Shocks continue at 2024 World Cup of Darts as Netherlands are dumped out by Belgium

Belgium has reached the quarterfinals at the World Cup of Darts for the second consecutive year at the expense of the Netherlands. Dimitri van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts gave the Dutch duo of Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert a severe thrashing, winning 8-2.

The contest was a high-quality pairs match. The Netherlands threw an average of 100.96, compared to 97.31 for Belgium. On the doubles, however, the Belgians were a lot more effective; 14 to 53 percent. Huybrechts gave Belgium the lead by throwing out 89 with two darts in the first leg. Van Gerwen and Noppert failed to get 121 out in two innings in the second leg, allowing the Belgians to cash in on their break via double 2.

The Netherlands did not get on the scoreboard until the third leg. After a 180 from Noppert, Van Gerwen threw out 52 for a 14-darter. The Belgians then threw in a big gear. In both the fourth and fifth leg, Van den Bergh threw a 180, while Huybrechts threw out 129 and 121 to extend the lead to 4-1. In the fifth leg, Van den Bergh also showed good finishing skills as 'The Dreammaker' threw out 86 to make it 5-1.

Noppert ended the Belgians' run and signed off with a 52 finish to make it 5-2. Van Gerwen was then able to reduce the deficit further, but 'Mighty Mike' missed an arrow on tops. This miss was punished by Huybrechts, who drained 52 to make it 6-2 for Belgium. The Dutchmen started the ninth leg scoring strongly with scores of 100, 180 and 135. Noppert then missed one chance at double 7, while Van Gerwen then also missed two chances. Again the Belgians took advantage, as a 64 finish from Van den Bergh made it 7-2.

After Van Gerwen missed three more chances on the doubles in the tenth leg, the verdict was passed on the Dutch duo. With a 74 finish, Huybrechts ensured an 8-2 final score, allowing Van Gerwen and Noppert to move on from the World Cup of Darts after just one match. In the quarterfinals, Belgium will take on Massimo Dalla Rosa and Michele Turetta from Italy. They were surprisingly 8-7 too strong for Australians Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta earlier in the day. In the remainder of the tournament, Belgium also lost out to Wales, which was in the same half of the draw as the Belgians. Jonny Clayton, along with Jim Williams, surprisingly went down against Croatian duo Boris Krcmar and Romeo Grbavac.