Belgian darters produce rare performance at World Grand Prix

These are high times for Belgian darts. Two Belgian players managed to reach the quarter-finals at the World Grand Prix for the first time.

Mike de Decker made it to the last eight at a major tournament at the PDC for the first time in his career. 'The Real Deal' started the tournament with a fine 2-1 win over Damon Heta, who is currently ranked number six in the world. Decker kept his nerves in check best when the two played a deciding leg.

De Decker's best performance, however, came in the second round. The dart player from Mechelen completely destroyed two-time world champion Gary Anderson and defeated 'The Flying Scotsman' 3-0 in sets.

Dimitri van den Bergh became the second Belgian to reach the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix. 'The Dreammaker' opened his participation in this event with a 2-1 victory over Luke Woodhouse, after which he beat Dave Chisnall 3-1 in sets.

It is only the second time in the history of the PDC that there are two Belgians in the quarterfinals of a television tournament. That previously happened at the 2021 World Series of Darts Finals, when Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts faced each other in the quarterfinals. At the time, Van den Bergh won the Belgian showdown 10-8.

De Decker and Van den Bergh could provide a unique performance Friday night if they both make it to the semifinals. That would mark the first time two Belgian players have been in the semifinals of a PDC major.

Before that happens, Decker will have to deal with eleven-time major winner James Wade in the last eight. Van den Bergh will face Joe Cullen in the quarterfinals. Should the two Belgians both win their matches, they will meet in the semifinals of the double-in double-out tournament in Leicester.