BRILLIANT BARNEY GOES THROUGH! Raymond van Barneveld begins his campaign with a 3-1 win over Radek Szaganski! 📺 bit.ly/24WCLive #WCDarts | R2
"I've been begging at Target about what I want" - Raymond van Barneveld expecting great things from his new darts set-up
PDCSaturday, 23 December 2023 at 13:56
Raymond van Barneveld started Friday night's World Darts Championship with a rock-solid performance. The 56-year-old from The Hague never really got out of second gear against Radek Szaganski and triumphed 3-1 in sets.
Van Barneveld recorded an average of 99.81, his highest average at the World Darts Championship since the 2018 edition when he defeated compatriot Vincent van der Voort at the last 16.
''I am extremely happy with this performance,'' Van Barneveld said afterwards during the press conference. ''Radek won a Pro Tour tournament a few months ago, so I knew it was going to be a tough match. There was a lot of pressure on me, so I'm very happy to be through.''
Van Barneveld played his first real match with his new darts, which were specially made by his supplier Target in honor of the 25th anniversary of his first world title.
'Barney' is overjoyed with the outcome of the developed dart. "I worked really hard for this. When you spend years searching for the right darts you drive yourself crazy. I've been begging at Target about what I want. They then made 3 sets for me, nothing more. This really made me feel insane. Scoring was good and the finishes really helped me. With this set-up I really expect great things in the coming year."
With the elimination of James Wade and Peter Wright in his portion of the draw, a good result beckons for Van Barneveld at the World Darts Championship. Although 'Barney' does not want to go too hard, he dreams of a sixth world title.
''I can still get people in trouble,'' Van Barneveld continued during the press tour with the English press. ''When I play really well, I'm hard to beat. I believe in myself again and I feel better than ever. I'm not going to tell everyone that I'm going to lift the cup up here for a while, but I do believe in it and I know I can do it,'' Van Barneveld said.
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- I dont like individuals or crowds trying to put any player off when they are trying to check out, how anyone can think its okay for the crowd to whistle or shout as someone is throwing for a double is beyond me but it does seem to have become part and parcel of the modern game. I no longer play now, darts is as good as dead at a local level round my way but when i did play many years ago, no matter how intense the rivalry you never shouted out or whistled when an opponent from the other team was throwing for a double.Mysstree17-11-2024
- The pundits glossing over the other factor at play in that match. They appear to be somewhat constrained in what they can say publicly.
UndartedWaters16-11-2024 - So, you don't like Littler, then? I was cheering him on, being a fellow Englishman. Honestly, some of us get far too offended nowadays. If you want to see crowd passion... watch a match when German and Dutch players face off... that can be just as bad if not worse for crowd noises. It happens, I have watched and heard Littler being jeered - Dirk van Duijvenbode in Holland, January this year. Where was your outrage then? Yes, I can clearly see what is going on here.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- It happens. Remember, anyone who has watched German and Dutch players in matches - their respective countries will have seen/heard just as bad jeering (if not worse). Taylor and MVG are two prime examples of professionals who are able to cope with the crowds mentally and not take it personally. This is not just an English crowd problem, FFS.MrYnyslas197116-11-2024
- Was watching an old World Masters final the other day between Eric Bristow and John Lowe, the crowd respect for both players on throw was first class, not a sound. You can imagine now the idiots who were whistling on De Deckers throw proudly boasting about it on social media. I blame the PDC to a certain extent though doubt they really care as they win regardless of which player wins or loses.Mysstree16-11-2024