Van Duijvenbode still gets to go to World Cup of Darts: "Was kind of counting on it"

Due to the pulling out of Michael van Gerwen, Dirk van Duijvenbode will get his chance to take part in the World Cup of Darts. 'Aubergenius' forms a duo for the Netherlands with Danny Noppert.

For Van Duijvenbode, the summoning did not come completely unexpected. "Indeed, I was already taking it into account a bit because I had been sent in. I'd rather qualify on sporting ground, but this is a great tournament, so satisfaction prevails anyway that I still get to travel to Frankfurt," Van Duijvenbode told Toto Dart Kings.

In a change to the format this year, only pair matches are played at the World Cup of Darts. "In my local league I also play regular pairs matches, so I am used to it. I do expect more surprises than other years."

Van Duijvenbode reiterates the importance of a good relationship with your pairs partner. "It is important that, even in matches that are a bit more difficult, you keep motivating each other and certainly don't start blaming anything."

"On paper, the Netherlands definitely belongs in the top four," said Van Duijvenbode. "We are both fairly experienced and surely the semi-finals is at least our goal."