Dutch icon Michael van Gerwen believes the Netherlands can improve on their runner-up placing at the Bet Victor World Cup of Darts 2026. MVG’s return to the side produced a fine run with some stand out performances especially in the quarter finals. Both players seemed to enjoy playing together and perhaps a settled pairing may be the enduring result.
Despite bowing out in the showpiece, going down 5-10 to the top seeds England, the Netherlands reached their first final since 2018 with a dominant brace of displays in Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle on Sunday.
DARTS PLAYER MERCHANDISE AND COLLECTABLES AT OUR DARTSWORLD STORE!
Van Gerwen and Van Veen swept aside host nation Germany 8-4 with an imperious performance, producing the second-highest knockout-stage average of 102.68 since the World Cup’s format change in 2023.
The Dutch dominance continued into the semi-finals, with the world number three and four battering previous champions Northern Ireland 8-2.
Van Gerwen and Van Veen produced a clinical display, striking 53% of their double attempts compared to Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney’s combined 18% success rate, propelling the Netherlands to a second consecutive ton-plus average to reach the final.
“I really enjoyed my weekend here with Michael, and hopefully there’s many more to come,” said Van Veen, who reached his first World Cup final in his second appearance in Frankfurt.
“They played phenomenal darts tonight, especially in the final.
“We missed a couple of chances to really get into this game. I’m really proud of the way we played this weekend, but it just wasn’t to be tonight.”
MORE ELITE DARTS COVERAGE: Check Out Our Devoted PDC Area
Van Gerwen was one match away from a record-equalling fourth World Cup trophy, but fell short at the hands of a seemingly-unstoppable England.
“I think me and Gian did okay, but I think we can do a lot better than this,” assessed the three-time World Champion.
“If there’s two players you don’t want to give confidence to, it’s these two guys. They’re number one and two in the world and it was a tough challenge, but you need to keep believing in your ability.
“I never give up. We always gave 100%. It is what it is. You have to take it on the chin and move on.”
2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts
Sunday June 14
Afternoon Session
Quarter-Finals
Scotland 8-5 Republic of Ireland
England 8-7 Wales
Northern Ireland 8-7 Latvia
Netherlands 8-4 Germany
Evening Session
Semi Finals
England 8-3 Scotland
Netherlands 8-2 Northern Ireland
Final
England 10-5 Netherlands
INTERESTED IN GLOBAL DARTS? Checkout DartsWorld’s Dedicated Area
—–ENDS—–
Images: Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC (main) and Jenny Segers/PDC
