"I thought I could have actually done more scoring wise" - Dirk van Duijvenbode surprised by stats in impressive win over Damon Heta at Flanders Darts Trophy

Dirk van Duijvenbode has qualified for the last sixteen of the 2024 Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp. The 'Aubergenius' defeated Damon Heta 6-5 in the second round and is now set to face Luke Littler in the next round.

Van Duijvenbode and Heta treated the spectators present at the Antwerp Expo to a particularly exciting match. Each player kept holding their own throw, so in the end Van Duijvenbode managed to finish it off in the very last leg. "Scoring wise, I thought I had some chances to break his throw," reflected Van Duijvenbode in his post-match interview on stage afterwards.

"In the beginning, first four legs I thought I could have actually done more scoring wise," Van Duijvenbode continues. "But I kept my calm on my own throw, which wasn't easy, I've got sweaty hands! Not sweaty hands from nerves but it's so warm in here and we were both struggling in the beginning to score well. Towards the end of the game, we both played better but that wasn't our normal level."

The 32-year-old Dutchman eventually finished the match with 98 average and 75 percent on his doubles. "I thought it was like a low 90s, but it wasn't that bad," the Dutchman assesses. "98? I'll take that! And 75% on doubles is very good. Happy that I won and happy that I can get back for Sunday."

Van Duijvenbode will take on Luke Littler in the last sixteen on Sunday afternoon. 'The Nuke' particularly impressed in the second round by winning 6-1 over Jermaine Wattimena with an average of over 111.