, it could

be over in half an hour, you don't know. You have 20 minutes from the

end of the second semifinal until your Mac. Thank you. Before you came

up here, Paul was saying you are looking fresh, do you feel

refreshed? I feel shattered, I am old! No, not at all. One game in the

morning and two gains at night time is not for me any more, do you know

what I mean? But I will push on and try. There is massive prize money at

the end of it. This is the hardest I've ever worked in my life, for

less money than this, 1000% less money than this! I will carry on,

push on and try to win this. How much do you want Michael and Gary to

batter themselves? I wanted to go to a tie-breaker! You're asking a

question you already know the answer to this he is crafty. Of course I

do. Is like Mike Tyson and Tyson Fury knocking seven bells out of

each other and saying, you've got the winner. Obviously, of course you

do. You want them to go out there, drag it out and be as long as you

can. I would rather play Gary Anderson or Michael van Gerwen at 11

o'clock tonight. When you came out this afternoon after you won... I

had a haircut. You are still looking good. You claimed Michael van

Gerwen's head within the shed. No, I said he was in the shed. He denied

that and said he was fully focused on beating whoever is put in front

of him. Might be as big as the shed if he wins this, a big shed as well.

He is a brilliant player, cocky and confident, gives it large. Some of

the face as he pulls up there, trust me, he has pulled some places in his

time but never as ugly as Michael van Gerwen, close. I try. He is a

character, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he cries, he does cry a

lot. He is one of those characters, he is like Nigel Benn, you have do

batter him into submission, otherwise you won't beat him. He is

a brilliant player stopped did you watched the video of the

players what they think about you? What they've done is say what you've

done for the sport. I've made them rich, that's what I've done! When we

first left the BBC and BDO, there was no money, I was winning, winning

and winning. I brought a lot of money into it. A lot of these

players, a lot won't tell you, they might say it on camera but they

won't mean it, they've earned a lot of money off me. But I've earned a

lot myself. Without the players, without you, BBC, sky, ITV, I

wouldn't be talking to you now. It's not about me. To be honest it's

about these people down here, paying their ticket money to come and see.

You have made a lot of people happy in the last few days. I have spoken

to a lot of these darts fans who have come to Cardiff and they've

been saying, I've come here, I've never seen Phil Taylor before in

action and I want to see him before he packs it in. Any plans? LAUGHTER

For those people who went tuning in this afternoon? At people will be

asking for their money back! You have been hinting at finishing. I

have to finish, of course I have, probably in about 18 months' time. I

have qualified for next year anyway, I will see my career out. Whatever

I'd qualified for, if I qualify for the Lincolnshire open, I will play

in it. Making good progress on that Six Nations England and Wales to get

that you want. Talking rugby again? You want to go to the match. He has

a complex about England, hasn't he? Not at all.

I present Six Nations coverage as well, I have to be impartial.

England is light snow at Christmas, you know it's coming that you don't

now how deep it will be, a bit slushy now and again. Time to look

forward now to our second semifinal. I like playing Michael. I must be

one of the only players out there who likes playing him, because

Michael is like myself. He gets up there and gets on with the game.

Gary is great otherwise he wouldn't be back to back world champion. He

is a big talent, and he knows that as well. I need to find a weakness

in his game. I've had some right ding-dong games. To me, that's when

I enjoy the game. Michael will be heads favourite, but I have a really

good record against him. You are not allowed to make any mistakes because

you can afford them with Gary, as simple as that. He's won 18

tournaments out of 19, so he's definitely up there. He's like a

machine when he gets going. Like I say, if I get him, I'm there to be

Timani knows that. I have had eight couple of good results against him,

so I feel all right. We will see what happens. I'm really looking

forward to it. It's an amazing tournament, it's a long format, so

it probably suits me. I hope I can put in a better performance. Oh,

yes, game on! Gary Anderson has 13 wins the Michael van Gerwen's 31 and

there has been one draw. When you look at these numbers, it is so

tough to call. It is tight. Michael van Gerwen's first nine average is

slightly higher, because he has more practice under his belt and more Mac

experience in the last few weeks. You are commentating on this one

plasma yes, I am doing shortly. Two players, when they start eating

their groove, the 180s, two of the biggest 180s hitters in the game.

Gary has got better as the tournament has gone on but not

firing on all cylinders at the moment, he will have doing this one.

The fact Michael lost to Phil and Anderson has sailed into the

semifinal, played three and won three, does that make a difference?

I think the losses will help Michael. He hasn't lost a lot

recently. When you win 50 odd games out of 50 odd matches you find

yourself thinking, I'm going to win, I'm going to win, then you get a

loss and it makes you go, OK, now I have to switch back on again. That's

what Michael is like. It's like pouring water on a gremlin, it just

wakes him up a bit more. He will say, we've made mistakes, let's fix

it. That's not to say Gary has had it easy in the three matches? No,

he's done what he needed to do. He's got through the game, I wouldn't say

easy but with a little bit of ease. He hasn't played his best but done

enough to get over the line. This is a different thing now, the

semifinals, one away from the final and two away from winning the

tournament. He's been there before, knows what it's all about and what

he has to do. Can I just say how much we are loving the darts? They

are singing stand up if you love the darts. You don't get this if you're

doing football or the Six Nations on BBC, Phil Taylor kiss me on the head

before he went out and said, I love talking to you. They are kisses from

Stoke! Alan, you are off to the commentary box, thank you for your

time. The crowd already, you are ready at home, let's join John

McDonald. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, who will join Phil Taylor

in the final? We are about to find out as we present the second

semifinal of the Champions League of Darts. Ladies and gentlemen, it's

time to meet the players, and it's time to meet the former two time

Premier League champion and the reigning back-to-back two time

champion of the world... The Flying Scotsman...

And now, ladies and gentlemen, from the Netherlands, it's time to meet

the reigning world number one, the former champion of the world...

Mighty... # Seven Nation Army -

The White Stripes It is all getting a little bit

raucous here in Cardiff. COMMENTATOR: The world number one

Michael van Gerwen takes on the world champion, Gary Anderson, for

the right to play in the final against the greatest player of

all-time, Phil The Power Taylor. What a climax we have the first ever

Champions League of Darts. And with these two on stage, it is almost

guaranteed to be entertaining. These are box office players, and they

tend to bring the best out of each other. Michael van Gerwen, has the

tournament average around about 100. I think it is fair to say he's not

hit top gear yet. But you can also level that accusation at the world

champion Gary Anderson. Despite winning every game he's played so

far this weekend, he's just been doing a professional job. We know he

has more in the tank. Well, they certainly feed off each

other when they get the pace of the game. Big scorers, as we've seen so

often. Van Gerwen debt is underway. The crowd have been looking forward

to this one, and so have we. Whoever wins this one will be playing, as we

mentioned, the Power in the finals of which ever one of these two it

is, we will have two cracking games to finish off in Cardiff. Gary

Anderson certainly the start of the year. He fires in his first 180. He

looked the most likely person in world darts to be able to beat van

Gerwen. Nobody else was really doing it, but Anderson managed it on more

than one occasion. A couple of finals in the World Series. He has

the game and composure at right times. He has certainly got the

scoring and both players know that that other person could beat them if

they are not an full charge. Needed two trebles so can't do it

this time. Anderson hit a 180 in the leg and needs tops to put the first

one on the board. A bit low there. He will be disappointed. I know it

is only the first leg, but it can mean so much.

