Disappointment among Dutch after quick exit at World Cup of Darts: ''I let Dirk down, that's how it feels to me''

The Netherlands were eliminated in the second round of the World Cup of Darts on Saturday night. After a nerve-wracking match, Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode lost 8-7 to Dimitri van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts from Belgium.

Netherlands were the better in the early stages but failed to capitalise on the one chance for a break. With a 65 finish, 13-darter and 15-darter, Van Duijvenbode and Noppert made it 3-2. The Netherlands then missed a chance at double 10 for 4-2, and instead made it 3-3. Later, the Belgians took a 7-5 lead. The two Dutchmen still came back to 7-7, before two strong innings from Van den Bergh brought the win to the Belgian camp.

Afterwards, Noppert pulled on the penitent rug. ''I hurt myself with this, because I let Dirk down. That's how it feels to me. If I had thrown some more triples.... Dirk hasn't let down much.''

Van Duijvenbode was disappointed with the draw. The Dutch, who were allowed to skip the group stage, faced a strong country that already had two matches in its legs.

''It's not a tournament you throw every day, we have to get used to the stage. Then, as number three, we meet the best country already in action. I find it strange that we get such a draw.''