Perhaps, given the fact that these two are the greatest players the darting powerhouse of the Netherlands has ever produced, it was never going to be all ferociously spinning windmills and explosive tulips. But for all the pre-match nostalgia and patriotic intrigue, the early exchanges didn’t quite live up to the billing.
MVG was below par – Barney even more so. To be fair to Van Gerwen, anything under a ton average is often deemed a letdown – such is the ludicrous standard he set long ago. The opening session was, frankly, a slow burner, with Mighty Mike edging it 3-2. He repeated the trick in the second to carry a 6-4 lead into the next interval. So far, so flat.
Finally, a spark. Clad in black with flashes of green, Van Gerwen clicked into gear and went seven darts into the perfect leg. At that moment, Wayne Mardle pulled out a gem of a stat: it’s been more than a decade since MVG landed a nine-darter on Sky – last seen at the World Championship. Quite the drought for someone of his calibre.
From there, the younger of the two Dutch legends cruised into a 9-5 lead, while Barney was left trying to cling on like a man gripping a cliff edge with oven mitts. He did manage to claw a legback, but the outcome never really felt in doubt. In the end, the three-time World Matchplay champion marched on, still firmly on course for a fourth – and with very little fuss.
Let’s not forget, Van Gerwen has built a career on blasting out averages that look like typos. But with his recently self-published marital issues still lingering in the public eye, it’s easy to forget he’s still only human – albeit one who can throw tungsten like it’s telepathic.
Asked whether the weight of expectation ever wears him down, Van Gerwen shrugged it off in typically bullish style:
“Yeah, the bar was set really high in previous years – but I can handle it. I’m a big boy. I love performing. When I don’t play well, people can shoot for me – and when I do, they can cheer for me. That’s just how darts is.”
He’s never been short on bravado, but there’s clearly a more grounded MVG beneath the bravado these days – something he credits, in part, to fatherhood.
“My priorities changed the moment my kids were born – that’s a fact. It changes your life. Every sportsperson around the world will tell you the same. When you’re asked what comes first, it’s always the kids – and it’s the same for me.”
That shift in perspective is evident. Less rage, more reflection – although the odd death stare still makes an appearance when a double goes missing.
“100%. But it’s not just about this first win – it’s a longer project. From last May until now, that’s how life goes. You just try to find the balance.”
And for now, balance looks a lot like victory. And while the averages might not have been eye-watering, Van Gerwen’s place is all that matters to him at the moment.
—–ENDS—–
Images: PDC / Taylor Lanning
