"To play here again still feels special" - Jelle Klaasen quietly confident of claiming second World Championship at Lakeside

Jelle Klaasen has easily qualified for the third round of the WDF World Championship. 'The Cobra' defeated Swede Edwin Torbjörnsson 3-0 in an impressive return to the Lakeside.

Klaasen averaged almost 94 and had to give up only one leg to his opponent. "I felt good. I think I controlled the game really nicely and yeah, my first dart was good so then it's an easy easier game for me," said the 39-year-old Dutchman in his post-match interview.

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In 2007, Klaasen last appeared in action at Lakeside (Klaasen then lost 3-0 to Co Stompé in the opening round). "I've been here in I think 2016 to watch, but to play here again still feels special," said the 2006 BDO world champion.

Klaasen notices that he is not seen as a top favourite for this World Championship. "I don't mind. I hope they they keep on talking about them the whole tournament and forget about me," he laughs. "I know they're in great form and they're the favourites but I think, with my experience I can still beat them on this stage."

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Advantage

"On stage I feel really good and then it's a little bit easier. I don't really have nerves on stage so for me it's just play and if I'm good enough I win, Klaasen concludes. "But you see a lot of players, they are nervous because it's the first time and that's a little advantage that I have."

Klaasen will take on the winner of the duel between Darren Johnson and Dennie Olde Kalter on Thursday night in the last sixteen.

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