"The conditions are tough, it's very hot in here, but I still had too many sloppy darts": Michael van Gerwen smiling amid crowd adoration despite stifling Prague heat
PDCSunday, 06 September 2026 at 07:39
Michael van Gerwen secured a place in the third round at the Czech Darts Open in Prague, but only after a real battle. The Dutchman had to dig deep against Mario Vandenbogaerde, who never looked ready to roll over at any stage. Van Gerwen was mainly relieved afterwards to have dragged the win over the line. At the same time, he praised the Czech crowd, which backed him loudly for almost the entire match.
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The conditions in the arena did not make things any easier. It was particularly warm at the Prague venue and both players had to push themselves physically and mentally. Van Gerwen admitted afterwards he was far from his best, but stressed he kept fighting for every leg.
“My biggest mistake, I think, was chances to go 4-1 up,” Van Gerwen reflected after his second-round win at the Czech Darts Open. "And of course, what you're saying, the conditions are tough, it's very hot in here, but I still had too many sloppy darts."
The three-time world champion is currently searching for the level he expects of himself. That was clear in Prague as well. Even so, despite several lean spells, Van Gerwen managed to turn the match his way. For him, the result is what matters most right now.
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“I was trying really hard.Everyone knows I'm not in the form I want to be there,” he admitted. “But I have to say one thing. I never, never, never had such an amazing crowd here. They were absolutely incredible to me and I only can be really appreciative for that."
The crowd played a notable role throughout. The Prague fans made themselves heard for Van Gerwen and sang his name for long stretches of the match. According to the interviewer, there was barely a moment when the Dutchman was not being serenaded.
Van Gerwen fully appreciated that support, although it also added extra pressure. "They think they did me a favour, but they put me under immense pressure, do you know what I mean?,” said the Dutchman. “But this crowd, I want to say thank you to all of you."
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Van Gerwen had to dig deep
The win was anything but routine, which became increasingly clear as the match wore on. Vandenbogaerde kept hanging in and gave Van Gerwen no room to settle. At one point Van Gerwen led 5-4, but he was visibly frustrated not to have closed it out earlier.
That frustration, Van Gerwen said, stemmed from the way he had to fight for every leg. "Yeah, but that's how it goes sometimes, especially when you're working hard, when you're fighting for every step in the game, then things can get very hard."
Notably, Van Gerwen had felt excellent during his preparation. Backstage, he said, he threw well and his game felt much better than it ultimately looked on stage. "I was practising backstage and I was feeling really good, and my darts were flying in nicely, but up here I couldn't really do it."
Michael van Gerwen faces Wessel Nijman in the third round
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Still, the Dutchman refuses to obsess over his average or the level he reaches during a match. Especially in a phase where results matter, it comes down to one thing for Van Gerwen: winning. "But more importantly, it doesn't matter how you win, as long as you win."
“Daddy of the European Tour”
Van Gerwen also received a compliment afterwards that has become almost inseparable from his name. For years he has been seen as one of the faces of the European Tour and is jokingly called the “Daddy of the European Tour” by fans and organisers.
At many events his name also features on a Wall of Fame. The interviewer therefore asked whether it might be time for someone else to claim that prominent spot. Van Gerwen laughed, but also made it clear he still has a simple goal in Prague. “Of course, of course,” he replied. “My aim is to win it here.”
The Dutchman also has a special bond with the Czech Republic. “I think I was one of the first darts players in this country with a big exhibition, and the hospitality they always gave me is absolutely phenomenal."
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As a result, Van Gerwen clearly feels appreciated by Czech darts fans. The massive support during his match in Prague underlined that again. For the Dutchman, that’s also a reason to give something back. “The only thing I can do is keep working hard, try to give back as much as I can," said MVG.
The victory at least gives Van Gerwen the chance to push on in the tournament. Although his game still fell short of his own benchmark, he again showed he can win matches when the going gets tough. In Prague he will need to combine that fight with a higher level if he wants to mount a serious tilt at the title.
For now, relief is the overriding feeling. Van Gerwen knows he must improve, but he has another important win in the bag. And perhaps more importantly: in Prague he again felt the crowd fully behind him.
Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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