“Everyone is so negative that it can’t really disappoint” – Van Gerwen and Van Veen keep Dutch expecations low at the Football World Cup

For Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, one goal takes center stage this week: winning the World Cup of Darts. While the Dutch national football team prepares for the start of the World Cup, the two darters are also pulling on the Oranje shirt. Not for football, but for the prestigious national team tournament in Frankfurt, where the world’s top darts nations go head-to-head from Thursday.

The Netherlands traditionally ranks among the strongest countries at the World Cup of Darts. Van Gerwen has already won the tournament three times alongside Raymond van Barneveld and is once again one of the event’s headliners. For Gian van Veen, it will be his second appearance on the World Cup stage after making his debut last year alongside Danny Noppert.

In the run-up to the tournament, Van Gerwen and Van Veen were asked by Algemeen Dagblad about the Netherlands’ chances at the World Cup of Darts and the Dutch national team’s prospects at the football World Cup. Van Veen did not need long to think about his answer.

Van Veen views England, with Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, as the main contender for the title in Frankfurt, but puts the Netherlands right behind them. “After that I would say we are the favourites. And I wouldn’t say that the Dutch national football team are the second favourites at the World Cup. So yes, I think the chance is greater that we win the World Cup of Darts.”

Still, Van Gerwen is cautious. The Brabander knows better than anyone that the World Cup of Darts is a tournament where unexpected results occur regularly. Unlike individual events, it’s all about teamwork and chemistry.

According to Van Gerwen, you have to “watch out for surprises, just like in football.” That warning is not without reason. In the past, countries like Northern Ireland, Wales, and Australia have sprung surprises at the World Cup. The format means that one below-par match can have immediate, major consequences.

While Van Gerwen and Van Veen openly state they are going for the title in Frankfurt, expectations for the Dutch national football team, according to Van Gerwen, are lower. The former world champion does see opportunities for Ronald Koeman’s side, but does not expect an easy route to the final.

“Hopefully Malen and Gakpo are in form. But everyone is so negative that it can’t really disappoint. Although I’m also sceptical. In the quarter-finals they could end up facing Brazil, right? Then it’s over. I think we should be very happy if we reach the semi-finals.”