Both players feeling the pressure. Anderson returns. A wry smile from

the world champion. He takes the first leg. He won't be bothered

about averages, they just want to beat their opponents.

Michael van Gerwen only as the one world title to his name. But he's

won everything else. There are only a couple of big TV titles in

existence that he doesn't currently hold.

He will certainly feel better if he wins this one. The crowd are really

responding to these two players. Maximum? Just 140. That is a bit of

a mistake from van Gerwen. What it was, he just looked like there was

so much room underneath, that's why he went for it. He didn't even think

about missing. The problem is, in that fact he has been let off, the

168 is a finish you can't take out in three darts, but you can set it

up, set it up very well. If Gary Anderson had scored more than he did

he would have had a shot for a 2-0 lead but as it like it will be 1-1.

Double tops he wants wants and gets. He will feel better now he has hit

the double. Doesn't want to miss too many doubles early on in the match.

Just makes those next doubles a bit harder. Wasn't really a grimace, was

it? That will do for the world champion, his second 180. He has

certainly got his scoring boots on. Probably quite obvious who the lads

in Orange are supporting. The future's bright, the future's

orange... Certainly when this young man came along. As it surprised you

just how good Michael van Gerwen has become? Not really, but the standard

on a regular basis, or when you look at the standard trees to have, they

always rise and develop and get more players involved. But the continual

times he does it, that's what's really impressive. He just wants to

win everything. His desire is incredible. Double top.

Same target hit by the world champion. Three consecutive breaks

of throw here. It is anyone's in the opening stages. By a virtue of both

darts at the double in the first leg, the averages have dropped a

little bit, but the scoring has been pretty good. Michael yet to hit a

180, Gary with two. I am sure Michael will hit one at some point.

Neither one of these players wants to be too far behind, because it is

hard to get back, especially against the throw, when people are playing

12 and 13 dart legs. Michael van Gerwen hasn't picked --

won any of the past few meetings between these two but has

significant victories against Gary Anderson. Last year he was trailing

10-7 and won the last four legs. This is his first 180, a potential

11 darter coming in for a 2-2 scoreline. Yes, wants to clean it up

pretty quick and clean it up pretty quick he does. Two darts, and then

the quality. The Cardiff crowd are loving it,

they really are. Known for their vocal singing, the Welsh sporting

fans. They've certainly been outstanding all over this weekend.

And why wouldn't they? We have the world champion and world number one,

slugging it out to play the greatest player in the final. It is heating

up here in this one. Anderson's scoring has probably been the best

of the tournament so far. We mentioned it, winning his three

games, but he has been improving as the tournament has gone on. This

would really get the crowd going... Bull. Arles, very nearly. The

biggest checkout you can get. Double top for Anderson for a fifth

consecutive break of throw. That's exactly what we've got. Well, the

crowd are loving it, we are loving it, I hope you are loving it at

home. It opens the door. If van Gerwen can

put in a couple of big scores. Those lists doubles in the opening

leg didn't do anything for the averages, but they've been going up

and up and up since then. Michael van Gerwen now around the 105 Mark,

and this is a bit more like it. From MVG.

There's no doubt they are both certainly in the rhythm and on the

scoring. They seem to be finding the treble on a regular basis with the

first or second dart, which is obviously important for the scoring.

A slip there, disappointed with that one, went treble 18. Yet another

chance for a break of throw. Not with darts like that and mathematics

like that, leads a bogey. It is rare that you see Michael van Gerwen do

that once in a game, let alone twice. And he might be punished for

it. A 177 from Anderson will give him three darts at a double for the

first holder of throw in this match. Van Gerwen will be very frustrated.

Surprising. Players are normally meticulous with leaving finishes,

and he is punished. Anderson holds throw for the first time in this is

an. Now leads 4-2. Here comes MVG! When Gary Anderson is celebrating

things like that, when he has a bit of swagger about his game... That is

when Gary Anderson is that his most dangerous. -- at his most dangerous.

He has had a couple of slips but on the whole he is playing pretty well

here. Van Gerwen is not doing that much wrong. Trailing by two, but

looking in pretty good position here to move back within one. He doesn't

want Anderson to get too far away. That is fine for MVG, he will

return, looking to hold his throw for the first time. Only needs

double 16. And after failing to hold his throw at all against Phil Taylor

in the group stages, this would make him feel a little bit better about

proceedings, although another miss here and he's in a bit of bother.

Right on the wire, 111 from Anderson here and we have a serious gap

opening up. Double top... That was a big chance for Gary. He has let van

Gerwen off the hook. He certainly has. Anderson, by virtue of that 140

had an opportunity to finish but couldn't hit a treble with the first

two darts. He's back in again. A little high,

but still happy with the visit. Back-to-back 140s. Leads him on 161.

Van Gerwen trailing. Not challenging in this leg so far.

Gary has thrown a Batley and Spen is -- a bag of spammers. Rescue sick,

leaving himself made two dart finish. But a maximum here from the

world number one... Pressure applied, asking the question of

Anderson. Does he have an answer? Double 18. Double 9. That would have

hurt, that really would have her. Gary Anderson in command of the leg.

He had a big visit. Anderson hit the 180, putting the pressure on. Just

couldn't quite hit the 96 finish. Two on the wire causing the trouble.

Great game. 212 in four darts, that's what the world number one

does and does it on an alarmingly regular basis. In a blink of an eye

you can be in control of the leg and then you've lost it. And he keeps on

doing it, he keeps on doing it! 180 number four the Michael van Gerwen,

112 for the tournament. It is incredible, isn't it?

Sometimes those visits are important, as well. We love to see

the 180s and a big finishes, but sometimes the tidy up scores can

mean so much. 2-edged and 20. -- 220. And that will make it just a

shade easier. It should mean he gets a dart, Michael van Gerwen, to go

into the lead for the first time this match. He might get two at the

double. Only the one, double top. Moves across, opens up the bed but

cannot stay out of the way of the first couple of darts. Now then, now

then, this would really hurt van Gerwen. Just couldn't quite get over

their far enough, you could see how close it was, but it wasn't in.

