Author: chrism
24 nations are ready to battle for the World Cup of Darts in Hamburg later today, and some of MODUS’ superstars are widely expected to be challenging for the title.
Seven players from the MODUS stable are in action over the three day event, including three all-MODUS pairings in the Dutch, Australian and Spanish teams.
Raymond van Barneveld won the inaugural tournament with Co Stompe, and he is aiming to defend his title for the Netherlands. ‘Barney’ will be partnered by Vincent van der Voort for this year’s event.
That win in 2010 remains the Dutchman’s only televised title in over four years but he is sure he will add to his impressive haul of 15 majors, starting in Germany this weekend. 
He said: “I haven’t practised enough recently and that’s why I haven’t been winning. I’m practising everyday now and I feel fantastic. I think some people have written me off prematurely but I know I haven’t lost my ability. I’m not far from being back to the old ‘Barney’, trust me. I was very proud to win a title for my country when I won it with Co last time, so I hope that Vincent and I can do it again.”
Van der Voort is delighted to be representing his homeland with five-time world champion van Barneveld. He said: “Raymond is the reason why darts is so big in Holland and he is a great friend of mine, which is important when playing as a pair. It is a new tournament for me and I’m sure we can win it.”
The Netherlands are seeded third for the tournament, one seed below the Australian pairing of Simon Whitlock and Paul Nicholson.
‘The Wizard’ and ‘The Asset’ return to the tournament after reaching the semi-final in 2010 and are aiming to go all the way this time around.
Whitlock reached the semi-final of the world championship to cap off another solid year but he is desperate to win his first major title this weekend.
He said: “I want to win a major this year; hopefully it will happen in Hamburg. I have reached a lot of semi’s but not enough finals so we will be looking to go two steps further than last time and win the World Cup. Paul is great player, he has been playing consistently well for a while now. I feel good too so I’m sure we can win it.”
Australia’s seeding of second means they could meet an England team consisting of the two highest ranked players in the world in an ‘Ashes’ style final. Nicholson is excited at that prospect.
He said: “Everybody wants to see an Australia versus England final, including me, but we will have to work very hard to get there. There are some brilliant teams in the competition this year, none more so than Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis but Simon and I have a great relationship and I think we have both got the attributes to go all the way.”
Australia lost out in the 2010 semi-final when they ran into Wales and a rampant Mark Webster. ‘Spider’ was in blistering form throughout the tournament but lost in the final despite winning both of his singles matches. He believes that he and his new teammate Richie Burnett can help Wales upset the odds once again.
He said: “Barrie Bates and I surprised a few people in 2010 and achieved a lot more than was expected of us. I’m really looking forward to playing with Richie and I think we have a really good chance. Everyone will be expecting England to win but if we get a chance we will we take it.”
England had been expected to win the first World Cup tournament but were subjected to a shock exit at the hands of Spain. Antonio Alcinas and Carlos Rodriguez reached the semi-final in 2010 and the pair will be back in action this afternoon when they take on South Africa for the chance to play Scotland in the second round.
The seeded countries will begin their respective campaigns in round two, which will be spread across this evening and tomorrow afternoon’s sessions. The Netherlands will face the winners of Austria versus New Zealand, Australia will play either Malaysia or Republic of Ireland, and Wales will take on Finland or Croatia.
The quarter-finals will be played on Saturday afternoon, with the semis and final taking place on Sunday.
MODUS.darts.tv will provide updates and reports throughout the tournament.
By Chris Murphy
Former World Champion Andy Fordham turns 50 today and all at MODUS would like to wish ‘The Viking’ many happy returns.
Fordham will be playing in PDC events in 2012 as an associate member of the Professional Darts Players Association.
PDPA associate members can enter UK Open qualifiers, qualifiers for European Tour events and non-UK Players Championships.
‘The Viking’ won the BDO World Championship at Lakeside in 2004. He was also crowned as World Master in 1999.
Once again, all at MODUS would like to wish Fordham a very happy 50th birthday and all the best for his efforts in 2012.
By Chris Murphy
Simon Whitlock is travelling to Germany for the World Cup of Darts with every intention of claiming his first major title.
The Wizard will team up with Paul Nicholson to represent Australia in Hamburg. The pair reached the semi-finals in 2010 and Whitlock believes that they have what it takes to go even further this weekend.
He said: “Hopefully we won’t go just one better than last time, but two. We want to win it and that’s what we are aiming for. Paul has been playing consistently well for a while now. He is a great player. I like playing in pairs tournaments, having played a lot of them back home. If anything it’s less pressure because it’s not all down to one person. My form is picking up nicely too, so I’m sure we can go all the way.”
The world number five refused to let a broken ankle prevent him from reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship and is happy to be on the mend.
He said: “My leg is getting better slowly; everything is starting feel more comfortable. It did ache a little bit after playing in Benidorm last weekend but it’s nowhere near as bad as it was in December. I got through that quite well though so I’m not worried about that anymore, I know I can go up there and play well despite my injury.”
