The Dutch Darts Championship ended in disappointment for
Mike De Decker, as the 29-year-old Belgian suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat to Mickey Mansell in the opening round. Despite the early exit, De Decker is not dwelling on the loss and is instead shifting his focus to next month’s
World Cup of Darts.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad in the press room at Autotron Rosmalen, De Decker struggled to hide his frustration after the match.
“He played well, I didn’t,” De Decker admitted with a sigh. “There was one leg where I had five darts to break him and couldn’t take it. If I finish that leg, I probably win the match. It’s a shame… Then it’s 5-5, you start the deciding leg strong, hit two tons, but give him an opening—and then it’s over.”
While some saw the result as a surprise, De Decker was quick to put it into perspective.
“Is it unexpected? Maybe people expect me to get past the first round these days, but every draw is tough now. There are no easy matches. If I hit a few more doubles, I win. And no, this isn't on Mickey. Yes, he plays slowly, but I knew that coming in. I prepared for it. I’m not making excuses—my doubles just didn’t go in often enough, and that’s on me.”
Known as “The Real Deal,” De Decker now turns his attention to the European Tour event in Leverkusen, where he returns this weekend as a series leader for just the second time in his career.
“You can’t sit and sulk for four days because you lost,” he said. “Sure, it takes a bit to get over, and of course you curse when you step off stage—every player does (laughs). But I didn’t need a pep talk. I’m mentally fine. I want to do well at every event, but sometimes things just don’t go your way.”
Dimitri Van den Bergh, Mike De Decker's teammate at the World Cup of Darts
World Cup Debut Beckons
Following Leverkusen, De Decker’s focus will turn to what could be a landmark moment in his career: his debut for Belgium at the World Cup of Darts, where he will partner
Dimitri Van den Bergh.
“It’s already starting to sink in,” De Decker said. “I just got an email about the shirt sponsorship for the World Cup, so things are getting real now. I’m really looking forward to it. No nerves yet, not at all—but I’m sure they’ll come. Especially because everyone around me is so hyped. They’ve been talking about it for weeks! I’m trying to stay calm—for now.”
While no formal training sessions have been scheduled yet, De Decker says he and Van den Bergh have been in touch.
“Maybe we’ll practice together, but nothing concrete yet. We’ve spoken, we’ve seen each other. He says he’s training again and feeling good. If that’s the case, then Dimitri’s always dangerous on stage. He might lose ten floor events in a row, but on stage he can fire in a 120 average out of nowhere.”
De Decker is also relishing the chance to play pairs darts on the big stage.
“I enjoy pairs, especially when it’s with someone I get on with—and I do with Dimitri. He’s going to be the team leader. Even though I’m slightly higher in the rankings at the moment, he’s got so much experience at the World Cup. That counts for a lot.”