"Missed opportunity, but now I would be much calmer" - Wessel Nijman looks back on World Championship debut against Steve Beaton

Wessel Nijman made his debut at the World Darts Championship late last year. In the opening round, however, he lost 3-1 to living legend Steve Beaton.

Nijman, on the'Double Top' podcast, looked back on that match with mixed feelings. "It was a dream come true to be on the stage at Alexandra Palace," he said. "The crowd was singing loudly to Beaton, but actually that didn't bother me, it was nice too."

"Still, I thought it was a missed opportunity. I was a little too tense because it was all new to me and I had no stage experience. Were I allowed to play that competition again now, it would be different, I would be much calmer."

Niels Zonneveld, who himself lost to Ross Smith in the second round at the last World Cup, also saw that there were chances for his buddy. "I definitely thought beforehand that Wessel could win, but on the other hand I also have to admit that Beaton played better than I expected. He had his best days, but in that match he punished all Wessel's mistakes. On such a World Championship you experience a different tension than on the other tournaments. You can make up for your whole year and that gives you extra pressure. If you win one match you get 15000 pounds, for the world ranking that makes a very big difference."

Rise number

Nijman chose Bryan Adams' attendance song "Summer of 69" at the World Cup. "I do like older music and after attending a Bryan Adams concert, I was completely convinced of my choice," he said.

"I immediately had a good feeling about that song. 'Let me entertain you' by Robbie Williams was also an option at one time, but I don't think I'll be changing attendance songs anytime soon."