"I don't think they will want to play us" - Belgium ready for clash with Netherlands at World Cup of Darts

Belgium has convincingly qualified for the knockout stages of the 2024 World Cup of Darts. Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts defeated the Philippines 4-0 in their second group match on Friday evening in Frankfurt.

A day earlier, the Belgians had also won against Singapore. "We played really well. It wasn't much of a statement we had to make, but we knew we had to up for it against the Philippines," Huybrechts reflected in his post-match press conference. Indeed, the Philippines were tipped in advance as an opponent not to be underestimated with the experienced PDC Tour Card holder, Christian Perez and Alexis Toylo, the current leader on the PDC Asian Tour. "There was no underestimation from our side. We knew we had to be full focused, 100%. If not, you're going to lose."

"Look at what we just saw from Chinese Taipei (knocked out Republic of Ireland in their group game ed.), they showed exactly how dangerous these Asian teams are," adds Van den Bergh. "So we are so glad that we have been able to get the job done."

Unlike in past years, perhaps in part because of doubts about Huybrechts' fitness, Belgium was not considered among the main contenders for World Cup of Darts glory this year. "It's difficult to be one of the main favourites. It's easier to be an outsider or to not be talked about at all," assesses Huybrechts. "The less we're talked about, the more we can surprise."

"I've never seen us as one of the favourites. I've seen us as a team that on our day can beat anyone. It could be the number one, number two in the world, it doesn't matter. If we're on our day, we can do a lot of damage," Huybrechts concludes. "Are other countries worried about drawing us? Yeah I think so I don't think they will want to play us."

In the last 16 of the 2024 World Cup of Darts, Belgium will take on the Netherlands later tonight.