Will there be a Belgian change of power at the Darts World Cup? “De Decker will sooner or later pass Van den Bergh”

With two major victories, our country had a great year in darts, but behind these successes there are also some concerns. Will Dimitri Van den Bergh, Mike De Decker and Kim Huybrechts continue at the World Cup in London? Analyst Erik Clarys sheds light on the three Belgians in Alexandra Palace.

The UK Open and the World Grand Prix: twice a major tournament in darts turned black-yellow-red this year. Dimitri Van den Bergh won the first tournament in March, and in October Mike De Decker landed his first big fish with the Grand Prix.

The Belgian top players now want to confirm at the World Cup. There is also a lot at stake for Van den Bergh, the Belgian number one. But there are question marks floating around “Dancing Dimi.”

“As far as Dimitri is concerned, it is really a waste of money,” opens darts analyst Erik Clarys. “He started the year very well, but after his victory at the UK Open it went downhill. In recent months the results have been really disappointing.”

“He played his best at the majors, but on the ProTour his results were downright dramatic. In the 28 floor tournaments he played, he was eliminated in the first round 18 times.”

Van den Bergh has completely cut himself off from the outside world. He is also said to be dealing with a minor injury.

Erik Clary’s

A reason for this dip in form is a matter of speculation. Van den Bergh stirred up the mystery himself by sending his cat to the last two floor tournaments of the season at the end of October. “Just press the pause button,” the statement said at the time.

“We don’t know what’s wrong, because Dimitri has completely cut himself off from the outside world,” says Clarys.

“He would also be suffering from a minor injury, world champion Luke Humphries recently said. You don’t really want that in the final straight line towards the World Cup.”

After his semi-final two years ago, Van den Bergh now has a lot of ranking points to defend in London. A quick exit could mean a free fall in the world rankings.

“But it doesn’t necessarily have to come to that. Van den Bergh always flourishes on the big stages and also has a favorable draw. In his opening match he will face Dylan Slevin or Willie O’Connor, that is simply feasible.”

“After that, Martin Schindler may be waiting. And also important: Dimitri is in the bottom half of the table and will therefore certainly avoid Luke Humphries and Luke Littler until a possible final.”

Van den Bergh must defend his position as Belgian number one at Alexandra Palace. The crown prince is now knocking hard on the door with Mike De Decker.

“A change of power is coming,” Clarys is certain. “De Decker will sooner or later overtake Van den Bergh. If it doesn’t happen at this World Cup yet, it will at the beginning of next season.”

“De Decker was the best Belgian of this season, especially in recent months. In terms of throwing averages and results. He was very consistent on the ProTour and in the major tournaments he has now really been completely liberated after his victory in the World Grand Prix.”

“Mike has suffered from stage fear for a long time: the stress at the major tournaments killed him. But he has been involved in the circuit for several years now, that stage fear has worn off and is now a thing of the past.”

And so our country has a new iron in the fire at the top of darts. “He is also liked by the PDC and the public. There is a real chance that he will be invited to the Premier League for the first time next season.”

De Decker was not lucky with his draw. In the second round (as a seed he is free in the first round, just like Van den Bergh, ed.) Luke Woodhouse (PDC 35), semi-finalist at the last European Championship, may be waiting.

“Woodhouse is always an annoying opponent. He is in shape and has experience at the World Cup. On a good day he can be really good. If De Decker can push through, Damon Heta, the number nine in the world, may be waiting. Not a gift either. “But Mike will simply be the favorite with his form.”

The third Belgian in Ally Pally is Kim Huybrechts. He is there for the fourteenth time in a row, after a tumultuous year. There was that open argument with De Decker and after the football cup final, Antwerp supporter Huybrechts broke his collarbone in a fight.

“Kim was actually able to save his season with a final place on the EuroTour in Prague,” says Clarys. “That was a wake-up call for him.”

In 2012, Huybrechts reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but to match that performance, “The Hurricane” will have to string together a few stunts. “On paper, he has the toughest draw of the Belgians,” says Clarys.

“With Keane Barry (PDC 52), a very difficult one awaits in the first round. And if he survives, he will face Gerwyn Price.”

Three years ago, Huybrechts fought a memorable duel with Price at Alexandra Palace, but our compatriot came out on the losing end after a thriller.

“But Price has had a very difficult season. He is not in shape at all. So there are opportunities for Huybrechts. Moreover, the possible follow-up does look favorable for him, he is in a very favorable half of the table.”

It wouldn’t surprise me if Huybrechts becomes the surprise of the tournament.

Erik Clary’s

But then Huybrechts first has to perform two stunts. “But I do believe in that. If he can win that first round, he could launch himself. It wouldn’t surprise me if he becomes the surprise of the tournament.”