Australia are seeded second for the tournament behind an England team consisting of the two highest ranked players in the world, Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. The Wizard would be happy to take them on in an ‘Ashes’ style showdown in the final.
He said: “It would be nice if it pans out that way, as long as we beat them but there are a lot of good teams and anything can happen in a knockout format. I’m very proud to pull on the Australian shirt and represent my country and I’ll be giving everything I’ve got against whoever we play.”
Whitlock hopes that a good performance in Hamburg, followed by a winning start in the Premier League next week will be the catalyst for a fantastic year ahead.
He added: “I want to win a major this year, hopefully that will happen this weekend. I also want to win a few floor tournaments and do well in the Premier League. I didn’t do too bad last year but I lost in a lot of semi-finals. I need to make more finals in 2012 and win some tournaments. I’m delighted to have been selected to play in the Premier League again. It means everything to me and I’m really looking forward to the season.”
By Chris Murphy
Friday 2nd March 2012
ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA
James Wade & Terry Jenkins Vs Simon Whitlock & Paul Nicholson
Tickets:
Standing £12.50 plus (2.45 booking fee)
Seating £20.00 plus (2.95 booking fee)
Hoburne Bashley – Forest Room – Sway Road
New Milton – Hampshire – BH25 5QS
Doors Open 6pm
Raymond van Barneveld hopes to bounce back from a disappointing World Championship by retaining the World Cup of Darts for The Netherlands.
‘Barney’ won the inaugural tournament in 2010 with Co Stompe, and believes that he can repeat the feat this weekend with Vincent van der Voort.
He said: “I think it will be harder this year because it is a straight knockout now. If you lose a game you’re out so we will have to be very focused and keep our concentration, but I’m sure we can do well. There are a lot of great teams but I think we are one of the pairs that are in with a great chance.”
The five-time World Champion wants to recover from his first round exit at the Ally Pally in style by claiming the first major title of 2012.
He said: “I probably didn’t practise enough in the last month or so before the World Championship. I played in a lot of exhibitions but not enough floor tournaments. I’m now practising every day again because it’s important for me to come back with a bang. It’s unfortunate that you can’t get ranking points for the World Cup but it’s still a televised tournament and I would love to win it again. I’m so proud to play for my country and to win a title for Holland is a fantastic achievement so I hope we can do it again.”
The Dutchman doesn’t feel that a change in partner will have any bearing on his chances of winning the tournament and he believes that teamwork is the key to success.
He said: “I’ve played with Vincent many times and we get along well, which is important. We will go there together and practise together. We are a team and that is how we will approach the competition. Our preparation is good, I know which doubles he likes to be left on and he knows which ones I like. We are not going as individuals, we will do everything together, talk a lot and hopefully that will show in our performances. Vincent is an ideal teammate.”
Van Barneveld is confident that he will return to his brilliant best, and hopes he can prove his critics wrong in the World Cup and the upcoming Premier League.
He added: “I feel fantastic at the moment. To retain the World Cup would be a fantastic start to the year and I am over the moon to be given a wildcard for the Premier League. I’m working hard to get in top shape. I played quite well in Benidorm last weekend, my scoring was fantastic.
“With a good performance at the World Cup I can get my confidence back, and then within a couple of weeks of the Premier League the old ‘Barney’ will be back. Some people may have written me off after the World Championship, but I believe in my own ability. Trust me, it’s still there, it hasn’t gone and I will make the ‘Barney Army’ proud of me again.”
By Chris Murphy
Vincent van der Voort heads to the World Cup of Darts with every intention of clinching his first major title.
‘The Dutch Destroyer’ is representing defending champions The Netherlands with Raymond van Barneveld, and van der Voort says he will do his best to ensure that his homeland retains the title.
He said: “Raymond won the tournament with Co Stompe last time so maybe there is a little bit of pressure because we can only do worse than that. It’s a new tournament for me but I will do the best I can, and if we are both at our best I’m sure we can win it.
“Raymond is a fantastic player and the reason why darts is so big in Holland. He could easily be number two or three in the world again this time next year. He has so much quality and he is a great friend of mine, which is also important when playing as a pair.”
The closest that van der Voort has come to winning a major title so far was at the UK open in 2007, when he was runner up to ‘Barney’. The world number 14 believes he should have won a major by now and hopes to rectify that in Hamburg this weekend.
He said: “Winning a major is something I’m gunning for. I think I have been a little bit unlucky in televised tournaments at times. For example, I lost out very narrowly to Andy Hamilton at the World Championship and he went on to reach the final. It is definitely something that I’m aiming for this year, hopefully this weekend.”
The 36 year old is regarded as the fastest player in the world and has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity. The Dutchman is delighted with the way that crowds have taken to him.
He said: “It’s unbelievable, I changed my walk-on song and all of a sudden everyone is singing my name and cheering for me. It was actually quite hard to deal with at first because I wasn’t used to that level of support. Now I have gotten used to it, I find it a massive help. It is fantastic.”
