World Matchplay

In 2008 James Wade ranks number three in the world when he comes to his favourite tournament. And The Empress Ballroom remains favourable to him. For the third year in a row he gets to the final and this time it's no surprise that he does. This time he again has to play Phil Taylor in the final. Not many players have succeeded in beating Taylor in a final and neither does Wade. For the second time in three years, the man from Stoke-on-Trent beats “The Machine” in the final. In a high quality finale Taylor wins 18-11 and has an average of nearly 110 per throw.

Four Dutch players take the stage in Blackpool in 2008. Besides the second-seeded Raymond van Barneveld and number six in the world Roland Scholten they are Michael van Gerwen and Vincent van der Voort. The latter loses in the first round 8-10 to Alan Tabern. Roland Scholten can also pack his bags after one round. 'Superman' Matt Clark beats Scholten 10-4. With this defeat comes an end to the era of Roland Scholten at the World Matchplay. After nine consecutive appearances in 2008 he will not qualify for this tournament in the future.

The Dutch came close to not having any players left  in the tournament after one round when Van Barneveld struggled against Mark Frost, he needed extra legs to win 11-9. Michael van Gerwen also extra time against the number seven in the world; Andy Hamilton. Van Gerwen eventually won the game 14-12. One round later, Wayne Mardle proved too strong for Van Gerwen. Hawaii 501 beat him 13-9. Mardle would go on to beat another Dutchman in the quarterfinals. Raymond van Barneveld wins his second round game against Tony Eccles, but comes up short in the quarterfinals against Mardle. In a fantastic, exciting match Mardle wins 18-16.