Taylor in Ominous Form During Regional Finals
 Phil Taylor starts as 13/8 favourite to win the 2008 Blue Square UK Open having shown some tantalising form during the Regional Qualifiers, and few would argue that the 13-time World Champion is looking like he is back to his best form. Taylor won both the North West and Midlands Regional Finals on March 16th and 30th repsectively - the final two qualifiers - and 'The Power' then followed that with a successful defence of his US Open title.
Don't forget - we are offering Cashback on losing outright bets if any player hits a 9-dart finish in Bolton. We paid out last year after Taylor managed that feat against Wes Newton, and the way he's throwing at the moment there's every chance we will be paying out again!
See full details of our exclusive offer.
2007 News Archive
Barneveld Wins The Blue Square UK Open!
van der Voort 8-16 van Barneveld
 Raymond van Barneveld has retained his Blue Square UK Open title after defeating countryman Vincent van der Voort in the final
Barneveld came into this final as red-hot favourite and wasted no time in stamping his authority on the match; by the second interval he had built up an imposing 8-2 lead. Van der Voort maintained a respectable average throughout, racking up an impressive 6 180s, but in truth he was unable to live with Barney's ruthlessness at the oche.
The man who thrashed Phil Taylor 11-4 in the quarter-finals was in mood to show his fellow Dutchman any charity, and every department of his game looked in great shape as he showed just why he is the current World Champion.
However, even Barney seemed to suffer some nerves in leg 24 when he wasted 5 darts at a double to close the match out, though he soon recovered his composure to win the match in the very next leg.
Van der Voort fought bravely against the odds, but his characteristic quick action was no match for the machine-like efficency of Barneveld, and too often his throw was wild - particularly when going for the doubles. Whilst there were flashes of brilliance, including finishing an 86 checkout on the bull in leg 14, van der Voort's inconsistent throwing was costing him dearly as he lost leg after leg.
Barneveld picked up a winner's cheque of £30,000 as he became the first man to retain 'The FA Cup of Darts', and the way he has played throughout this tournament has been simply spell-binding.
We look forward to doing it all again in Bolton next year when Barney will be going for three in-a-row!
Darts players all flustered at the oche
 Players at this year's Blue Square UK Open Darts Championships took part in an experiment to look at the stresses associated with playing the sport at the highest level. Several of the top players including Phil Taylor and commentator Sid Waddell wore heart monitors to measure the stresses endured by these sportsmen was part of an increased focus on health in the sport and follows a recent trial which saw players wearing pedometers at the oche. The results of the pedometer tests showed that during a tournament*, players walked over 25 kilometres.
Increases in heart rate are not only the result of physical exercise but a combination of factors including environment, age and stress. Professionals such as Phil Taylor who is an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation had to endure tough conditions of 100 degree heat and 90% humidity at the Reebok Stadium as well as the noise of the crowd and pressure of playing.
The results show that the stresses of playing darts at this level are just as high as those playing other sports that are more commonly associated with endurance and physical athleticism. Phil Taylor's resting heart rate is 80-90 beats a minute but peaked at 150 during his Round Four game against opponent Peter Manley (75-80% increase). Against Raymond van Barneveld in the quarter finals he managed to control his nerves and maintain a steady heart rate of around 100 (peak of 130).
The 32 members of the public who qualified for the main tournament did not fare as well in the conditions and pub qualifier Mark Hylton hit a staggering 170 during his entire first round match against Peter Carver Even match commentator Sid Waddell suffered from nerves as he reported on the action from Bolton averaging 140 in his first commentary.
Phil Taylor commented
"This year I have taken a really hard look at myself in an effort to improve my game. I have been exercising and eating more healthily. Using heart rate monitor technology has made me realise how important it is to keep my cool in a difficult situations.. Adopting a healthier lifestyle has given me a whole round better quality of life and my concentration levels have improved, which is obviously very useful for my sport."
Raymond van Barneveld will face Vincent van der Voort in tonight's final after defeating Colin Lloyd in the second semi-final.
Van der Voort started the tournament as an 80/1 outsider with Blue Square, and it would rank as a major upset if he were to win the title here tonight - he starts as an 8-1 shot for the match, with Barney at 1-20.
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Defending champion van Barneveld produced yet another brilliant display of darts as he crushed Colin Lloyd 11-4, including a 10-dart finish in the eighth leg. Lloyd simply couldn't live with Barney as the Dutchman surged ahead early and never looked back.
Van der Voort saw off Colin Osborne 10-11 earlier this afternoon and now faces the daunting task of trying to stop 'Barney', his compatriot and red-hot favourite for the title.
Vincent made a somewhat sluggish start but regained his composure brilliantly to close the game out in the final leg after Osborne had broken the throw to level at 10-10.
The standard was not quite as high as expected with both players hitting just two 180s each, but as far as dramatic semi-finals go it was second-to-none.
Follow all the action of the final with our live results service.
Barney Stuns Taylor With Brilliant Win
Defending Blue Square UK Open champion Raymond van Barneveld has sensationally knocked Phil Taylor out with a brilliant quarter-final performace.
The Dutchman never let up against 'The Power', winning 11-4 with a wonderful display of darts that Taylor simply couldn't match on the day. Barney is now the strong favourite to win the tournament and retain his crown as UK Open champion.
Colin Lloyd is now charged with trying to stop Barneveld after he booked his semi-final spot with a brilliant 11-6 win over Steve Hine. Lloyd showed unbelievable guts to turn a 4-0 defecit around, winning 10 out of 11 legs before eventually closing the game out.
Vicnent van der Voort was first through to the semi-finals with a nail-biting 11-10 victory over Terry Jenkins. He will now face Colin Osborne who defeated Alan Green 11-6 on Board Two.
