"I would much rather play for the Netherlands than for Sweden" - Nation switch a possibility for Kevin Doets to boost World Cup of Darts debut hopes

Kevin Doets is one of the most inform players on the PDC Tour. Recent success and deep runs on the ProTour have seen him rise among the elite in darts, becoming a name players fear to be drawn against. However, he still has a lot of work to do before debuting in the World Cup of Darts with a possible nation switch on the horizon.

Doets recent sublime form has seen him climb up to world number 32. A maiden PDC ranking title came at Players Championship 13, defeating Luke Woodhouse in the final. He then backed it up with a first final on the Euro Tour at the Austrian Darts Open. He was not able to double his title tally with Josh Rock fending him off in an enthralling final.

His hard work has not gone unnoticed, but ambitions to enter the World Cup of Darts is still a long way off. The Dutch darter still has a number of fellow countrymen ahead of him in the rankings. This includes Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen who will be competing in Frankfurt this year. Along with those two, the likes of Danny Noppert, Wessel Nijman, Jermaine Wattimena and Dirk van Duijvenbode all sit above him in the PDC Order or Merit.

This firmly keeps him out of contention in debuting in the prestigious tournament for the first time. Nevertheless, there are other ways of doing so.

Doets stressed that he would much rather compete for the Netherlands, but if there was a chance to change from his homeland's colours, then Sweden would be his port of call.

“I’ve thought about it. If I want to switch, I still have to wait for three and a half years. But I would like to play for the Netherlands rather than for Sweden," he told the Weekly Dartscast.

“It’s just so hard lately to play for the Netherlands because two out of the top four are Dutch. So, it’s going to be very tough to get into the World Cup for the Netherlands. And of course, right now it’s a lot easier to play for Sweden."

Doets would be the number one for Sweden, and quite comfortably. Their number one is Jeffrey de Graaf who is ranked world number 55. He also represented the Netherlands in the early parts of his career before transferring his allegiance to Scandinavia.

The incentive would be financial along with a much better chance of competing on the big stage. While Doets would prefer to play for the Netherlands, he is not ruling out anything. "We have to look at the financial aspect as well. But I would much rather play for the Netherlands than for Sweden. But if the opportunity comes that I can play for Sweden, I might take it, but I don’t know yet.”

Competing at the World Cup of Darts would be an honour for 'Hawkeye', especially looking back at what he came through. Suffering with dartitis early in his career, he has come out of it better than ever.

“I think that looking back at that, I’m very proud of where I am now, and especially because of my dartitis and stuff," he admitted. "The dartitis part, that has always been a struggle because even though I haven’t had it for years now, it’s something that still sometimes shows up in the mind.

“It can get tough when you start thinking about that. But yeah, I’m just very proud of where I am now, after what I’ve been through in the earlier stages.”