Belgium emphatically dumped the Netherlands out of the World Cup of Darts last night.
Michael van Gerwen returned to the Dutch side for the first time since 2021 to team with Danny Noppert.
Despite producing the tournament’s only ton-plus average so far, they were routed by an inspired Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri van den Bergh.
Belgium checked out at over 50% whereas the Netherlands could only muster two successful double attempts.
After despatching the number three seeds with ease, Huybrechts took a swipe at ‘Mighty Mike’.
Huybrechts says MVG has a ‘big mouth’
Van Gerwen is one of the most confident men darts has seen and he doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind.
‘The Hurricane’, however, claims to have silenced the three-time World Champion in Frankfurt.
Speaking to Darts Now, he said: “I’ve never heard Michael van Gerwen be quiet, and I haven’t heard him the whole game.
“Normally he has the biggest mouth on the whole Pro Tour, we’ve both experienced that. He’s tried to bully us so many times, but I’ve never heard him be so quiet in a game.”
Belgium could finally win elusive World Cup of Darts
Belgium’s performance last night was a textbook statement victory.
They have made the semi-finals an astonishing seven times but have thus far been unable to capture glory.
Despite their differences, the Belgian duo seem to be working together better than ever.
After Croatia shocked the reigning champion Wales and Italy defeated a struggling Australia, no seeded teams remain in the bottom half of the draw.
No country remaining has come close to matching the performance of Belgium and favourites England underperformed with their new-look team.
If Belgium can come close to replicating the display against the four-time World Cup champions, they may soon add their name to the roll of honour.