Van der Voort hopes that potential success at the World Cup can act as a catalyst for him to fulfil his long term ambitions.
He said: “Every darts player wants to play in the Premier League and I am no different. It is the biggest, most entertaining show in darts and if there is a player that doesn’t want to play on that stage then there is something wrong. If I have a good year on television this year, hopefully I’ll get the chance to take part. That would be amazing but it will take a lot of hard work to make it happen. I have just moved house and got a great practice room so as long as I put the work in, this could be my year.”
By Chris Murphy
James Wade performed consistently well in the first two Players Championship events of the year, showing encouraging form ahead of the 2012 Premier League.
The Machine stormed through to the semi-final of Sunday’s Spanish Darts Classic before being edged out by eventual winner Michael Smith. The world number Three also reached the last 16 of the Spanish Darts Trophy on Saturday.
Wade produced two 6-0 whitewashes en route to the last four on Sunday. He also claimed an impressive 6-1 victory over reigning Players Champion Kevin Painter.
The seven-time major winner hit a brilliant 161 finish in the semi-final, but was unable to see off in-form youngster Smith, who won 6-4 before beating Justin Pipe in the final.
The Machine will now focus his attention on preparing for the opening night of the Premier League in Manchester on Thursday 9th February.
By Chris Murphy
Paul Nicholson carried his excellent floor form into 2012 with a run to the final of the Spanish Darts Trophy on Saturday.
The Asset saw off Co Stompe, Steve Beaton and Mark Walsh before losing out to Justin Pipe in the final.
The world number 17 was again denied by the eventual winner on Sunday, as Michael Smith overcame the Aussie on his way to victory in the Spanish Darts Classic.
Nicholson’s form in the first two Players Championship events of the year was encouraging and excellent preparation for the World Cup of Darts, which starts next Friday.
The Asset, who is in pursuit of his second major title, will represent Australia with Simon Whitlock in Hamburg.
By Chris Murphy
Nicholson with Hulk Hogan
It really was ‘clobberin time’ for Paul Nicholson on Thursday night, when the bad boy of darts met some of his heroes at TNA Wrestling’s Impact event at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham.
‘The Asset’ is renowned for bringing his passion for wrestling into darts. His CM Punk walk-on antics have caused something of a stir and his attitude as a sports-entertainer has helped bring another dimension to the game.
Nicholson watched on as some of his favourite wrestlers oozed the charisma and bravado that have become synonymous with him.
Top of the bill was wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who was making his return to the UK after 18 years.
He was joined by some of the sports’ other superstars including Sting, who made his last ever UK appearance, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles and World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode.
Nicholson watched the action from ringside and was over the moon to meet some of his idols backstage.
He said: “The night was amazing. To see so many legends in one ring at one time was spine chilling. Even the wrestlers were humbled. To meet the people and the characters was the best. Meeting Hulk Hogan was a lifetime dream satisfied, and then to meet Sting and Kurt Angle too was absolutely mind blowing.”
The Asset will retake centre stage next week when he represents Australia in the World Cup of Darts in pursuit of his second major title.
Before travelling to Hamburg, Nicholson will be fighting it out in Benidorm this weekend in rounds one and two of the Players Championship.
By Chris Murphy
MODUS are delighted to represent more exciting talent in the form of the two highest ranked players in Spain, Antonio Alcinas and Carlos Rodriguez.
The pair have enjoyed successful careers in the PDC so far and have both defeated some highly ranked opponents over the last few years.
Their most notable scalp came when they joined forces to represent their country in the inaugural World Cup of Darts in 2010, where they beat an England team containing the two highest ranked players in the world. They went on to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Spanish number one Alcinas has been playing his trade in the PDC since 2010 and has already appeared in eight major tournaments.
His most recent televised appearance came in the 2012 World Championship, where he was unlucky to lose to eventual runner up Andy Hamilton after posting the third highest average of the first round.
The 32 year old, who is nicknamed El Dartador, is also an established soft-tip darts player and he won the 2010 Soft-Tip World Championship.
He said: “I want to thank MODUS for trusting me, and helping me in my professional darts career. I will give the best I have and I hope I won’t disappoint them. Once again thank you MODUS and I hope this will be the beginning of a long and successful relationship together, starting in Benidorm.”
Rodriguez, who is nicknamed The Assassin, joined the PDC in 2007 and has appeared at six televised majors.
The Spanish number two, who is the same age as his compatriot, triumphed at the 2007 Gibraltar Open.
Rodriguez said: “I am very happy with signing for MODUS. I appreciate all the support and trust they have placed in me, enabling me to fulfil my dream as a full time professional darts player. This is a great opportunity to be among the best players in the world and the best dart managing company. I can assure you that it is an opportunity that I will not miss.”
Alcinas and Rodriguez will be in action at the Players Championship in Benidorm this weekend and will once again form the Spanish team for the 2012 World Cup, which takes place next week.
MODUS are excited at the prospect of working with both players as the PDC continues to expand across Europe.
By Chris Murphy
