Premier League Darts: Raymond van Barneveld battling back like Rocky!

Raymond van Barneveld has insisted that fighting back from his early season struggles has inspired a late Premier League Darts surge.

The legendary Dutchman faces compatriot Michael van Gerwen, live on Thursday at 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD, while Dave Chisnall meets Gary Anderson in the other play-off.

Van Barneveld's inclusion in the final four seemed unlikely after just one win in his first eight matches but he believes the slow start was to his advantage.

"When my back is against the wall, I change, for some reason," he told Sky Sports.

"Something in my brain says 'hold on Ray, you're too close to the edge'. I had to battle, and I seem to do well because the focus is there.

"I didn't want people to say 'Ray is gone'. Just like you can't write Phil Taylor off, you can't write me off.

"This is a crazy sport where anything can happen. Kim Huybrechts won just one game. Guess who he beat? Me! But I'm still here."

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Van Barneveld's toughest test might still be ahead of him as Van Gerwen awaits at London's O2 Arena.

The reigning Premier League champion believes that retaining the trophy would be sweeter after being counted out in the early weeks.

"It doesn't matter who you play if you believe in your own game," he said.

"Even if it's a 145 or 141, you'll get a chance. This is a hard game for Michael as well, he knows I'm in form.

"This means a lot to me. It would be a big dream to come from nowhere and retain the title.

"This would be bigger than winning it last year because I had five points after eight weeks."

I didn’t want people to say ‘Ray is gone’. Just like you can’t write Phil Taylor off, you can’t write me off.

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