Double 5 will do it. 5-4. For the first time Gary Anderson trails in

this one. An important leg here for Gary. Was leading 4-2, has lost the

last three legs. He has had chances. Van Gerwen is just turning on the

gas, just a little bit higher. Back comes Anderson. Darts of the highest

quality here in Cardiff. Anderson will be telling himself,

just get to the break level. Give himself an opportunity to come out

all guns blazing and take out the world number one. Good thinking from

van Gerwen there. Not quite this time. Two darts at

the treble 18. Now he needs to hit it for the bull. How close is it? He

knows it is not in, but is just checking. Van Gerwen returns. Two

darts for a 6-4 lead for the world number one. Double 16, double 16 he

takes out first time. Michael van Gerwen has roared back into this

one. He trailed 4-2, leads 6-4, against the world champion, Gary

Anderson. Gary Anderson against Michael van

Gerwen, rapturous applause when these came out and in Cardiff and

it's living up to its billing. What a match here at the Motorpoint

Arena. Absolutely incredible. Paul and Mark, look at these stats, this

is just incredible darts. This has been a very good game so far. Gary

Anderson was the boss of this game in the first eight legs but Michael

van Gerwen in leg nine found his first lead and has managed to take

advantage with that last shot just before the break, to get a bit of

aggression. Gary Anderson under the cosh a bit. What is your assessment,

Mark? High quality staff, both players miss darts in the first

legs, a bit of nerves. Gary got himself in front. We talked about

Michael, did the other 4-2 and got himself in a 6-4 lead. An

interesting position Gary is in, given he played three and a won

three. Went into the interval in front in every single match and now

confronted with a big challenge. Yes, a big challenge against the

biggest player in the world. We will find out where Gary's game is out

right now. He's been in the ascendancy going into these breaks,

but now it is a different task. When he comes back I think he will throw

everything at MVG as soon as he can and MVG will be loving the fact he

is in front rather than behind. Phil was sitting in your chair a while

ago and said he wanted them to bash themselves up and that is what

they're doing. This plays into his hands perfectly? Absolutely. If you

looked at Phil at this stage he was 8-2 and almost home. Whoever gets

throughout this will know they have been in a gay man still have a final

to come. Let's have a look at nickname's final checkout.

Gary has done really well to get the ascendancy at the start but Michael

has done even better to wrestle it back from the Scotsman. How much of

this do think it is down to the fact Michael lost the big game against

Phil Taylor last night, which is why he is in this position, gunning for

Phil Taylor? It's a huge because he hasn't lost a lot in the last couple

of months. It is almost refocusing him and sometimes that is what

losing does to you. We talked about it, Michael van Gerwen will be

deadly. I will ask you now, nail your colours firmly to this post.

Scotland or Netherlands? If it was 5-5, I would've said Gary but I have

to say MVG. And me. COMMENTATOR: I remember in the World

Championship campaign when Gary Anderson went on to win his first

title, he found himself trailing and he went off for the break, walked

past me and mind and then he came back after the break with fire in

his belly and and he threw devastating darts that took him to

the victory and then he went on to win his first title, defending it

the following year. He will need something similar against Michael

van Gerwen here to book his place in the final for the first ever

Champions League of Darts. He is like a dog with a bone. Doesn't want

to let go. Certainly one of the aggressive players. Seems to pull

the best out of himself when he feels a little angry. He needs a

little more of that. Gary does. No need to take this out on the

bull's-eye, there is no need to! I'm sure he would like to hit it. Gary

is in a position now, four legs on the trot, 4-2 ahead, now five legs

on the trot, just want it to continue. He has to stop the rot as

soon as possible and hopefully get on one of his runs where he can

produce darts like that. It is a fifth 180 four Gary Anderson. It

might be a sixth. Not sure Gary liked that. It was almost in. He is

back to scoring well. 20, double top, to stop the rot. Now

double 10. We have a response. Very important for Gary to take that leg

and take it well. Now leads the challenge the van Gerwen throw like

you did in the early part of this match. Gary Anderson, for a long

time, every single time he used to play on the TV, before he went on

stage,... That is as good as 180 with Van Gerwen. Anderson used to be

physically ill, Satch with the nerves. And yet he could still

produce darts that would take him to big titles. Looking good for Van

Gerwen in this leg. I feel Gary needs another one to give him an

outsides chance, if van Gerwen misses the 54, though... Anderson

hits with a 12 darter and he responds with an 11 darter. These

are top two in the world, knocking lumps out of each other. They are

certainly toe-to-toe now on the scoring particularly. Again, Gary in

the same position he was five minutes ago, just needs to win his

throw well. He has hit another maximum. Maximums are flying in

here. Just the 58 but he wanted to stay on

the 20s, even though it is hard to find the treble because he has left

the 170. But Van Gerwen is much better placed. Van Gerwen for

another break of and a 9-5 commanding lead. This would really

hurt. For the bull's-eye. Treble 18. Interesting. Treble 20. It matters

not. Van Gerwen comes back. Gary Anderson is left needing to do

something extraordinary to stop the world number one setting up a final

with Phil The Power Taylor. Is certainly on a roll. Gary is

certainly a quality player he needs to pull out his absolute best in the

next 15 or 20 minutes. If you can. To be in with a chance of getting

into the final tonight. He's just had that blip in the middle but this

is better. This is the sort of stuff Van Gerwen has been doing for a

while. Anderson has been able to stop him

on a number of occasions. Is it all too late rush to mark --?

Michael van Gerwen trailed 4-2 to the world champion. He has won eight

of the last nine legs. This is a man that for a good few years in PDC

darts, could barely win games. He was in tears on a regular basis.

Other players questioned if he would ever be any good. It is not as if

Gary has had that many chances either. It is not as if he's missed

a lot of doubles and let Michael in. He deserves the right to win the

leg. Van Gerwen effectively stealing the darts here, looking to leave a

finish. Which he will do. 135 should start. He really need the trouble

with this last one. 160 is a tall order, 135 could be done. Trouble 50

not to be. Anderson is not going to take the 160 and Michael van Gerwen

will get two match starts here to set up the final. Double top and the

world number one Michael van Gerwen wins it. The best player in the

world right now. The greatest there has ever been, in the final of the

first Champions League of Darts. He will play Phil The Power Taylor in

Cardiff. In the 2014 World Championship

third-round, Van Gerwen won 4-3 from 3-1 down and Anderson credit that

defeat for firing him up on words. Only one winner this evening and

that is Mighty Mike, the Dutchman, he is into the final. We have got I

suppose, the dream final, the final everyone wanted. It is the right

stage, the right players, now we just have to have the performances.

Michael van Gerwen after that break just absolutely sprinted for the

line. But performance, his best of the week. He's gradually been

getting better. Did really well early on and now he is gunning. He

was doing his damage in the first nine and I don't think Gary

recovered from those four legs on the spin.

As the tournament caught up with Gary? I think the middle part of

that game, everything changed. Gary started really well, he was in the

lead and what you have to do with Michael van Gerwen is keep that lead

because if he gets in front of you, he is like Mo Farah, he tends to get

quicker and quicker. He never looked back when he got that lead, it was a

different lead. -- a different game. Different territory for Anderson,

sadly he had to claw his way back. It must require a different set of

mental skills. Yes but credit to Michael, you put him under pressure.

