Barneveld looked to be in trouble early on

Swedish unknown Goran Klemme took the first three sets, with the Dutch third seed winning only two legs.

But Van Barneveld fought back to 3-3, then pulled away from the surprise finalist, who works as a sausage maker.

Van Barneveld thrashed England captain Martin Adams 6-1 in the semi-finals, while Klemme claimed another big-name victim, beating John Walton 6-3.

The Swede had battled past Co Stompe, Bobby George and Gary Robson, holder of the World Darts Trophy, to reach the semi-finals.

Van Barneveld, who had only lost one set in his previous six matches to Adams in the semis, admitted: "Goran was hitting everything early in the match and my heart was pumping.

"At the start I was just aiming to win the sets in which I threw first but I found myself 3-0 down and I was worried.

But I hit a 96 checkout to make it 3-3 just before the break, and that was important.

"I had the feeling that qualifying for Lakeside was too much in Goran's mind and I managed to get on top."

Klemme's defeat means Ireland's Gerald Porter of Ireland will now complete the 2006 World Championship line-up.

But Van Barneveld, who won �15,000, was disappointed that Klemme did not make it to Frimley Green.

"It's too bad for Goran," he said. "He should be there judging by the standard he produced this week."