VIDEO: Belgium put on a show on the opening day of International Pairs Week at the MODUS Super Series

The build-up to the PDC World Cup of Darts (06/11/2025–06/14/2025 in Frankfurt) is in full swing, but in the meantime the MODUS Super Series features an intriguing interim event. During the so-called “International Pairs Week”, twelve nations compete in two-player teams, and Belgium made an immediate statement on the opening day.

Belgium’s colors are defended by Andy Baetens and Brian Raman, two of the strongest names on the national darts circuit who have also showcased their skills on the international stage. Both players are fixtures within Belgian darts and were therefore tasked with representing the country in this invitational competition.

The MODUS Super Series is a competition format for players without a PDC Tour Card who still want to compete at a high level. Matches are streamed live and prize money is on the line. Across the seasons, well-known and emerging names regularly appear, including Luke Littler, who played there before his breakthrough on the professional circuit.

In this third edition of “International Pairs Week,” twelve countries face off: Belgium, the Netherlands, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Croatia, Canada, the United States, and Kenya. Each team consists of two players, and the setup delivers a mix of established stars and lesser-known talents.

Belgium’s opening day was not flawless. Raman and Baetens started hesitantly and needed time to find their rhythm in the early matches. However, they grew into the tournament as the session progressed. In total, they won three of their five matches, good for six points and the top spot in the group after day one.

Their best moments arrived at crucial times against strong opponents. The Belgians produced an impressive 10-darter against Wales, a display that immediately underlined their scoring power. They also delivered an 11-darter against England, traditionally one of the favorites in international darts competitions. Such checkouts demonstrate not only technical quality but also mental resilience under pressure.

That strong finish did not go unnoticed. The Belgian duo were named “Team of the Day” afterward, recognition for their performances and their ability to fight back into contention after a difficult start.

The tournament format makes the coming days particularly important. The group stage lasts three matchdays. The group winner qualifies directly for Saturday’s final round. The remaining teams are redistributed into two new groups, into which six additional countries will also enter. Ultimately, six teams will advance to the final day, where the title will be decided.

Belgium’s focus is clearly on maintaining top spot. With their current form and proven scoring power, Baetens and Raman have everything in their hands to go deep. The competition remains fierce, though, with England, the Netherlands, and Scotland among the traditional darting powerhouses.

If they can stabilize their level and reproduce the peaks from day one, Belgium could establish themselves as serious outsiders for the title in this international week.