Terry Jenkins had raced into a 5-0 lead at the break, only to see van der Voort battle back to take the next 6 legs on the trot. The Dutchamn's nerve had looked to have gone after Jenkins eventually levelled at 10-10, but he held out for a fine victory.
The game on Board Two saw Osborne dominate as he built up a massive 10-3 lead, and despite a gutsy fightback from Green, he eventually closed the game out to book his date with van der Voort in the semi-finlas.
As always you can keep right up to date here at Bluesdarts with our results service.
Quarter-Final Draw is Made
The draw for the quarter-finals of the Blue Square UK Open has been made, and Raymond van Barneveld has sensationally been drawn against Phil Taylor. Whilst this match-up would be many people's dream final, it will certainly make for an enthralling start to the final day's play.
Colin Lloyd faces Steve Hine, with Vincent van der Voort v Terry Jenkins and Colin Osborne v Alan Green completing the lineup of afternoon matches.
See the full draw and order of play
Day Three Comes to a Close
The first player to progress from Round Six was Alan Green who beat Darren Webster 11-8, and he will be joined by Colin Lloyd in the quarter-finals after 'Jaws' beat Kevin Painter 11-9 in a brilliant Main Stage match.
Colin Osborne defeated Mervyn King in yet another thriller at the Reebok Stadium, the Deby man prevailing 11-10 in a gripping encounter.
Steve Hine will also be in the hat after a brilliant fightback in his match with Colin Monk. Hine trailed 8-4 but won 7 legs on the trot to record a brilliant 11-8 win on Board Three.
Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor are also both through to the quarter-finals after beating Wayne Jones and Dennis Priestley respectively.
Check all the results from Day Three
Round Five Produces a 9-Dart Finish!
Phil Taylor has hit a brilliant 9-dart finish in his clash with Wes Newton that has thrilled the crowd here at the Reebok Stadium. But fans who placed an Outright bet before the tournament will be even more thrilled - we will now refund all losing stakes on the Outright market!
The brilliant darts just continues at Bolton, with Raymond van Barneveld winning a thrilling encounter with John Part in the final leg to take the match 11-10. The game singled out as the pick of the round certainly didn't disappoint, with these two awesome players producing a spectacle that will live long in the memory.
The other major story is Michael van Gerwen's 7-11 defeat to the superb Colin Osbourne on the Main Stage. Osbourne had the full backing of the Bolton crowd and was visibly lifted as he recorded a famous victory. Mark Dudbridge recorded a famous victory over Adrian Lewis by 11 legs to 7 on Stage Two.
On Board Three, Alex Roy and Vincent van der Voort's match was a short-lived affair, the Dutchman cruising home 11-3. The tie of the round sees defending UK Open champion Raymond van Barneveld take on John Part next on the main stage.
See all the results from Round Five as they come in
Round Five Draw
The draw for Round Five has been made, with the only remaining Punch Taverns qualifier Sam Rooney drawn against former World Champion Richie Burnett - the man who put Jelle Klassen out this afternoon.
The tie of the round sees defending UK Open champion Raymond van Barneveld take on John Part.
See full details of the draw for Round Five
Round Four Results
Phil Taylor put on a fine display on the Main Stage in his match with old adversary Peter Manley, running out 11-3 winner without ever really being stretched. Raymond van Barneveld was another emphatic winner, the Dutchman sweeping John MaGowan aside with an 11-1 win.
Michael van Gerwen joins those in the hat for Round Five after an 11-8 win over Tony Eccles, and James Wade is also through after defeating 2004 champion Roland Scholten 11-5.
Mervyn King is also safely through after a convincing 11-4 victory over Chris Mason on the Main Stage. On Board Two, Adrian Lewis saw off a spirited challenge from Barrie Bates to take their match 11-9.
Punch Taverns qualifier Sam Rooney continues to impress - he beat Gary Walding 11-6 on Board 6 and goes into the hat for Round Five along with John Part, an 11-7 winner over Garrett Gray..
See all the results from Round 4
Third Round of the Blue Square UK Open
2004 finalist John Part came in at the Third Round stage against Kevin Dowling and was made to work very hard for his 8-5 win, whilst Mark Dudbridge beat Ronnie Baxter by the same score on the Main Stage.
On Board 5, Michael van Gerwen racked up his fourth win of the tournament, though he didn't have it all his own way against Dave Ladley as he won 8-5. Jelle Klassen is also through after an 8-2 win over Tony Martin.
The upset of the day saw Brendan Dolan beat Bob Anderson 8-3 in the final game on Board One, the Northern Irish international producing some brilliant darts to send 'The Rhinestone Cowboy' packing.
View all the results from Day Two
Hylton Stuns Carver in the Preliminary Round
Cliff Lazarenko cruised past Chris Dalglish in their Preliminary Round clash, running out 8-1 winner in the first match on the main stage. Daglish was well fancied to pull off a famous upset in the very first match of the tournament, but he was unable to put Lazarenko under any real pressure as 'Big Cliff' booked his place in the First Round.
In the next match on the main stage, Punch Taverns qualifier Mark Hylton stunned American Ray Carver with a fine 8-5 win. 'Mile High' scored and finished superbly to cause the first notable upset of the tournament.
Michael van Gerwen began his Blue Square UK Open challenge with a comfortable victory over Punch Taverns Qualifier Chris McTernan in Round One. Van Gerwen was in sparkling form against the Adhesives Technician from Bacup in Lancashire, justifying his position as third favourite for the title with an 8-1 victory that was never really in doubt.
Check all the results from Thursday's action.
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