Kantele Wins World Championship Place

FINLAND'S Marko Kantele will represent his country for the first time in the 2009 Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.

Kantele will become the first Finn to appear in the PDC World Championship after winning a qualifier in his homeland.

He overcame Asko Niskala 3-1 in the final, coming from a set down to win nine of the next ten legs for victory, hitting four ton-plus finishes.

A Finnish international, he has previously played in the Lakeside Championship, World Masters, International Darts League and World Darts Trophy.

However, he believes that his appearance at Alexandra Palace in December will be the "biggest challenge" of his 20-year career.

He said: "I have been playing darts for a long time and had some big moments, but the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship gives me an opportunity to raise my game to another level."

The Finnish Pro Darts Championship saw Ulf Ceder and Sami Sanssi reach the semi-finals.

Tickets and hospitality packages for the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship are still available - click here for full details