Ten Berge has not quite given up on international dream: "Something like that always stays in the back of your mind"

At Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague, the 'wall of fame' features pictures of Dutch top athletes such as Peter Blangé, Marcella Mesker and Dick Advocaat. But also that of darter Joey ten Berge.

Ten Berge won the European Youth Championship in the World Darts Federation as a 15-year-old. These days, the now 37-year-old Dutchman plays amateur football with fifth division club WIK, where he plays his home matches in the Zuiderpark. "Every time I enter the grounds and see the Sportcampus, I feel proud to be hanging there on that Wall of Fame. Logical after all," Ten Berge said to AD.nl.

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Realistic

'The Entertainer' became world pairs champion with the WDF in 2007 and his career wins include Open Switzerland and Open Austria. He was also active at four BDO World Championships. Nowadays, for financial reasons, his family and his own painting and maintenance business take priority. At the Dutch Open early this year, he once again made his mark with a place in the quarter-finals. "I was throwing so well. That was undoubtedly because I started with an attitude of 'We'll see'. Then you have the right relaxed attitude. But it's hard to keep that mindset when you have to pay your bills from your prize money. You have to be realistic about that."

But has Ten Berge then completely given up on his international dream? "Well, not completely. Something like that always stays in the back of your mind. At 37, you won't get better as a footballer, but as a dart player, your best years could still be there."

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