Van den Bergh dreaming of World Cup of Darts glory with Huybrechts: "It has been spoken about every year, and this could be our time"

Dimitri Van den Bergh hopes to inspire a new generation of Belgian talent playing for the fifth time in the World Cup of Darts, later this week in Frankfurt.

As with his previous participations, Van den Bergh forms a team with Kim Huybrechts. Together with 31 other countries, they compete for the title in the unique tournament.

“Every time I can put that shirt on and play for my nation, it is a day of pride,” said the world number nine.

“You feel special, because you’ve been picked to play for your country, and you could win a title for your country. Those are opportunities that I am going to make the most of.

“I believe in myself, I believe in the partner that I have. We have known each other for a long time, and we are also saying it’s about time we get this title under our belt.

“It is a dream for me and Kim. It has been spoken about every year, and this could be our time.”

Where countries such as the Netherlands (Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert) and England (Michael Smith and James Wade) have a duo that will play together for the first time, Huybrechts and Van den Bergh have been attuned to each other for a long time.

“Kim knew me from when I was born,” continued Van den Bergh, the 2020 World Matchplay champion.

“He took me under his wing. I grew up alongside him. His older brother Ronny Huybrechts is big mates with my dad. They used to play pairs and competitions together.

“Ronny’s youngest son is my best mate, he is like a brother to me, so we are practically family.”

Van den Bergh is the current standard-bearer of Belgian darts, after he won his second senior title on television at the Nordic Darts Masters last weekend with a victory over Gary Anderson.

The 27-year-old has contributed to the sport's growing fame in Belgium, but he believes success at the World Cup of Darts could be a defining moment for the sport in his country.

“The fact that Belgian TV has jumped on board with the PDC and are broadcasting the tournaments – that alone is a massive thing,” added Van den Bergh.

“We get lots of newspaper and radio coverage now, which is incredible.

“I don’t even know what kind of effect it will have on young players in Belgium, because it is already very big now.

“If we do manage to lift that trophy up in the air, if we do manage to become World Cup champions, I think that is going to be the perfect hype for darts in Belgium.”