Vincent van der Voort has hit out at the Amsterdam crowd's treatment of Luke Littler during Friday night's World Series of Darts Finals clash, insisting the Dutch fans showed a lack of respect for the world champion. Speaking on the Darts Draait Door podcast alongside Damian Vlottes, the former professional argued that Danny Noppert missed a golden opportunity to knock Littler out — and that the crowd's relentless booing crossed a line.
Littler eventually edged the contest 6-4, but it was anything but straightforward. Noppert led 3-1 and had chances to pull away, and Van der Voort believes Littler was there for the taking. "I think Noppert missed a golden opportunity to knock him out," he said. "It was a vulnerable Littler and he missed a lot of doubles by his standards. He was there to be got at from all angles. But then you also need a bit of the form of the day. And Noppert played below his usual level." Precisely because Littler did not reach his usual heights, Van der Voort believes the defeat will hit Noppert even harder. "He didn't get thrashed, but I think the disappointment might actually be even greater for Noppert."
It wasn't just the on-stage action that drew attention. Throughout the match, Littler repeatedly clashed with the crowd in Amsterdam. When he recovered from 3-1 down to level at 3-3, the Englishman responded to the jeers from the stands by cupping his ears. Van der Voort could understand that reaction, feeling part of the Dutch crowd went too far in their support for Noppert. "Why do you have to boo him so much as a crowd?" Van der Voort wondered. "You're not giving him enough respect for how big this lad already is. You should be happy he's here. He's a truly unique player. We've never seen this before." Littler was booed by the Amsterdam crowd for virtually the entire match.
Van der Voort found it natural that the crowd backed Noppert en masse, but said there is a difference between supporting your compatriot and trying to unsettle his opponent. "You know you're for Noppert. Fine. But you don't have to boo him like that. Just get behind Noppert fully." He even felt the focus gradually shifted more to Littler than to Noppert. "They were more busy trying to get to him than cheering on Noppert." For a moment, that approach seemed to have an effect. Littler looked irritated and nowhere near as clinical as darts fans have come to expect, but Noppert simply failed to capitalise. "Noppert just didn't play well. And then you have to keep playing well," Van der Voort concluded.
A striking moment followed after Noppert hit a 180. The Frisian celebrated his maximum next to Littler, who then stepped back. Van der Voort said there was no malicious intent from Noppert. "I know Noppert doesn't do that on purpose to put him off, he just wanted some interaction with the crowd. Littler stepped back. But at that point Noppert actually drifted more off his game." Noppert then apologised, but Littler barely reacted, according to the duo. Vlottes therefore wondered whether Noppert should have been a touch tougher in that moment. "Actually, Noppert might have needed to be a bit more of a b*****d there." Van der Voort agreed. "Yes, and then just say sorry after the match. Sometimes that's just how it is." At the same time, he said that simply doesn't fit Noppert's character. "He's not someone who plays games with his opponent or tries to knock someone out of their rhythm. So on the one hand that does him credit, and you just hoped he'd be a bit more of a b*****d."
