Stephen Bunting delivered a skin-saving 160 checkout to defeat Danny Noppert in a last-leg decider at the European Championship, with Noppert missing the chance to win. The dramatic finish semi-summed up Bunting's fraught route to Dortmund, having only secured his place in the field last week in Maastricht.
Speaking to the media including DartsNews with great relief, Bunting said: "I was out, wasn't I? I was literally, to be fair, this time last week I wasn't even in the tournament. I'd done well last week and, yeah, really proud of that 160. I took extra time, went back to the water table, composed myself, got to the back of the oche, composed myself again and thought, listen, these are the last three darts in the tournament. You either go in or you're going home and, yeah, thankfully, the first treble landed sweet. The second dart was in and the last dart, I closed my eyes and it was in tops."
Reflecting on the contrast with 12 months ago, Bunting admitted: "Yeah, it's not the best feeling in the world, to be honest. I think this time last year I was number one coming into this. I lost with a 109 average against Chris Dobey. So, yeah, I think I've snuck under the radar this year. I still believe I'm playing really well. Obviously, I'm yet to do it on the big stages, but I'm sure it's coming. I know how good I can be and, yeah, I'll be a thorn in someone's side this week, that's for sure."
Asked to explain his form, Bunting pointed to the rising standard: "I think just the standard of the players is getting better every year. I think there's been so many games this year again. I've lost with 100 averages or high-90 averages and, yeah, I think the important thing is not to get yourself too down. You can get dragged into the position where you are in the world and stuff like that as well. Obviously, coming off the back of it, for me, I felt like it was a successful Premier League campaign, but then obviously we're fighting to get back in it for next year, aren't we? So I know I need to produce my best starts to be able to do that for next year."
Bunting has recently increased the weight of his dart from his signature 18g barrel up towards 21g, and he believes the work in practice is paying off. "No, honestly, what I'm doing in the practice room is crazy. So I believe it's only a matter of time before you guys start seeing it. Yeah, I think there were a lot of tired darts last week, hence the change down to a 21. I was throwing a lot of low darts, but I felt like I was doing that tonight as well. I think there's just a lot of tension in the arm. You want to win, you're trying too hard and, yeah, I think that is the certain position I put myself in."
Looking ahead, Bunting said: "I'm still in now. A certain Luke Humphries is ill and not here, so that makes it a tiny bit easier, but I've still got a difficult game next between Searle and Huybrechts; so I won't overlook that. I'll make the most of my day off tomorrow and make sure I'm 100% fit coming back on Saturday. I can't wait and I'm really looking forward to winning. Who knows, 21, 23? I don't know."
Bunting also addressed the ranking money he is defending: "Yes, of course, and I've put myself in that position. Obviously, I had a great World Championship the other year and I know I'm defending that money, but I also know that I'm capable of doing that. Obviously, the increase in prize money has made it slightly easier to defend. I need to get to the quarter-finals now and those semis, but listen, I go into every tournament wanting to win. I've not been well over the last two weeks. I've been full of flu. I'm literally breathing through the other side, but for some reason, you can ask my manager. I was really lethargic and tired yesterday and, yes, I was a bit grumpy. I'm not normally like that, and you can ask him again. You guys see me every week and I'm normally very laughable. I'm always joking in the practice rooms and that. I've lost that over the last few weeks, I think, just because I didn't feel too good. I feel like I'm getting better every day. I've given it to Theo now, so he's coughing at home and the missus can deal with him."
On the 160 finish itself, Bunting added: "When the first treble went in, I thought I've got a chance. When the second one went in, I thought I've got a big chance. Then, obviously, the tops went in. It was a great moment. I don't think Danny was too happy, but they're the moments that happen in darts that you remember for a long time. Who knows? I could go on to win this tournament now. Everyone will talk about that 160. It's all about regrouping, having a good day off tomorrow, coming back and feeling fresh. We go again. Like I said, my performance will be different. There were a lot of things flying through my brain today: the change in weight, obviously getting to the venue and not feeling too well over the last few weeks. This time last week, I wasn't here. I'm forever grateful."
Discussing his equipment change, Bunting explained: "I think you're always looking to get that extra percentage. For me, I always wanted to go to a K-Flex. I was having problems with my flight and stem. I was losing my flight off my stem quite a lot. The only way I could do that was obviously to increase the length of the barrel and shorten my stem. The K-Flex, which is working really well, just worked fantastic there for the 160. I believe the more I play with these darts, the better I'm going to get. I literally have thrown for 15–20 minutes with them, 21 grams. To be one of the best players in the world, I know he didn't play to his best, but I can take a lot of confidence away from that. Obviously, the run I had last week, getting to the semi-final as well, and the 160 finish. There are lots of different bits of positives that I can take. Like I said, the day after tomorrow, I'll relax. I'll make sure I'm ready for Saturday, coming back, and you'll see a different Stephen Bunting on Saturday."
