Vanavond wordt bepaald wie de Premier League kampioen wordt van 2016. De strijd gaat tussen Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson & Adrian Lewis. (...)
Over de afgelopen 15 weken waren deze vier speler het beste. Vanaf begin februari hebben de mannen elke week gegooid en daarmee punten bij elkaar gespeeld.
De nummer 1 van de wereld, Michael van Gerwen, heeft doordat hij in Rotterdam won £25.000 bonus gekregen.
De Nederlander, die ongeslagen is sinds de eerste week, speelt in de halve finale tegen Adrian Lewis.
VAN GERWEN: "It was a big night for last week and there was a lot of pressure, but I handled it and I'm proud of myself - but this is a new week,''
"I want to win the title and I'm really looking forward to playing at The O2 and I'm desperate to win because I haven't won it for the last two years.''
"I'll need to play as well as possible and I'll need to if I'm going to win this title. I feel fantastic but I need to show it on Thursday. You can't afford any mistakes, so I'll be 100 percent focused on the title."
Lewis die voor het laatst in de Play-Offs stond in 2011, en toen de finale verloor van Gary Anderson, wil vanavond voor de eerste keer de Premier League beker omhoog kunnen houden.
LEWIS: "I'm looking forward to playing Michael and I'm happy to be back in the Play-Offs because it's been five years now since I was last in the semis, it's a straight knockout, it's a different ball-game and I can't wait.''
"I've always said I'm a better player when it's knockout and that's what this is now, and I don't fear anybody.''
"My scoring hasn't been fantastic, certainly over the last few weeks, but I've finished well. As long as I combine the two on Thursday then I've got a great chance."
In de andere halve finale staan Phil Taylor en Gary Anderson tegenover elkaar. Taylor is dit jaar terug nadat hij vorig jaar, voor het eerst in de geschiedenis van de Premier League, de Play-Offs niet haalde.
TAYLOR: "It hurt me missing out last year, it really did, and it's been a massive goal to get back into the Play-Offs - but now I'm here I'm focusing on trying to win the title,
"Qualifying was the hard part and it's brilliant to get through because it's been the toughest season ever, but I've loved it. I'm relaxed now and I can enjoy Thursday night.
"I want to play proper darts and enjoy it because players don't seem to miss any more - you miss a double and they knock you out. I think the crowd are in for a treat on Thursday and it will be a good match against Gary because I think we'll be both on form."
Anderson gaat vanavond proberen de titel voor de derde keer op zijn naam te schrijven, net als in 2011 en 2015. In deze jaren eindigde hij ook als derde in de groepsfase van het toernooi.
ANDERSON: "It's been a hard 15 weeks and the boys have played well, you've got the top four in the world so it's got the makings of a great night. All the boys will be up for it and we all want to lift that title.
"I've done well to get into the top four and it's worked out well, and we'll see what happens now on Thursday because I've got a very tough semi-final to focus on first. I've finished third twice before and gone on to win it so hopefully history will repeat itself."
Betway Premier League Play-Offs
Donderdag 19 mei
The O2, Londen
Halve finales
Michael van Gerwen v Adrian Lewis
Phil Taylor v Gary Anderson
Best of 19 legs
Finale
van Gerwen/Lewis v Taylor/Anderson
Best of 21 legs