chris dobey is more than capable, — drama.e, but did he get nervous yesterday trying to close up and match _ yesterday trying to close up and match so — yesterday trying to close up and match so if he does that to michael van gerwen— match so if he does that to michael van gerwen he willjump all over it. so i think— van gerwen he willjump all over it. so i think michael van gerwen will come _ so i think michael van gerwen will come but — so i think michael van gerwen will come but chris dobey will have his moments — the man who has captivated the darts scene and beyond in the last 12 months is luke littler. stephen bunting stands between him and a second straight final. we can cross live to alexandra palace now and chat to our correspondent natalie pirks. it is hard that we are talking but luke littler, who is only 17. he cannot luke littler, who is only 17. he: cannot legally buy a pint but looking tonight to reach back to back finals of the world championships. this time last year it was a 164th in the world and in his first

michael van gerwen first up, absolutely dismantling the man from bedlington, chris dobey, the men's numbere—time world champion, the dutchman comprehensive, averaging a shade under 100 en route towards his seventh world final. luke littler after that with an equally dominant performance of his own, was superb. right from the off this time, no signs of nerves to begin. and stephen bunting, the world number eight, an accomplished player, a masters champion, standing absolutely no chance with the numbers, the shared dart history that luke littler demonstrated. just far too good for bunting. so a 6—1 win for both those finalists in the semifinal, it will be a difficult one to call on friday night at the palace. michael van gerwen faces the 17—year—old sensation who, remember, is in a second consecutive world championship final of his still fledgling career on friday night. well, michael van gerwen hasn't had the best of seasons, but was in a bullish mood after his semifinal win. i have been in this position a few more times, and the moment people do not believe in me, that is the moment i have

littler, the runner up last year, beat stephen bunting, van gerwen brushed aside chris dobey — both winningto 1. from alexandra palace in london, here's james gregg. it is the final that everybody who came to alexandra palace and certainly those who have tickets for the final on friday were hoping for. michael van gerwen first up, absolutely dismantling their man from bedlington, the men number 15, far too strong was the three—time world champion, the dutchman comprehensive, averaging a shade under 100 en route towards his seventh world final. luke littler after that with an equally dominant performance of his own was superb, right from the off this time, no signs of nerves to begin, and stephen bunting the world number eight and accomplished player, a masters champion, standing absolutely no chance with the numbers, the shared data history that luke littler demonstrated. just far too good for bunting, so 6—1 a win for both those finalists in the semifinal, a difficult one to call on a friday night at the palace. michael van gerwen raises the 17—year—old sensation who is in a second consecu

the first of the semi—finals of the world darts is underway — chris dobey is taking on the three timeman is leading the way 3 sets to i — the first to six will book their place in the final. you can follow it live on the bbc sport website. the tournament favourite, 17 year old luke littler, takes on stephen bunting later. and that's all the sport for now. in a small area of eastern moldova, the new year celebrations were put on ice. quite literally. the separatist enclave of transnistria remains loyal to moscow. there's russian troops on the ground there and its economy is fully dependent on russian gas. for that loyalty, the gas comes free. but access to it comes via a transit route that passes ukraine. and that path was cut in the early hours of new year's day — an agreement which was signed in 2019 between kyiv and the russia energy giant gazprom expired. the ukrainian president refuses to extend it, and so the taps have been turned off. for now, only hospitals and critical infrastructure in transnistria are being heated. there's concerns over electricity too. the main power plant

three time champion michael van gerwen plays chris dobey in the other semi final.ews — as agnes keleti, the oldest living olympic medal winner, has died. she was 103. keleti passed away after going into hospital with pneumonia a week ago. she won a total of 10 olympic medals in gymnastics, including five golds, for hungary at the 1952 helsinki games and the 1956 melbourne games. and that's all the sport for now. 0n the website you can keep up—to—date with all the latest news and we will have more for you later. goodbye. from march to magic and music to bradford, will take centre stage this year. the year—long programme of events will feature the likes of david hockney, from the city. and will aim to try to challenge the perceptions. it is your own fault. don't want no negative talk. who else is it going to be? southampton. the uk city of culture is southampton? don't make me laugh. what is up with southampton? i have never been. but it is not bradford.— but it is not bradford. yes, bradford. _ but it is not bradford. yes, bradford, and _ but it is not bradford. yes

the second match but first up it's the three time former champion, michael van gerwin, against chris dobey last four for the first time. i fourfor the first time. i four for the first time. feel confident. i i fourfor the first time. feel confident. i have beatei on ifeel confident. i have beaten him on the big stage before, i have beaten him plenty of times, i think and i have getting rid of the thought i cannot beat him and i now know i can so i won a couple of years back in the cup final and that will be in the back of my mind and i feel confident going into tonight. great britain are out of the united cup, beaten by poland in the quarterfinals. billy harris put up a vailiant fight in the first match but was eventually beaten in straight sets by hubert hurcatch 7—6, 7—5. katie boulter took the opening set against the world number two, iga swiantek. but the five time grand slam winner fought back to win the match in three sets. poland will now face kazakhstan for a place in the final. i don't know, i'm just exhausted, you know? i'm happy that i won, so i don't need the play mixed doubles