When Gary got that break at 4-2, Michael never looked back. He came

out and did a professional job and got himself in the final. Michael is

not coming for an interview because he has a final to get ready for

against Phil Taylor in about 20 minutes. We can hear from Gary

Anderson. All right after that? He came

flying. He did at the start but it wasn't good enough. I made a mess of

a few of the legs. He kicked on from his advantage. I keep thinking if I

could break and get as throw, I was only a couple of legs behind but it

wasn't to be. I was quite happy at the start. You met Michael van

Gerwen when he is bang on form, he played his best. It was that the

start, I was 4- two up, but then he picked up and did what he does. When

he came into this it was, he said because he had been playing hard.

You had that break, did it make a difference? I've had nine hours and

four weeks practice. I'm actually quite happy with the way I played.

There have been some scrappy darts and some good ones. The crowd were

fantastic. This is going out on the big screen. What would you say to

them? Party more! Just about. I think last night was party mode. At

five o'clock this morning it was still kicking with the streets. They

are singing your name, go and join them. In case you missed it earlier,

he couldn't get any sleep last night and he got up at 4am to have a

little walk around Cardiff which would have been very interesting.

Gary Anderson walks away as a losing semifinalist but ?25,000 richer.

Phil Taylor against Michael van Gerwen in the final.

Stand by and expect fireworks. I think it's fair to say that. Phil

Taylor has been trying to conserve energy in his earlier matches in

case he was up against someone like Van Gerwen in the final. There will

be no love lost here. They both want to put their name on this title for

the first time because I want to come back and say, that is my name

on the trophy and I want to defend it. Abu Dua to do that is to win it

first. Michael van Gerwen will be a slight favourite. Is their mutual

respect between these two? From a professional respect, absolutely.

They would be talking to each other at this point, head plugs in years,

looking at the border and getting things done. Michael will probably

try to bring a very angry, aggressive game of the blood Phil

Taylor will probably want to reciprocate. Phil Taylor will try to

do what he did last night. It has to be a difficult game,. Phil Taylor

will be buoyant but Michael Van Gerwen will be gunning for him at

the same time. It will be an interesting game. The final coming

up in about 17 minutes. In the meantime, we will have a bit of fun

because lots of celebrities have got involved with the nine darts

challenge on the BBC sport website to take a look at this.

I don't like the way you are holding it.

Don't talk! Have some respect for the game. The best thing about darts

is that anyone can do it and if you get really good, you can do tricks.

As a darts expert, I thought about this, complicated strategy. Hit the

board, not the wall. Come on! Three! Always a brilliant atmosphere and in

Cardiff, I'm sure that will be three times as good as normal. Last one.

Gosh! It ricocheted. That is probably worth about a hundred,

isn't it? Darts was huge in Bolton one I was growing up. Both my mum

and my Nanna were in the local darts team. If I score anywhere near

anything on that board, I will be very happy. 20. The worry is that

you will invite another sportsman to do it. Phil Tufnell will be the most

traditional. He will be fluid. Come on! You want 51 to beat Phil

Tufnell. Now you want 50. I like the pressure, the moment that

darts player is looking, that ultimate pressure of trying to hit a

triple. I was think a much I would be shaking if I was trying to do it.

I have never played darts before. Look at that! Whenever we play, he

seems to be a hundred odd in front of me. LAUGHTER

I'm too intimidated. What can I do? You look at the physique, I was made

and primed to play darts. Haven't played this game in 30 years. I do

watch it amongst the mayhem and the Dutchman isn't bad, is he? He's

bald, as well. That's not bad, is it? Great shot. Great shot.

When you are playing someone who is 11 foot two, who just leans forward

and puts the darts in, what is that? I'm really pleased with my

performance today. These are my peers. You cheated! I now stand

literally above them but also mathematically above them. Well

done, Greg, he has obviously been spending a lot of time in his local

pub. I have no idea why I agree to this but the producer thought it

would be a good idea if I did the nine darts challenge on live

television. I didn't have to do this in the Rio Olympics. Two

commentators here who will talk me through it. You will commentate. I

have no idea why I'm doing this. You will need some well starts. Well

starts, that is a good start. -- Welsh darts. I'm sure we will see a

ton 40. No pressure. I haven't played for about 30 years. We are

about to see if you are as good as Sarah cox, Alan Shearer, Trevor

Nelson, no pressure! 61, he's getting better. 62, a great start.

You can do it! Four, 12 and 20. 36 on top of 98.

Deep breath. We will edit this out. What you mean, it's live!

Shanghai 5s. That isn't bad. 65. 163 in nine darts, not bad at all.

That's not allowed. So you are better than Alan Shearer. What did I

get? 163. That's not bad considering this is live. I know how those guys

are feeling. You said you were nervous. That was the first time

I've played darts for about 30 years. My best checkout was double

two. That is one of the hardest ones. Thank you. Humiliation on live

television. I need a nicknames so we should ask you via Twitter and

Facebook, get involved. Keep them clean! These guys have been telling

us what they are highlights of this weekend have been. Highlight so far

has to be the high quality finishing that we have seen. James Wade

starting with 161 in the afternoon session. Setting the tone for what

we were about to see the rest of the day. He will need two troubles. This

would be a killer. A killer bull's-eye! James Wade

really put the Cat amongst the pigeons. As if that shot wasn't good

enough, he did one better, 164. He could use treble 19 twice and the

bull's-eye, but he went a conventional route, treble 20,

treble 18 and another bull's-eye. Triple 20 or two triple 19 is. Could

he? He could! Then, to go one better, Phil The Power Taylor takes

167 against Michael van Gerwen. At that point in the match, he needed

something to go his way, treble 20, treble 19 and the bull's-eye.

People are saying Phil Taylor is finished, he is far from finished,

still playing at a very high standard. This would be for 167,

third break in a row. Yes! My moments of the week and so far was

Phil Taylor's celebration after he wins the penultimate leg against

Michael van Gerwen last night. We thought Phil Taylor was going to

take it easy and he wasn't going to expend useless energy. When that 138

went in, it wasn't an accident that he celebrated like it did. The

context of the match was a kind of worlds will collide, it was the best

of all time against the best in the world. Hadn't lost since losing to

Phil Taylor 36 games ago. It was a big moment, a big celebration and a

big statement of Phil Taylor. Telling the world, I am duffing up

the Dutchman and he did. We were talking about two worlds

colliding and it is happening all over again. We had it last night,

that was the start and now we will see who will finish it. Michael van

Gerwen was playing better now than he was yesterday, Phil Taylor has

steadied off. Doing the same thing all weekend. Interesting to see who

will win this because I wanted to be an angry contest. I want drama and I

don't think I will be disappointed. It will definitely be angry, they

will be pumped up. It will be very interesting. I think it will be a

steady start by both players. We will see who can kick on. It is fair

to say, it took us a while to get to the big checkouts but when they did,

they were really impressive. It was an edgy start with the first game

yesterday but shortly after, James Wade lit the touch how things went

over the course of yesterday and today. Full credit to him, he has

played really well. Now, all about Van Gerwen and Taylor, the greatest

ever against the greatest right now. We will find out who will be the

first ever Champions League champion. More build-up to come

after we find out which moments mark and Alan chose. The nine-darter on

the big TV stage. They all love to see it, we all love to watch it.

