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.
Follow the 2024 World Darts Championship via our LIVE SCORE!
''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.
claps 3visitors 2280
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- More roid rage than nonsenserichieburnettrocks18-12-2024
- Even the wild crowd went easy on him... we really have gone soft in this country. He should now play in the men's events and try and recover a smidgen of respect, rather than take advantage of the women's game.MrYnyslas197118-12-2024
- The bloke wouldn't get any abuse if he just earned his way in instead of putting on lipstick and larping as a bird.thebogeyman17-12-2024
- Imagine what he'd be like if he done it on TV.medinabello15-12-2024
- Moot point Wattemina will beat him anyways so he will have an early Xmas after all.medinabello15-12-2024
- Grow up mate it's a game of darts surely a player has the capacity to play more than 1 best of 5 set match in one evening.medinabello15-12-2024
- Modus will be good for him. Great comp.medinabello15-12-2024
- I'm with Asp here. If they moan about it don't pick them. Simple as.medinabello15-12-2024
- We don't need the Saudi's money and prohibitive laws. Simply take the World's to other countries like Germany, Holland, Scotland, Poland, Belgium. Not only will you get sell out crowds with bigger venues but it will also freshen up the comp a bit. Let's face it Ally Pally is getting a bit boring now. Imagine 10,000 in Berlin, Rotterdam, Brussels etc.medinabello15-12-2024
- Am probably going to be in a small minority, i would not miss the walk ons, best part used to be the lovely ladies which obviously now makes me a misogynist. Its all part of the razzamatazz show business side and its not that long so not something that winds me up however some of the walk on choices are abysmal while some work, MVG and Seven Nation Army being an example. Dimi the Dancer is / was just awful and Peter Wrights is old hat now.Mysstree14-12-2024