Summary

  • Follow live text updates from the final of Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton

  • Teenager Luke Littler faces qualifier Martin Lukeman from 19:45 GMT

  • Littler beat Gary Anderson 16-15 to reach final on first Grand Slam appearance

  • The 17-year-old comes from 11-7 and 13-9 down to win final-leg thriller

  • Lukeman beat fellow qualifier Mickey Mansell 16-12

  • Get Involved: #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Postpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell 3-0 Martin Lukeman

    As John Part says, both of these players have a fairly methodical throwing style.

    Martin Lukeman hits his second 180 of the match to open up leg three, but he's struggled on the doubles early on and Mickey Mansell takes advantage to secure a 3-0 lead.

  2. Postpublished at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell 2-0 Martin Lukeman

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    The first session, or even two, it is about finding your game. Pick a target, finding your range and getting a flow into your game. These two players are quite deliberate players though.

  3. Postpublished at 13:26 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell 2-0 Martin Lukeman

    Mickey Mansell gets the first break of throw with a clinical 96 checkout.

  4. Postpublished at 13:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell 1-0 Martin Lukeman

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    Both of these players need to find the awareness to realise the other player will feel the same, maybe even worse, with both playing in their first major semi-final.

    They need to recognise their weaknesses but also their opponent's.

  5. Postpublished at 13:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell 1-0 Martin Lukeman

    Mickey Mansell misses double 14 for a 148 checkout, Martin Lukeman can't take out 59 and Mansell returns to mop up the opening leg.

  6. Game on!published at 13:22 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell 0-0 Martin Lukeman

    The biggest match of darts that both Mickey Mansell and Martin Lukeman have played in their careers to date is under way.

    Mansell throws first and registers a steady ton, Lukeman responds with 85.

  7. 'Lukeman v Anderson final'published at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time

    John Part
    Former PDC world champion on Sky Sports

    I really admired Martin Lukeman's drive to the finish line from 10-10 against Rob Cross so I have to favour him in the first semi-final.

    I'm expecting him to play against Gary Anderson. What he showed in the quarter-final to get into the lead and keep it shows the level he still has.

  8. 'Lukeman v Littler final'published at 13:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    Glen Durrant
    Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

    I'm expecting Martin Lukeman to get over the line in the first semi-final and then I expect Luke Littler wins the most incredible semi-final we've had here.

  9. Postpublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman

    Martin Lukeman celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Martin Lukeman hugs a few friends and family as he makes his way to the stage.

    He started the tournament ranked 45th in the world, with Mickey Mansell 11 places lower.

    As mentioned earlier, neither of these men have made it to a major ranking semi-final before, but Lukeman may have a slight edge in terms of experience at the latter stages of big events.

    The 39-year-old appeared in the 2022 World Grand Prix quarter-finals and also got to the last eight of the UK Open in March, losing to eventual champion Dimitri Van den Bergh.

  10. Postpublished at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman

    Mickey Mansell throws a dartImage source, Getty Images

    Our first semi-final is almost upon us in Wolverhampton and Northern Ireland's Mickey Mansell makes his way to the stage first.

    He came through a tense last-leg decider to win his quarter-final match against Cameron Menzies on Friday.

    Mansell has played 70 legs so far in this tournament, the most of any of the four semi-finalists.

  11. Postpublished at 13:17 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman

    Semi-finalist Mickey Mansell, speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm excited, a lot of people dream of being in a semi-final of a major tournament and I'm very fortunate to be in the position I'm in at the minute."

    Mansell's opponent, Martin Lukeman: "It's a game of darts and anything can happen, but I'm confident."

  12. Postpublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman

    Glen Durrant
    Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

    I love how Martin Lukeman has spoke about his wife as a motivation and how the success of his best mate Ritchie Edhouse is a motivation as well.

    He's the favourite in this game. He's been the underdog throughout so it's how we deals with being the favourite and the prospect a televised major final later this evening.

  13. Postpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman

    The first semi-final is between two players who have never previously made it this far in a major PDC ranking event before.

    Northern Ireland's Mickey Mansell takes on England's Martin Lukeman for a place in tonight's Grand Slam final.

  14. Big names exit earlypublished at 13:10 Greenwich Mean Time

    Luke Humphries stands dejectedImage source, Getty Images

    We started with 32 players in this year's Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton and among the early casualties were the top three players in the PDC's Order of Merit rankings.

    Defending champion Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith all went out in the group phase and only one of the eight seeds, Rob Cross, made it to the quarter-finals.

  15. Postpublished at 13:08 Greenwich Mean Time

    Glen Durrant
    Former Premier League champion on Sky Sports

    It is a day of endurance. Mental strength will come into it.

    The Euro Tour is similar so Luke Littler will be used to it, and Mickey Mansell and Martin Lukeman will be going with the adrenaline.

    My one bit of advice would be to not put it all into the afternoon, think about this evening.

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:06 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcdarts, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Luke Littler to continue his outstanding 2024 with another trophy? Gary Anderson to roll back the years? Mickey Mansell or Martin Lukeman to produce a surprise?

    As ever, if you want to contribute your thoughts on today's action then you can get in touch using any of the methods above.

  17. The semi-final line-uppublished at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time

    The two semi-finals will be played in Sunday's afternoon session which starts shortly, with the final scheduled for about 19:45 GMT.

    I will be bringing you text updates of all three matches, which are the best of 31 legs, meaning 16 is the target for victory.

    • Mickey Mansell v Martin Lukeman
    • Luke Littler v Gary Anderson
  18. Postpublished at 13:00 Greenwich Mean Time

    Split image of Mickey Mansell, Martin Lukeman, Luke Littler and Gary AndersonImage source, Getty Images

    Two men appearing in their first major ranking event semi-finals, darts' newest superstar and a legend of the sport are all vying to add their name to the list of winners of the Grand Slam of Darts.

    Who will come out on top in Wolverhampton?