Phil Taylor said earlier in the week, you wanted to hit one on the

BBC. I was commentating on the game. Thornton hit the two 180 's and you

could feel the noise level is rising in the auditorium, as it was in the

commentary box. Phil Taylor really wants to do this.

Yes. It is on. Double 12... Oh! Double 12, just wasn't to be, it was

a long way off. It slipped! Good to see you smiling, though! I can't

swear, can I but it was a rubbish dart.

There is only one Jason Mohammad, only one Dan Dorton and he has been

with us all week. -- Dan Dawson. What a couple of days it has been.

It has been phenomenal and look at the showpiece we have got, the

greatest in the world right now against the greatest there has ever

been. Some love Phil Taylor, some love Michael van Gerwen. That lad

loves his Nan, good on him! Did you think these two would be in the

final? There was always a chance. Ominously, for Phil Taylor, Michael

van Gerwen has just put in his best performance of the weekend in the

semifinals. If you have time this right, we could see something very

special from him. But Phil Taylor knows how to win big titles and he

is desperate to get a big TV title to his name. We were let down do

that and we are ready for you, Jason. It looks a wonderful

atmosphere. Two legends of the game. The head to

heads, it can be a bit misleading because Michael van Gerwen had a big

dip in form a few years back but recently it has been all him and

that is what he has to cling to. Mentally, I think he is very fresh.

11 TV nine-darter is for the power and five from McGhee. -- Mighty

Mike. It will be littered with 180 s. What

has been amazing is talking to the players when they have come up and

having a chat. You get that sense of relief it is over and then they have

another group match to concentrate on. I wonder how these two guys are

feeling, given what is at stake tonight. Put everything into it now,

nothing left after the night. Do what you can and don't leave

anything in your locker. Both guys know that. It is what we will see.

We talk about Will Championships and all the big titles as well these two

have played, but what about tonight, the first time this event has been

held. The first time it has been on the BBC as well. Does that make it

even more special? Yes, everything has got to start

somewhere. 40 years from now, this tournament could be willing to the

future. We will be seeing, who won the first one? Was it Michael van

Gerwen, Phil Taylor? They want to be the answer to that question. Michael

has just gone through in the second semifinal. Does that make a

difference? Not really. Phil will be happy that he played first. Michael

has got to pick up where he left off, he has got momentum. He will

want to set off like a house on fire in the final. What about the crowd?

How important? You have stood in front of massive crowds. How

important is it to get the fans on your side early on? It is

interesting. If Gary Anderson made the final, he probably would have

been the crowd favourite. With van Gerwen Ann Taylor, it is 50-50. When

it comes to games like this, sometimes the winner in the game at

that point gets the most. Whoever really does breakthrough and gets at

two leg lead, they will have the crowd on their side. ?100,000 to the

winner. The players are standing by. The referee will talk us through

this one. Point, barrel, flight. The dart, the

straightest, near weightless, an elegant and gracious tool. Despite

trepidation, calculation, perspiration, a binding weight of

expectation. Yearning for a celebration. Time to raise the

anti-, a flutter, a flick, a flight of fancy. Anything is possible in

this Champions League of dance finale. Point, barrel, flight. And

how it flew. Men named the mighty, the Power, whittled down to two. In

Google tilt, baptism, first, a brand-new narrative. Demand is, as

special ambience. The world awaits. Step forward, champions. And if that

has not got you ready, I do not know what else we can do? Very well said.

A fantastic voice. It is fantastic listening to what he can do for the

sport. He is the voice of darts and he has got me ready. 2006, the first

time they played, van Gerwen was 17. Taylor was the winner. That was in

the Netherlands. Now it is a full house in Cardiff. The expectation is

massive. Yes, and yesterday's game has done nothing to dampen that

expectation. We expect big scores and big finishes. I think the final

will deliver. I am sure you are ready at home. We cannot wait. Let's

join John McDonald. Eight of the very best in the world came, ladies

and gentlemen, and only two remain. Welcome to the final of the

Champions League Of Darts. We are live on the BBC. It is time to meet

the final is. Please welcome, from Stoke-on-Trent, England, he is the

record-breaking, history making, 16 times the champion of the world.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, from the Netherlands, it is time to meet the

world number one, and the former champion of the world, might the

Michael van Gerwen. -- Mighty Michael.

MUSIC: "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes.

Michael van Gerwen, 23 victories, Phil Taylor, 29 victories. There

have been two draws. Enjoy it. Get those feet up in the company of

Vassos Alexander and Alan Warriner. Yes, we hope, we expect we are in

for a tungsten treat. For the second time in 24 hours in Cardiff, it is

the best in the world against the best of all time. Last night it was

a great game, this is for the title. Van Gerwen has hardly put a dart

from all year. 19 titles in 2016 so far. He has won his last 16

tournaments and take two nine daughters already this week, both in

Barnsley, annoyingly. He has won 58 of his last 61 matches. Two of those

three defeats were at the hands of Phil Taylor, in Sydney last month in

another best of 21 leg final, Taylor was the winner, 11-9. Last night,

mighty Mac did not manage to hold his throw. I have just been chatting

to Phil. He is proud of his new exercise regime. His mind as clean

as a bell. He was on holiday while MVG was cleaning up. This is it, the

best-known and the best ever, a live-in legs, 100 grand, and the

first-ever Champions League Of Darts on the line. How could you not look

forward to this? The two big powerhouses of world darts. World

number one Michael van Gerwen, he seems to win everything in his path.

In his path today, the legend of darts, Phil "the Power" Taylor. He

took the plaudits last night. The atmosphere was fantastic. This is

electric. As you said, this is not a great game, this is for the title.

17 world titles between them. The 16 time world champion, Phil Taylor. He

threw some absolutely sensational darts, both this afternoon and

against MVG last night. Has he got it in him at 56 to produce that, too

produces best five times in two days? If he can do the same as he

did last night, Michael will find it very tough. If you spin the coin, if

Michael can produce his best, Phil will also find it tough. If we can

get that happy medium, we could be in for a cracker. Sometimes you

build these games up, two fantastic players and stars of the game, and

it does not work out. Last night was brilliant. The atmosphere is

certainly good. The crowd are loving it. A slow start from both players,

you have to say. 12 darts thrown from each of them. Nobody is on a

finish yet. Yes, certainly a slow start. Maybe some nerves. There

always is in any game in the first couple of legs. Important to get the

first leg on the board. Whichever player wins the first leg, he will

not mind if it is a 25 darter. Taylor hits the first maximum of the

final. That has woken everybody up. Double 16 to hold his throw. Did he

need that? Remember, he failed to hold his throw all through last

night's match, MVG. This is a chance for Phil Taylor to break him again.

