Our Blog

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN is determined to defend the BetVictor World Cup of Darts title and has revealed his extra motivation when he captains the Netherlands in Hamburg this week.

Victory for the Dutch pairing of three-time winner van Gerwen and debutant Jermaine Wattimena would take Team Netherlands to a record fifth glory in the tournament, while ‘Mighty Mike’ would personally join Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, of England, and his former partner Raymond van Barneveld on four World Cup titles.

“I love to hold records and this would be a special one,” said van Gerwen, who has won the World Championship, Masters and Premier League in 2019.

“It would be something special for the Netherlands to overtake England and I am really determined to do that.

“Also for myself it would take me level on titles with three great World Cup players and if I do that then I have the chance next year to break that record too.”

On playing with Dutch number two Wattimena for the first time after three previous triumphs with van Barneveld, van Gerwen said: “If I was in Raymond’s shoes I would be gutted and I know he is – but with all respect I think Jermaine deserves his place.

“It will be a new thing for him but he has got the ability and hopefully I can help him a bit and we will be a very strong team.”