Raymond van Barneveld still dreams of sixth world title: "That would mean I would compete in the Premier League and the World Series again"

Raymond van Barneveld will be present for the 31st time at a World Darts Championship next month. The 56-year-old Dutchman is 29th seed and will take on the winner of the duel between Radek Szaganski and Marko Kantele.

Van Barneveld doubts the draw favoured him. "Szaganski is obviously at the World Championship because he won a Pro Tour, subtract that win and he probably wouldn't have made the World Championship. And Kantele was always a very annoying customer in the BDO era. It actually surprises me that he makes few strides on TV," Van Barneveld told Sportnews.

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Despite the lesser name recognition of his potential opponents, there is no question of any underestimation on Van Barneveld's part. "Since my early defeats against Darius Labanauskas and James Richardson, I don't know the word underestimation," the former five-time World Champion insists.

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Van Barneveld did not have the best run-up to the World Championship, both at the World Matchplay, the European Championship and the World Grand Prix he went out in the first round. "That's because other players can also throw very well. Ryan Searle throws 105 average at the World Matchplay and due to circumstances surrounding the wedding I was also a bit overtired," he said.

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At the recent European Championship, 'Barney' went down in the opening round against Michael Smith. "People can say what they want about Michael Smith, but he is just the current world champion and number one in the world. At the European Championships I just got beaten 6-1. So also in terms of the draw I had a pretty tough time."

Despite everything, Van Barneveld still believes in a sixth world title. And then just stop? "No, of course not. After that only beautiful things will happen. That would mean I would compete in the Premier League and the World Series again. No that would be stupid to stop then, that's when the money tap opens. And also towards my current sponsors to give something back, of course I would like that."

With a win against Szaganski or Kantele, Van Barneveld might meet Peter Wright in the third round. "Peter is just the European champion and I lost to him the last 5 times. I really shouldn't be thinking about that match at all yet, but of course you are in the back of your mind. If I win that first match and I then win over Peter Wright then I've done pretty well right?"

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