Van Duijvenbode glad to gain respect from hostile home crowd: "I was prepared for being called names and whistling while I was throwing"

Dirk van Duijvenbode is through to the final day at the International Darts Open where he will face Michael Smith after whitewashing Nico Kurz and he was glad to gain respect from the home crowd.

"I thought they would be my enemies tonight but I think they were very polite and I appreciate that because I was prepared for being called very worst names and whistling while I was throwing and I think they were respectful," said Van Duijvenbode post match.

He spoke about the words he gave Kurz at the end and said he believes he can do better than those currently at the top of German darts.

"Not of encouragement, I think Germany is looking for a big star and I think Nico can be that star. I don't know why he doesn't have a Tour Card because it's not to slag off the other one, I think Florian Hempel is doing a good job. Max Hopp did a good job, don't forget about Gabriel Clemens but I think Nico has the thing to be that top four player. I think he has what it takes. I think he's the man and I think he put too much pressure on himself to perform."