He only needs the one dart. It was certainly a mixed bag on the

scoring. That maximum from Phil Taylor gave him the opportunity. Van

Gerwen had a chance and did not take it. Taylor had the chance and he did

not miss. He has got a new step machine at

home, Phil Taylor. He says it is really doing him good.

The noise in that auditorium is amazing. They are really enjoying

this weekend and is final. It has -- it has been a pleasure to be here at

the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff. Yes, it really has been a cracking

atmosphere all weekend. We are building to what we hope will be a

thrilling, enthralling climax. It is all set up. Van Gerwen really has to

get his scoring boots on. He has not yet got going. Only one score of 400

plus from MVG so far. -- of 100 plus. He does not want the same as

last night to happen, when he could not win his throw. He ended up being

so far behind, he could not get back. This is for a two leg lead.

Yes. He has woken up. He certainly has.

He needed that one. You could see the grimace from van Gerwen. It has

been a slow start from the young Dutchman. He needed that. He really

needed that. You can see what it meant to him. We mentioned that MVG

has won his last six tournaments. If he wins here, it will be seven in a

row. Phil Taylor once did it in a row. It just shows you the quality

that is out there. Darts like these from Taylor. Another maximum.

He leaves himself 95. Taylor leaving himself something handy. Van Gerwen,

you would think, would go for the bull as a first dart, because if he

goes for the treble and misses, he will not get another throw. That is

my point. If Taylor takes this out, the pain will increase. Two darts at

double 1243 leg lead. -- at double 12 for a three leg

lead. That is a big let. Michael van Gerwen's face when Phil Taylor

missed, it tells you what it means. It really does. He was fired up.

Phil Taylor had a dart at double 12, a dart at double six. That is what

it meant when he missed them. Certainly both players are fired up.

That is a prime example. Can he send another one over the

top? Powerful scoring again, 140, 142 start this leg. The scoring has

been fantastic, it really has, over the whole weekend. Even if it has

not been a maximum, he has been pretty good at the scoring on a

consistent basis. Even there, single five, but he managed a reasonable

score. Averaging 105, that is tonight. 104 throughout the

tournament. This is for the 3-1 lead. He will be back if you misses.

Stand up if you love the darts! And right now, Phil Taylor, you would

think, is loving his darts. Five missed doubles in a row for Phil

Taylor. How the tide's turning. 102. He went for six, double 18. I can't

believe he missed that. A massive opportunity.

That is a steadying dart. Already, even this early in the match, you

feel he needed that. Keeps his nose in front. Certainly warming up

nicely. Phil looks as composed as ever. Michael kind of battling with

himself at the moment. He knows he's not in Top Gear. He's much more

methodical, isn't he, then Gary Anderson, who we just saw. Phil

Taylor takes his time. Will that affect van Gerwen's rhythm and

concentration? I don't think so. Not particularly slow, Phil, but he's

methodical in the way he sets up the throw. Michael very fast, as you can

see. Like a lot of young Dutch players. Seems to be fighting his

own battle. He's disappointed when he doesn't get a shot. He's got to

calm himself down. There's a lot to play for here. Phil is calm and

unflappable, but MVG seems to react to every dark this really.

Just checking the score. He knows that van Gerwen isn't on a finish.

That's why he didn't go further bull finish route. Double 16 when he

comes back for another break of throw for Phil Taylor. To move two

breaks head. That one was right in the green bit.

He's in a bit of trouble. But we do know he's capable of silly

darts, Michael van Gerwen, and seemingly he can just turn them on

from. Like this. He needs to do it all the way through the leg, and

challenge every leg, if he's going first or against the throw. The more

opportunities you get, the better you feel, certainly when you hit

them. You've got to get the opportunity in the first place. He's

only had three darts and double so far, MVG. You imagine a fourth is

coming in this lake. He will not be too worried about

this leg. He will just keep pounding that treble. He doesn't get a shot,

he goes on to the next leg. Double 16.

Disappointed with the 96, you could see there. He knows he has to score

heavier. Doesn't want to be giving Phil Taylor the chance again. He's

trying to claw his way back in the game. It's been a feature of the

weekend, the Icelandic anchor. A chance for Taylor here. Not the best

of visit. You can see the shape of the head from Michael at the back.

Phil, just doing his own thing, as he always done.

Van Gerwen will be looking at finishing the 207 in two visits, if

he can. He might have two. Well, it feels a bit like Christmas,

with Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen here in the final. A full

house, cracking atmosphere. Not to be. Stand up for the legend,

our said. He would have loved it here. Double 16. Another opportunity

goes for van Gerwen. He knows it's crucial, even at this early stage.

Trouble 16, double 8. He's done it! He's cleaning up these

legs, very clinically. Every time he gets the opportunity. That's what

wins you matches. Almost halfway there for Taylor. A

race to 11. We mentioned how much he's been

winning, Michael van Gerwen, in the last month or two. Therefore, he's

been playing an awful lot. Surely that's got to take it out of you at

some stage? I'm sure it will. He has had a holiday this year, which is

something you need to do, despite his youthful age compared with a lot

of the players in the top 16. He's one of the youngest. He has to win

this leg. Taylor can't leave a finish. He will make a big hole in

it, certainly. Van Gerwen can't leave a finish. He could be in

trouble here. Taylor two visits from 162. The way he's been finishing, he

gets the chance, he'll take it. He missed five darts and a double in a

row earlier in the match, but other than that, it's been really

clinical. That is what has kept the averages down for both players, that

first leg. There was a bit of nerves, obviously. Well, well, well.

18. He's not giving van Gerwen that

second chance. Even the 148, a big finish. He's not giving him the

opportunity to have a go at it. If Michael had missed there, it would

have got the adrenaline going. He's not giving him the chance. He's

taking the opportunity away every possible time. How tough is it to

play a semifinal, wait 20 minutes, then come back and play a final?

It's never easy, because the adrenaline is very high from the

game you've just played. Some players say it's better to play in

the second semifinal, so you haven't got too long to wait. Some say is

better in the first one. It's a personal choice. I would rather play

in the first one, then come down and get yourself ready for the next

game. These players play so many tournaments, play two or three times

on the finals day. They should be used to it.

Both these players are really strong front runners. Michael van Gerwen

knows he can't let Phil Taylor go any further ahead, really. There's a

break after ten legs. What ever happens, Taylor will be leading at

the break. If van Gerwen could take this leg, he would love a break

after it. Just needs to get back there. Despite the large deficit,

which has been reduced to three. He took out one 10. Not under any

pressure. Look at Phil Taylor. Straight back in the red! Claiming

the maximum as only he can. The boy is certainly earning his tuppence.

He might have to do it again. 180! They are on their feet, and they

won't bother sitting down. Phil Taylor, within one dart of the

perfect lake this afternoon. -- perfect leg.

Would have left double 12. The crowd wanted it. I'm sure he wanted it.

Didn't quite get the trouble numeric 19.

How about that? The Power. He is all over Mighty Mike now. A 7-3 lead in

a race to 11. # Hey, baby!

