I'm still laughing about this one. Michael van Gerwen basically told the World Cup of Darts to piss off (politely) so he could party in Ibiza instead. And honestly? I respect the hell out of that decision.
The three-time World Champ won't be showing his face in Frankfurt from June 12-15, leaving Gian van Veen to step in alongside Danny Noppert for the Netherlands. Some fans are clutching their pearls over this, but anyone who's been paying attention shouldn't be shocked.
His Mate Spilled the Tea
Vincent van der Voort (remember him?) dropped the bombshell on the Darts Draait Podcast that this wasn't some last-minute decision. "I already knew back in December – his holiday was booked by then," he revealed. "I think he'll be on a very big boat near Ibiza around that time. It's all very inconvenient, of course."
Inconvenient? That's one way to put it.
The podcast host Damian Vlottes couldn't resist a dig: "If teh choice is between that or the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, I think I'd know what to pick." Wouldn't we all, mate. Wouldn't we all.
When Your Country Calls... Send to Voicemail?
I watched MVG play back in 2018 when he was absolutely demolishing everyone. The man looked unstoppable. But priorities change. Money changes things. Life changes things.
Van der Voort defended his buddy's decision: "Playing for your country is a great honour, but let's be honest, the World Cup of Darts was somewhat forced into the calendar."
He added: "We looked at the schedule, and Michael wants to be at his best in the autumn. That means something has to give."
Strategic Vacation or Just Wanting a Tan?
Listen. I spent three weekends last summer at darts competitions. The fluorescent lighting inside those venues makes everyone look like they've been dead for a week. Maybe MVG just needs some vitamin D.
His wife Daphne was spotted living her best life in Turkey last month, looking stunning in a bikini according to fans who called her "super beautiful." The couple has been married since 2014 and have two kids – Zoe (7) and Mike (5).
I texted my darts-obsessed brother about this news. His response: "Family man makes family decision. Why is this news?" Fair point.
The Unspoken Truth About Tournament Hierarchies
Van der Voort didn't mince words about where the World Cup ranks in the darts universe: "The World Cup just has a lower priority at the moment. Maybe he'll return to it next year."
Translation: Some trophies matter more than others. And sometimes a yacht in Ibiza trumps them all.
I've been following darts since my dad dragged me to a local tournament in 2007 (I was bored out of my mind until I saw my first 180, then I was hooked). The calendar has become insanely crowded. Players are burning out faster than cheap lighters.
So MVG chose Ibiza over Frankfurt.
And honestly? I'd probably make the same call.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?
Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.
I keep hitting 5s and 1s when aiming for 20s. How do I fix this?
This is probably the most common frustration in darts—those dreaded 5s and 1s when you're aiming for the 20 segment! The good news is that this specific problem usually stems from a few identifiable issues.
How far should I stand from the dartboard?
The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.
How often should I replace my dartboard?
A quality sisal dartboard should last anywhere from 1-3 years with regular play, though this varies dramatically based on usage and care. Professional-grade boards like Winmau Blade 5 or Target Unicorn typically outlast budget options by a significant margin.
What are "flights" and "stems" and do they really matter?
Flights and stems (also called shafts) are the components that stabilize your dart during flight, and yes, they absolutely matter—though perhaps not in the way beginners often think.
My darts keep bouncing out of the board. What am I doing wrong?
Bounce-outs are incredibly frustrating, but they're usually caused by one of a few common issues. First, check your dartboard—if it's old and dried out, even the best throws will struggle to stick. Quality sisal boards should last years, but cheaper paper-wound boards harden quickly. If you can press your thumbnail into the board and it doesn't leave a small indent, it's too hard.
Statistics
- The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
- The Women's World Darts Championship was established in 2001, with Trina Gulliver winning 10 titles.
- The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
- The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).
- The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
- A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
- Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
- The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
External Links
How To
Choosing Your First Set of Darts
When I started out, I grabbed whatever cheap darts came with the board I bought at Target. BIG mistake. The flights (those wing things at the back) kept falling off, and the tips bent after just a few throws. After wasting about $30 on those garbage darts, I finally invested in a decent tungsten set.
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