The Netherlands’ Pursuit of Glory at the 2024 PDC World Cup of Darts
The 2024 PDC World Cup of Darts is set to take place next Thursday, with the Netherlands among the 40 participating countries in the event held in Frankfurt. The Dutch team’s past performances and their chances for success this year are worth exploring.
The World Cup of Darts is considered the unofficial world championship for national teams within the PDC. The tournament first debuted in 2010 with 24 countries, expanding to 32 teams in 2014 and 40 teams last year, with only pair matches being played.
The Netherlands’ Domination and Decline
In the inaugural 2010 event, the Netherlands was represented by Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompé, who won the tournament after defeating Wales in the final. The duo had a successful history playing together, having won the European Championship at the WDF Europe Cup in 2000.
The Netherlands continued to field strong pairings in the subsequent editions, with Van Barneveld and Vincent van der Voort reaching the semifinals in 2012 before a semifinal exit in 2013. From 2013 to 2018, the formidable duo of Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen dominated the competition, winning the title in 2014, 2017, and 2018.
However, the Dutch team’s consistency has waned in recent years, with various pairings failing to reach the final, including Jermaine Wattimena and Van Gerwen in 2019, Danny Noppert and Van Gerwen in 2020, and Dirk van Duijvenbode and Van Gerwen in 2021. The 2022 semifinal appearance and the disappointing 2023 early exit have raised questions about the Netherlands’ chances in the upcoming 2024 edition.
The Netherlands’ Hopes for 2024
Nonetheless, the return of Michael van Gerwen, paired with the reliable Danny Noppert, is expected to bolster the Dutch team’s prospects. The complementary strengths of the two players, with Van Gerwen’s scoring prowess and Noppert’s consistent finishing, make them a formidable duo. However, they will face stiff competition from the likes of defending champions Wales (Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton) and the English pair of Luke Humphries and Michael Smith, who are favored to win the title.
“Fans can follow the 2024 PDC World Cup of Darts live scores and updates on our dedicated platform. The Netherlands will be one of the teams to watch as they aim to reclaim their past glory and add another title to their impressive Darts World Cup record.”
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