“I was intrigued”: when a darts player stops in the middle of a World Cup match… to watch a spectator down a pitcher of beer in one go

Qualified for the round of 16 of the World Darts Championship, the Englishman Nathan Aspinall stopped in the middle of the match, Saturday December 28, to watch a spectator… down a pitcher of beer in one go.

It is probably only in darts that you can see this: the world number 12 stopping in the middle of a World Championship match to take a few moments to observe the incredible crowd at Alexandra Palace, north of London.

While leading 3-0 in his round of 16 match against his compatriot Andrew Gilding, England's Nathan Aspinall took several seconds to watch a particular event happening behind him: a spectator trying to down a pitcher of beer in one go.

A behavior that drew both approval on social media and, on the contrary, harsh criticism. Regardless, Aspinall broke into a big smile and went on to win the round of 16 of the World Cup. “I was intrigued,” Aspinall told talkSPORT. I watched it and I couldn't play because I wanted to see it. But well done to him, even if he was sent off afterwards.”

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Crazy atmosphere at the Ally Pally

For at least one more match, the Englishman will be able to enjoy the exceptional atmosphere of the “Ally Pally” during these World Darts Championships where the darts anthem, “Chase the Sun” by Planet Funk, resonates, sung in chorus by the whole crowd.

With a capacity of 3,500 spectators, the legendary London venue revels in the exploits of its favorite players and is waiting for one thing: the “nine darter” or the perfect round where only nine darts are thrown to reach 501 points.

Only two players have managed to do this since the start of these World Championships, provoking collective hysteria from the spectators, but also from the opponents themselves, as during the match between Australian Damon Heta and Englishman Luke Woodhouse.

All raising funds to fight prostate cancer in the United Kingdom, as soon as a “nine darter” is made by one of the players.