Taylor Issues Barneveld Challenge

Phil Taylor insisted he would relish the chance to take on three-time Embassy world champion Raymond van Barneveld in Holland.

The two players last met in a one-off, hour-long game back in 1999 at the Wembley Conference Centre. Taylor sealed a 21 legs to 10 victory over his British Darts Organisation rival to prove himself the best player on the planet.

However, the Stoke sensation admits that he had more support and would be willing to play him in Holland where van Barneveld is treated like a superstar.

" Raymond is a very, very good player," said Taylor. (right)

" He is outstanding and I think he will win the Lakeside (formerly Embassy) World Championship this week.
" I think me and him going head to head in Holland would be absolutely fantastic.

" He deserves a second shot because we played each other in England and the majority of the supporters were on my side.

" I would be willing to play him in Holland and I wouldn't think we would have a problem getting a sponsor."

Van Barneveld (left), who is already through to the second round of the Lakeside World Championship after defeating New Zealander Peter Hunt on Saturday, clinched his third title last year.

He followed up by winning the International Darts League and World Darts Trophy, but he just missed out on the Grand Slam when Tony West beat him in the final of the Winmau World Masters in November.

'The Power' clinched his 11th world title at the Circus Tavern in Purfleet last night after an epic encounter with Cambridgeshire thrower Kevin Painter.

The 43-year-old, who plays on the Professional Darts Corporation circuit, was pushed all the way by 'The Artist' before clinching victory in sudden death.

The score was tied at 6-6 in sets and 5-5 in legs when Taylor nailed double five to send the capacity crowd crazy.

Taylor admitted that he felt "drained" after the titanic tussle, but sounded excited when asked about the prospect of playing the talented Dutchman.