"I've already beaten him once - so I'll do it again": Fighting talk from Arno Merk in Huybrechts battle, jokes Plaisier stole walk-on song

The draw for the 2026 World Darts Championship was conducted on Monday evening, with German rights holder DAZN providing live coverage from London. In the studio, commentator Adrian Geiler was joined by a special guest: Arno Merk, the recent PDC Europe Super League champion who secured his maiden spot at Alexandra Palace. Merk accompanied the proceedings as an expert analyst—and learned live who he will face on his PDC World Darts Championship debut.

With the field expanded to 128 players, the draw was inevitably lengthy, leaving Merk waiting nervously for his name to appear. Assigned draw ball No. 101 following his Super League triumph, the 33-year-old audibly tensed each time former pro and current Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle pulled a three-digit number from the pot.

Late in the ceremony, Merk’s moment finally arrived. While determining the first-round opponent for Belgian star Kim Huybrechts, Mardle held up ball 101—confirming Merk as the Hurricane’s opening challenge.

“Great draw, I’m delighted!” Merk said seconds after the matchup was revealed. He added with confidence: “I actually beat him at 18 in the Lakeside Qualifier at the Winmau World Masters to reach the BDO World Championship. So I’ve beaten him once now I’ll do it again.”

Asked about Huybrechts’ fiery on-stage personality, Merk welcomed the prospect: “That definitely appeals to me. Since returning, I’ve rediscovered that emotional side of my game. I show more feeling on stage now, I come out of my shell, and I don’t mind getting a bit louder. I think it could be a great, heated contest.”

Merk also weighed in on the draw of compatriot Lukas Wenig, who opens against Dutchman Wesley Plaisier. “Wesley stole my walk-on song,” Merk joked, noting he, too, would have liked to walk out to Thank You (Not So Bad) by Dimitri Vegas.

A replacement, however, was quickly sorted. In a recent episode of the “Tops Tops Tops” podcast, Geiler and his co-hosts discussed iconic songs yet to be used on the walk-on circuit. One entry—Sarà perché ti amo by Ricchi e Poveri—seems to have caught Merk’s ear.

“What was your favourite from the podcast? I loved that one too,” Merk asked Geiler, who immediately lit up. “That’s the perfect idea! I’d be honoured if you used it,” he replied.

“Then I’ll take it,” Merk confirmed.