"It's a dream for me": Mario Vandenbogaerde delighted at BDO World Darts Championship run
BDO World Darts ChampionshipFriday, 10 January 2020 at 11:59
Mario Vandenbogaerde is living the dream at the BDO World Darts Championship.
The Belgian has carried on his impressive World Masters form, beating Sebastian Steyer and Dennie Olde Kalter to reach the World Darts Championship quarter-finals on debut. Vandenbogaerde is on course to match his Circus Tavern run, should he see off David Evans in the quarter-finals.
"I'm very happy. It's a dream for me," he told Tungsten Tales.
"I played three times against Dennie in tournaments, and I lose three times - I think he's my black beast!
"When I was training on the boards, I felt so good. I go to the stage, and go three-nil up.
"Then I was nervous...just nervous."
Comeback
Vandenbogaerde revealed that he took a long break from the game after failing to push on from domestic success. Like Peter Wright, it took a spousal intervention to get him back into the sport he could realistically be world champion of by the end of the week.
"In Belgium, I was number one for five years. I tried for my dream to make it to the [Lakeside] stage...it was not good," he said.
"I stopped the darts. 12 years, I stop. My said said, come on Mario, allez, we play.
"It was just a dream to stay here. I hope I stay [until] Sunday!"
Vandenbogaerde meets David Evans for a World Darts Championship semi-final spot. You can read the day's preview and schedule here.
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- @UndartedWaters I totally agree with your thoughts! I totally respect Kirk but in this instance I was disappointed with his lack of crowd control. I even turned to my husband and said "Could you imagine this happening if Russ Bray was the referee tonight? At least there would have been a crowd admonishment- Ladies and Gentleman please." I so felt for Mike DeDecker...MamaVenus15-11-2024
- Many fans had a sour taste in their mouth by the end of this match. Mike was cruising to victory, playing beautiful darts, when the whistling started in earnest, particularly on his doubles. You could see in Mike's face that it was really affecting his concentration. The referee should have asked for order, just to show that the whistling is unacceptable, and Luke Littler could also have done his part to quieten down the crowd instead of "taking full advantage.:" I put that down to his age though. He needs some good advice on this from his management team and/or more seasoned players. It's got to be about who's best on the night, not who is being harassed by the crowd. Luke Littler played well to get back into the game and win, but it was a hollow victory. If he goes on to win the tournament, that triumph too will be tainted because of this match.
UndartedWaters15-11-2024 - Agree. Van der voort will be the one taking a break when he loses his tour card. Everyone saying about how bad Wright's last 18 months have been, and in that time he's won several Euro tours and the European Championships.Matilda6215-11-2024
- When Littler has at least five ranking Majors he’s in the discussion, until then, forget it.Mysstree14-11-2024
- This is the difference between other players and Phil Taylor. Phil would be completely motivated even before his walk on and didn't need anything else to do so.richieburnettrocks14-11-2024