‘They’ve built up a serious reputation in the past’: Belgium remain contenders for Darts World Cup despite strained relations

The World Darts Championships begin tonight in Frankfurt. Belgium, the fifth seeded team this year, will face Singapore and the Philippines in the group stage.

Podcast“Double Top” discussed Belgium’s chances at the Darts World Cup. “It is common knowledge that Kim and Dimitri are (no longer) best friends,” said VTM commentator Matthias De Vlieger. “But they know perfectly well what unites them on stage. Kim put it perfectly last year: ‘I want to play with the player Dimitri Van den Bergh, the rest don’t interest me.’

“What’s more, they are used to pairing up, in the past quasi have always done very well at the Darts World Cup,” adds former participant Kurt Van de Rijck.

A few matches

Belgium have lost in the final in the past, and last year Van den Bergh and Huybrechts reached the semi-finals. Since last year, only pairs matches have been played at the Darts World Cup. “It’s to their advantage,” De Vlieger said. “Not many other countries are so strong in pairs matches.”

“Besides, no one will want to face Belgium. They have built a serious reputation in the past and other countries will certainly not forget about it.”