"Don’t want to sound cocky, but I think if I play my A-game, I can beat anybody": Honesty over arrogance for top seed Jimmy van Schie

Jimmy van Schie made a strong start to his 2025 WDF World Championship campaign at the iconic Lakeside venue, securing a 3–0 victory over Alex Williams in his opening-round match. Despite the straight-sets scoreline, the Dutch talent was candid in assessing both his own performance and the nature of the contest.

“I’m happy with the win, but I think it could have been better also from him,” Van Schie admitted. “I think we both missed a lot of opportunities and we wanted to go out as quick as possible, but I’m happy with the win.”

This year marks Van Schie’s second appearance on the Lakeside stage, following his debut last year. The 2024 experience, he said, has been instrumental in shaping his mindset for this campaign. “I’ve learned a lot about last year as well,” he reflected. “I think I felt the pressure a lot, and now I just see every game as it comes and try to win every game.”

The expectations placed on him during his debut — both internal and external — were a significant factor, and he acknowledged how challenging that was to manage. “I think there was a lot of expectation last year. People expected a lot of you on that stage, and with it being a big stage debut, a World Championship debut, that can't be too easy.”

This year, though, feels different. More matches, more experience, and more confidence have all contributed to a more settled approach. “I think I’ve played a lot of games and I’ve got a lot more experience right now than one year ago,” he said. “I’m feeling way more comfortable right now. It’s like the first time is always a bit difficult, especially this first game as well. I think I’ll get into my rhythm and play even better next round.”

When asked what he has learned about himself over the last 12 months, Van Schie’s answer extended beyond darts alone.

“To be a better darts player and a better person as well,” he said. “When I lost a game a year ago and lose a game right now, I think I can take it better. It’s going quicker to process it.”

One match that still stands out from last year’s campaign was his thrilling encounter with Jarno Bottenberg — a match praised widely for its entertainment and quality.

Reflecting on whether he was too hard on himself after that defeat, Van Schie acknowledged the combination of pressure and frustration. “Maybe,” he said. “I always say if somebody wants to beat me, he needs to be better than me. He wasn’t necessarily better than me. Well, he was actually because he hit his doubles, I didn’t. But scoring-wise, I think I let myself down and he took advantage of that. That’s also part of the game.”

Still, he maintains that when his game is at its highest level, he is a force few can handle. “I think if I play my A-game, then it’s going to be tough to beat me.”

The conversation naturally shifted to expectations for this year’s tournament, especially given his progression and strong recent form. Van Schie didn’t shy away from the suggestion that he could contend for the title — but answered with honesty rather than arrogance.

“I think when I play my A-game, I can beat anybody,” he said. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but I think if I play my A-game, I can beat anybody. So you can fill it in.”