🏆 Earlier tonight, 2020 Betfred World Matchplay champion Dimitri Van den Bergh was presented with the Phil Taylor Trophy in front of fans at the Winter Gardens. He begins his title defence against Devon Petersen in the final game of the evening.
Defending champion Van den Bergh on return to World Matchplay: "I had goosebumps tonight"
PDCSunday, 18 July 2021 at 11:30
Dimitri van den Bergh saw off Devon Petersen with ease in his opener claiming a 10-5 win over 'The African Warrior' on his return as champion at the World Matchplay albeit for the first time at the Winter Gardens.
He also had his reception beforehand in front of the fans which his trophy which he was denied last year and he discussed that and his victory over Petersen.
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"I had goosebumps tonight," said Van den Bergh. "To lift the trophy was an amazing feeling and I loved it, but I still had to do my business later and I did that.
"Devon wasn't as strong as he can be and at the end of the game I showed what I'm capable of.
"I need to take the positives from today but also learn from the negatives. It was a big lesson for me."
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- Am not outraged and as said above i dont like anyone from any country doing it to anyone from any country. Whoever is going for a double should have best of order.Mysstree17-11-2024
- Say what? It happens in other countries; Littler in January - this year (Holland), go and watch the evidence on YouTube. If it is going to be done to English players, then we are more than entitled to dish the same back when players face off in England. When it happened to Littler in Holland in January... where was your outrage then? ABE attitude.MrYnyslas197117-11-2024
- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024