# I want to know # If you will be my girl.

All smiles from Phil Taylor before the match, and smiles in the

interval. I hope the noise and the atmosphere is getting to you at

home. The atmosphere is just incredible. We are witnessing

something very special from the legend that is Phil The Power

Taylor. He won 10-4 with a high average. But this is the one that

counts. It is, if you get the right amount of legs. At the start of the

game, Phil was outscoring Michael. The disparity between the scoring

stats of the first nine darts was about 16 points. That is not the

Michael van Gerwen we know, so Phil has taken advantage of that. He just

held on throw, and at the end, almost gave us an nine-darter. So

what has happened to Michael van Gerwen? He's not playing as well as

he did this afternoon in that clash with Peter Wright. The first leg was

very sloppy from him. He conceded an easy break to Phil, and then Phil

has just kept in front. Phil has kept him at arm 's length. What do

you think has happened to Michael? Did he overdo it in the final? I

think he's just had an off leg to start the final. The first leg can

dictate an awful lot. He's had a dodgy first leg. Phil has had an

nice break, and hasn't submitted to Michael van Gerwen. We've seen a bit

of aggression in some of the video we've seen, but it hasn't happened

yet. Phil Taylor has been too good. A lot of guys had some beer their

hands ready to throw in the air, but it didn't happen. So close. When

Phil missed the trouble 19, he turned his attention to the trouble

10. He stayed focused. Over the weekend we have looked at the facial

expressions and body language. You can read so much into a darts

player's mental state by their facial expressions. Michael isn't as

composed and happy as he was this afternoon. Absolutely right. There's

a lot of shaking of the head. But Phil Taylor isn't giving anything

away with his body language and facial expressions. If we see

something from him, it is when the other guy is looking at the board.

Compere Michael this afternoon, the fist pumping, looking at the camera

and thinking he will win this. He looks very, very tense. I don't

think that first leg has helped him. He's very nervous, which is unlike

him. Phil has taken advantage of it and has opened up a lead. He has to

go now. Thank you very much indeed. Game on.

What do you think, is there any way back for MVG? He has to come

straight out of the blocks from the word go. He really has to play at

his best. It is not just winning the legs, it is winning the legs against

someone who is playing better than you. He needs to win this first leg,

take one leg at the time. As we have seen so often in this game, it can

change around very quickly. The way Phil Taylor is going, you just

cannot see it. You get the feeling that if Michael van Gerwen is going

to push Phil Taylor, if he is going to beat him, he is going to have to

produce best darts. If he does, we are all in for a treat. That is what

everybody wants. I am sure that Michael wants it as well. He is

certainly looking better on the scoring. He let himself down. He

needs to get a couple of legs on the board and fire himself up. Back

comes Taylor. Unlucky. Apart from the fact he has not hit the maximum,

he has not left a finish. Six darts, if he needs them. Taylor is back on

184. He will be back. He has made it more hard work than it should have

been. When you're behind, those doubles seem that little bit

smaller. That is what happens when you're

behind. If he was 7-3 in front, he might have got that. He is feeling

the pressure. This is a virtual match point, championship point for

Phil Taylor. This is for an 8-3 lead. Relentless on the doubles,

Phil Taylor. Michael van Gerwen is certainly feeling the pressure.

Pressure can destroy or create, it can drive you to victory or despair.

We love it. Michael van Gerwen does not at the moment.

He has only lost 17 legs in four and a half matches, Phil Taylor. Not bad

going. He has beaten everyone up. With

darts like this. He mentioned about having a bit more of a break because

of his age, feeling tired on some of the pro tour events. People

questioned it. If you can produce darts like these in some of the big

television events, he is right. He says he wants to quietly fade away,

the fade of the scene over the next 18 months or so. This is anything

but fading away quietly. He will certainly never fade away. He is

playing like Robin Hood at the moment.

This is better from van Gerwen, but is it too late in the leg? Taylor is

finishing like a master. Tops, to increase the pain. That is

an unusual miss. Especially the way the game has gone. He needed that.

He really, really needed to get that. You cannot imagine Phil

Taylor, with three darts in his hand, aiming at the double ten, will

fail to take it out. There it is. It is 9-3. He is two legs from the

title. That is better from van Gerwen. Is it too late? Is it too

late from van Gerwen byes -- is it too late for van Gerwen? The

scoreline is well in the favour of the Power. Two legs away from

victory and the title. He may need a couple of nine darters, Michael van

Gerwen. He has had two this week, but he left them in Barnsley.

Looking for a good setup. That is not bad. The difficulty he has got,

it is breaking Taylor. The weight Taylor is playing, you would think

he would have to do it in four visits. He is not doing it.

For an 11 dart leg, that does not matter. You get the feeling they

needed an 11 darter to get himself going. Yes, that is what he needs.

He was quite a long way of the double. When you have missed with

your first visit, it puts pressure on the next one. That will make him

feel better. Will he believe he can still win

this, Michael van Gerwen? Not that this point. He knows he has not

played well, he has a long way behind. He knows there is a massive

task ahead. As we have said all along, when Taylor has been in

front, he needs to get to -- two or three legs to get into the groove.

He is not going to get scrappy legs to get back into the match when he

is 9-4 bank. How does he get back into the grave? First job first, get

this leg done and move onto the next one. He has not got the rhythm that

we are so used to seeing from van Gerwen. Scoring is his greatest a

set. Big 180 squares. It has not happened. Some of the big finishes

we have seen over the weekend, it has not happened. He stares down at

his darts in the background, Michael van Gerwen. Phil Taylor peppers the

treble 20 with another 140. He is just one leg and a bit away now.

It should stay there. There is leg after leg where Michael is leaving

himself too much to do. That is 180. Will he get the opportunity to take

the leg. He seems to be doing it at the end of the leg and not the

start. This is for 10-4 Taylor. Now, a big opportunity for van Gerwen. It

is the stealing of the leg that will make him feel good. He gets it. Back

to 9-5. That was not against the throw, importantly. If he can just

make this one. Is that the turning point? Suddenly veered as a spring

in the Dutchman's step. He was on was that the point of no return.

Back comes Taylor. He has got to keep this power

scoring to take this leg. Again, he has missed the treble. He started

the leg with the maximum, but he has not followed it up. He has hit seven

maximums, Michael van Gerwen, to Phil Taylor's four. The difference

has been the 140s. Taylor has hit 14, van Gerwen, just seven. Another

visit without a big treble. Even a ton on the last two visits would

have put him in prime position. You feel this is the last opportunity

for him to get his teeth into the match. He will come back for 81,

will Phil Taylor. It was the middle bit of the leg that hard for van

Gerwen. Yes. Yes, indeed. On the brink of

the title now, Phil Taylor. One leg away. You can see what that means to

Phil Taylor. He has basically extinguished the chance that Michael

van Gerwen had created to try and claw his way back into the match. He

was looking to go to 9-6, but that bull's-eye puts Phil "the Power"

Taylor one leg away. Michael van Gerwen had a 180 and 171, in a leg

in which he had the darts, and he did not have a dart at a double. He

hits another maximum. I am sure these two players were dreaming of

Champions League glory. Saturday afternoon. It looks like Phil Taylor

is going to take the title, unless we have something extraordinary

happening from van Gerwen. He is in the last chance saloon,

Michael van Gerwen. He cannot afford to lose another leg. He is five down

with six to play. He has not produced it throw upon throw. He has

not hit the big scores. Not that every visit. We are so used to that.

