Van den Bergh and Huybrechts back 'on speaking terms' after mediation talks: ''They won't ignore each other anymore''

It was by far the standout moment of the evening during the opening day of the World Cup of Darts. Dimitri van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts completely ignoring each other during their opening match against Finland, which was nevertheless won 4-0.

Problems in private life were said to be behind this. Darts analyst Vincent van der Voort said during the Viaplay broadcast that both players' wives were also involved.

After their match, both players gave an interview individually, instead of together, which is common at the World Cup of Darts. That will no longer happen from Friday. The two Belgians drew closer on the initiative of Mac Elkin. Elkin is Van den Bergh's current manager and was also Huybrechts' manager in the past.

"They are going to behave professionally again from now on," Elkin said. "Yesterday they did their job but didn't look so good to the media, spectators and viewers. Today, everything will go back to normal. They will support each other, as they have always done. They will shake hands, maybe not always fist bump, but for this tournament they will play as a team again. For the country, for the fans, for the family... They will not ignore each other like they did on Thursday."

Elkin decided to put the two player in a room together on Friday morning. According to Nieuwsblad.be, Elkin lectured the two darters quite a bit. "Kim asked to talk one hour before the match yesterday," he echoed. "You know Dimitri is always very focused at that time, so I made it clear to Kim then that it was not the right time and place. It should have been done earlier. This morning, I then put them together and gave my opinion. I then explained to them what I wanted to happen and said they are both very stubborn. At the end, they shook hands and agreed to play as a team again. Okay, there are still personal problems, they won't suddenly go away. But they will play again for their country as a duo. I think there was also some relief with both of them."

Following the interview, a statement was also released by Van den Bergh and Huybrechts in which they endorsed giving everything to ensure success as a team at the World Cup of Darts.

"Following last night's win at the My Diesel Claim World Cup of Darts, we have sat down to discuss our recent differences. Whilst some issues remain to be resolved in the fullness of time, we are both fully committed to doing our best as a team to win the World Cup of Darts for Belgium, and to represent ourselves, our families and our country in the best light. That begins with tonight's game against China, and our focus is now on preparing for that match as a team."