"He said that if I play badly next round he will kick my ass!" - Jarno Bottenberg reveals message from Jimmy van Schie after dumping out Lakeside favourite

Jarno Bottenberg has qualified for the quarterfinals of the 2024 WDF World Championship at Lakeside with a great performance. The 23-year-old Dutchman defeated his compatriot and pre-tournament favourite Jimmy van Schie 3-1 in the last 16 and will now face living legend Paul Lim, who won over Gary Stone in his tie on Thursday night.

Bottenberg and Van Schie served up a good quality match to the spectators at Lakeside Country Club, with both men throwing well into the 90 average. " I'm over the moon to have taken the win," Bottenberg reflected in his post-match interview. "Beforehand, I knew it would be a very difficult match, but I also knew that I could beat him if I play my a-game. I think I played near my a-game, and today it was enough."

"Jimmy missed a lot of doubles and I think that's why I won the game," continues Bottenberg's assessment. "I started the first set very well and then I was thinking, if I win the first set, then I have to make it two-nil. Then I'm close to the victory."

Although Bottenberg did indeed make it 2-0, Van Schie came roaring back in the third set. "In the third set, he was only hitting 140, 140, 180 and I was happy that he missed a few doubles, otherwise it should have been 2-2."

Van Schie showed his class afterwards by congratulating Bottenberg extensively. "He told me that he had a lot of respect for me and that he thought I had played very well," Bottenberg explains. "He also said that if I play badly next round he will kick my ass!" Bottenberg adds with a laugh.

"If I keep playing like this I can be very dangerous for everyone," continued 'Bottie'. "Obviously there are still a lot of strong players in the tournament, but I definitely believe in my chances."