Luke Humphries dumped out of World Darts Championship after ‘I’ll win it’ vow

Luke Humphries has been knocked out of the World Darts Championship after predicting he would win the tournament.

The World No.2 was beaten 5-1 by Gian van Veen, who performed brilliantly at Alexandra Palace on Thursday to reach the semi-finals.

Getty

Humphries was a major favourite, alongside rival Luke Littler, to go all the way and lift the Sid Waddell trophy for a second time.

However, 23-year-old Van Veen stormed into a 3-1 set lead as he averaged over 100 and capitalised on errors.

And then in the fifth set, Humphries failed to check out 95 to win, leaving the door open for his opponent to swoop in.

It allowed the Dutchman the chance to extend his lead and he did, taking out 25 to move 4-1 up and one set away from glory.

He continued to pile the pressure on Humphries after that, eventually wrapping up victory with a dominant fifth set.

Humphries, who became world champion in 2024, missed out on securing a meeting with Gary Anderson in the semi-finals.

He was sent home by Van Veen, just a few weeks after he predicted he would win the tournament at Ally Pally.

The 30-year-old said in November, after losing to Littler in the Grand Slam of Darts final, that he’d come out on top.

“I am really proud,” Humphries began in his on-stage interview.

“It is three finals on the trot I’ve lost. I’m ready for the Worlds now. I am going to win the Worlds.

Getty

“I am declaring war on him [Littler]. I’m playing good. Tiredness just crept in at the end there.

“We’re going to go to war at the World Championships, we’ll see who is the one there.”

Humphries is now out of the tournament, while reigning champion Littler remains in and will face Ryan Searle in the semi-finals.

‘Over the moon’

Speaking on stage after knocking Humphries out in the quarter-finals, Van Veen said: “This smile won’t go for 24 hours, I’m so over the moon. I felt really, really good today, incredible. 

“He’s a fantastic player. Whenever I play Luke, I know I have to perform at my best to even have a chance against him. 

“The first couple of sets I felt comfortable, but he was better scoring-wise, but he missed doubles and I took my chances and as soon as I took the third set, I started to feel comfortable.

He added: “100% [the biggest win of my career], it’s probably this win tonight, over the moon.”

Van Veen put in a superb performance to knock out the No.2 seed with ease, averaging over 105 in the match.

He handed Humphries his joint-heaviest defeat in the World Championship, whilst jumping up to World No.3 himself.

The rising star and European champion is now looking to claim a world title after reaching his maiden semi in this event.

Van Veen will take on Anderson on Friday evening at 7:30pm.