“MvG” continues, world champions out
This game is the biggest disappointment of the Darts World Cup
By Kevin Schulte, London
December 29, 2023, 11:08 p.m
Opened his mouth wide and then delivered: Darts superstar Michael van Gerwen easily made it to the quarter-finals at the World Cup in London. Defending champion Michael Smith, on the other hand, experienced a bitter end.
Fans and experts went into the first round of 16 of the Darts World Cup with great expectations. But only one player fulfilled the expectations: Michael van Gerwen won against Stephen Bunting without any problems and clearly dismantled the top man in the first three rounds with a 4-0 win.
Bunting’s poor performance turned the highly anticipated top game into an absolute bore. The fact that the game didn’t deliver what it promised is a big compliment for Michael van Gerwen. “Bring me Bunting,” said “MvG” after his success in the third round. The Englishman, on the other hand, repeatedly declared himself a “big” or even “massive underdog” when asked by ntv and unintentionally followed these words with actions.
Total dominance from Michael van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen won the first set in the deciding leg and remained in full control in an equally competitive second round. Van Gerwen also won the set in the final fifth leg. The third and fourth sets then degenerated into a one-sided walk for the Dutchman.
Bunting, on the other hand, was never able to match the strong performances of his first two games at the World Cup in London’s Alexandra Palace. While the darts were really magnetically attracted to the triple fields in the games against Ryan Joyce and the German Florian Hempel, Bunting never found his way into the game despite the great support from the spectators, especially at the beginning.
Next opponent? “Will be my desert for New Year”
In the end, Michael van Gerwen not only captivated his English opponent but also the audience with his dominant performance. The “Bunting Wonderland” sung about by the English became a soulless wasteland that evening.
Michael van Gerwen was all the more pleased about the big exclamation mark to the competition. The 3,000 enthusiastic fans at Alexandra Palace cheered “Mighty Mike” euphorically and with his mouth wide open after the match dart was converted.
The quarter-finals for van Gerwen are on New Year’s Day – either against Schindler’s conqueror Scott Williams or the Australian Damon Heta. In the interview after the game, it seemed as if van Gerwen had to laugh at the possible opponents in the duel for the semi-finals. “Scott Williams or Damon Heta will be my desert on New Year’s Day,” said the Dutchman, who is brimming with self-confidence.
Defending champions already out
Experienced a bitter end to the world champion year: Michael Smith
(Photo: picture alliance / Action Plus)
The reigning champion Michael Smith is no longer a competitor in the fight for the world title. The “Bully Boy” was eliminated 0-4 in the last game of the evening against Chris Dobey. After poor performances in the earlier rounds, the defeat against the world number 17 is only a surprise in terms of height.
For Michael van Gerwen, this has a pleasant side effect: Due to the round of 16 exit, Smith will not be able to maintain first place in the world rankings. “MvG” is now competing with Luke Humphries for the top spot. The possible direct duel in the semi-finals would decide the race for first place.