BARNEY NOT SCARED OF LITTLER AHEAD OF CLASH

RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD insists he’s “not scared” of Luke Littler ahead of their European Championship clash in Germany.

Five-time world champion Van Barneveld says he’s unfazed facing the teen sensation despite admitting age and health issues have taken their toll on his game.

Warrington thrower Littler could become world No. 1 this weekend if results go in his favour at Dortmund.

But ‘Barney’ believes he can still cause a shock and show ‘The Nuke’ that he is still the top dog at the oche.

He said: “In all honesty, if you play best of 19 legs or best of 21, normally the better player will win.

“We all saw this years ago with Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor and myself. So, in the best of 11, it can go either way.

“I’m playing good. I’m focused. I’m not scared of him. I know he’s an amazing player.

“I’m just going to prepare myself like any other game and see what happens.

“But I’m 58 years old playing against an 18-year-old that’s full of energy and I’m like an old dog.

“Like a younger dog, they want to play. They’re exciting. But an older dog is like, ‘guys, leave me alone’. And that’s a bit harder at the moment.

“I don’t have the 100 per cent focus I used to have for all these years because you grow older. Your muscles are different, we spoke about my diabetes, that’s still not right.

“I just play the board and hopefully I can play a good game and there’s always a chance you can beat them.

“If I can beat the current world champion, the world No 2, that would be a massive result, of course.”

If the Dutchman prevails , he’ll face James Wade or Mike De Decker next, then possibly Luke Humphries in the quarters.

But Van Barneveld is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

He added: “I don’t look further [than this first game] yet because there’s no point.

“I’m not in a position to do that, you know. I’m doing OK, but it’s not like the old Ray anymore, I’m playing quarters and semis.

“I have to be realistic. For the last two years, all the majors I go out in the first round. So I’m not going to say that I will survive this.

“I want to, my head is saying ‘yeah, I can’. But to be realistic, it’s not happening for me at the moment. Maybe in the future, who can say?

“The World Championship can be anyone’s tournament and I’m already in my head to have a good result there.”

Seven-times major winner Littler revealed two years ago how he had admired Van Barneveld as a child playing darts, calling his opponent a ‘legend’.

Now Littler goes into their match as a clear favourite, but Van Barneveld still has some advice for the 18-year-old despite being “flabbergasted” by his ability.

World No. 2 Littler is returning to compete in Germany having suggested earlier this year that he did not overly enjoy playing in the country, having been booed at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich.

Van Barneveld explained: “I don’t think it’s clever to say you don’t like to play here or there.

“But he’s young and we all know this. And you have to learn.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.