Maybe that defeat last night against Taylor really did hurt him. It is

match point. Championship point to Phil Taylor. 114 for the title.

Double 17 seals it for the Power. The inaugural Champions League Of

Darts scores to Phil Taylor. He has been imperious all weekend. Five

victories from five. Five easy victories from five. Is he enjoying

himself? You bet. Congratulations, Phil Taylor. In his career, he has

claimed more than one mountain and you always felt he was somewhere

near the summit. To date is at the top. He has beaten Michael van

Gerwen to be the Champions League darts champion. He is enjoying the

moment. The crowd have loved it, we have loved it. I hope you have

enjoyed it at home. Phil Taylor is the man.

Ladies and gentlemen, you deserved a magnificent final, and you got one.

Now it is time for our presentation. Please welcome the chief executive

of the Professional Darts Corporation, Mr Matthew Porter, and

the UK marketing manager for the sponsor, Mr Chris Watson. Ladies and

gentlemen, I am sure you would like to show your appreciation for our

runner-up, receiving a ?50,000 cheque and the trophy. That goes to

a young man having an incredible year. Mighty Michael van Gerwen.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for a!

Our winner, receiving ?100,000, the magnificent trophy, and, the very

first time ever in history, the University Champions League of Darts

champion, Phil The Power Taylor! Take it in, Phil. Enjoy that moment.

You told me, young Mr Taylor, that you were going to take it slowly and

go out quietly. I did! It's what I wanted to do. It's fantastic. I

really appreciate the Cardiff crowd. Some of these at the front here

really got behind me. Come on, Phil. They are brilliant. Thank you,

Cardiff. Take a look at that trophy. Yours will be the first ever name on

it. I'm over the moon with this. I really am. Just to get to the final

was tough. This is the top eight players in the world. This isn't a

Muppet show, trust me. This is hard work. To play three games in a day

for me was tough. I was worried about the final. I ran out of

energy, and was dropping down a bit, but I just seem to click at the

right time. You've got to go out and play. Talk to me about Michael

again. He's been playing so much darts recently, to come into this in

the form he was. Michael is brilliant. He's been playing so

well. But I think he's been playing too much, and it showed in the

final. Michael's better than that. He plays tournaments week in, week

out. He's probably played 12 days out of 14. It's difficult. Michael,

come in. Phil said it there that you've been playing a lot of darts.

Was it too much for you tonight? I don't want to say too much. But I

know I can do a lot better. He was the better player. He won all his

games this weekend. I can only save fair play to Phil. It's been awhile

since he won a big tournament. One of the things is, unfortunately, you

cannot win all the time. I feel good. I feel fantastic, to be fair,

but I've let myself down this weekend. I think they disagree with

that. A quick word on all those who have been supporting you this

weekend. They've been brilliant. They did well, and I hope I can show

them more next time when I'm here for the Premier League. Hope to see

you soon, everyone. I'm disappointed. Disappointed with

myself, I'm back need to have a moment of rest. To lift this trophy

is great. We will see you for a while yet. You will be in for a

while yet? The last time I was what Cheng this was an 1992. Will you be

back to defend it? Of course I will. Sorry, I didn't hear you. Of course

I will be back. You heard it. He's coming back next year. Ladies and

gentlemen, your 2016 champion. Wonderful work from Caroline Barker

there with Phil Taylor. Absolutely brilliant. He was absolutely

wonderful. I really enjoyed that interview. Mike Gregory, that is the

funniest thing I've heard all weekend, and it came from Phil

Taylor. What did you think about Phil Taylor there's saying that

Michael is playing too much? He may have a point. If Michael is winning,

he's confident and playing well. So he doesn't want to have brakes, as

the young player. He may want to address that. It's a busy schedule

at the end of the year. When you are winning, you just want to carry on

playing. What you cannot see is people in their seats jumping up and

down. They are really far away from where Phil is. There are very few

sports men or women who could do that to a live crowd. Absolutely

right. If you look at snooker, their crowns don't get this big. Darts

crowds are getting bigger all the time. You are playing up to -- in

front of up to 1100 people sometimes. And they were so

respectful to all the players as they were playing. It was great to

hear Phil saying that there was a group of players at the front who

were saying, come on, Phil, you can do this. Yes, sometimes you need a

little kick from the front row. Stand up for Sid Waddell. Yes, we

saw that. Back to the point about Phil Taylor. There are very few

sports stars who could do this to a crowd. In snooker, they have Ronnie

O'Sullivan. Whenever he performs, he puts bums on seats, people buy the

tickets. It's exactly the same for this bloke. Phil is in the same

bracket. He's a legend. The best player to play the game. And the

crowd still love him. They want him on top. He's done well this weekend

to use that to his advantage. The crowd has been with him all the way.

He's been the best player this weekend. 11-5 it finished. When you

look at the matches they have had, it has been pretty tight. 11-9

recently in the Sydney Masters final, for examples. Tight matches,

but today it finished 11-5. We have to take things into consideration. I

do think Michael van Gerwen was empty in the tank. First leg, very

scrappy. The first leg after the break, van Gerwen starts to charge,

Ann Taylor stops it immediately. The 15th leg was enormous. Double 18

left by van Gerwen, and then Phil Taylor hits and 81 checkout, which

stops van Gerwen completely. He was never going to win after that. You

said that Michael has to keep Phil on nine, because when he hits ten,

it's all over. Keeping Phil on nine, he's keeping pressure on him. But

once he hit ten, Michael's got to be nigh on perfect Windows legs. Six

darts in the middle that let that leg slip away, and then the match

slipped away. That great moment when he did the trademark point, and just

looked so call. He did, because he knew the importance of that moment.

He knew he had him. We will see a lot of these guys for the rest of

the season. I think it's important for van Gerwen to get some rest now,

before the world Grand Prix in a week's time. Not long to rest, but

Phil Taylor will be very dangerous in Dublin next week. Phil Taylor is

the first champion in the Champions League of Darts. Has it captured the

imagination of the public? It has. We have been very privileged to be

part of the coverage here with you. Mark is very privileged to be here

as well. Wales is the perfect place to have this tournament. Wales is a

hotbed of darts. Can't wait to come back next year. Players could

showcase their darts. It culminated in the dream final, and Phil was the

standout player of the weekend. He never looked in danger, and is a

worthy champion. It has been a great pleasure having you on the BBC and

doing this show with you. Phil Taylor is the winner of the

Champions League. A very familiar name on yet another darts trophy.

Phil proving he's still got The Power.