Van Gerwen Just Demolished This Guy and Called Him a "Pub Player" – Then Had the Audacity to Say He Wasn't Being Mean

By Lewis Barnett 5 July, 2025 5 mins read 42 Views

Look, I've covered darts for years, and I thought I'd seen everything. But Michael van Gerwen just delivered one of the most savage post-match interviews I've ever witnessed, and honestly? I'm still processing it.

The three-time world champion absolutely destroyed Pero Ljubic at the Poland Darts Masters on Friday – not just on the board, but verbally afterward. And when I say destroyed, I mean he basically called the guy a weekend warrior who belongs in a local pub, not on a professional stage.

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The Numbers Don't Lie (But They're Pretty Ugly)

Van Gerwen won 6-4, which sounds respectable until you dig into the stats. MVG averaged 84.71 and hit just six out of 19 checkout attempts – that's 31.6% for those keeping track. Not exactly world champion material.

But here's the thing: Ljubic was even worse.

The 47-year-old Polish player managed an 82.69 average and converted only four of 13 checkout attempts. That's 30.8%, which in professional darts is... well, it's rough. Really rough.

When "Mighty Mike" Goes Full Savage Mode

After the match, van Gerwen didn't hold back. At all. According to Oche, he said: "It wasn't a good game at all. Pero needs to be happy that he won one leg."

Then came the knockout punch: "Pero is not a good player. Pero is a pub player — we all know that."

Jesus. Can you imagine being Ljubic and hearing that?

But wait – it gets worse. Van Gerwen continued: "I'm not harsh — he is a lovely man but when you throw treble 12 for treble 20 then you need to go back to the dartboard. Did you ever see me do that?"

The Birthday Comment That Made Me Wince

Here's where it got really brutal. Van Gerwen said: "I made Pero look good today. Pero won a few legs and it feels like his birthday!"

I mean, come on. That's just cold.

The Dutch star did take some responsibility, saying "I can only blame myself, I didn't play well. I'm the one to blame." But then he immediately went back to roasting Ljubic, adding: "I was going to win anyway. You want honest answers — I give you honest answers."

This Isn't Even Ljubic's First "Pub Darts" Moment

Poor guy can't catch a break. Back in June at the Players Championship 19, Ljubic and Niko Springer took 26 darts to finish a single leg. Twenty-six! The match got compared to "pub darts" then too.

At this point, I'm starting to feel genuinely bad for the man.

What's Next for the Brutally Honest Dutchman?

Van Gerwen's victory sets up a quarter-final against Rob Cross, and he seemed excited about facing "the big boys" tomorrow. The quarter-finals start at 6.10pm on Saturday, and honestly? I'm curious to see if MVG brings this same energy against someone who can actually fight back.

Listen, van Gerwen has always been blunt – it's part of his charm. But calling someone a "pub player" on international television and then claiming you're "not harsh"? That's next-level stuff, even for him.

I guess we'll see if this confidence carries over when he faces opponents who don't make him look like a world champion by comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

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.

Wait, so how exactly do you score in darts? I always get confused.

Dart scoring is straightforward once you get the hang of it! The standard game (501 or 301) starts with that number, and you subtract whatever you hit with each throw. The goal is to reach exactly zero, with your final dart landing in a double.

How do I improve my dart throwing technique?

Improving your dart technique comes down to consistency and deliberate practice. First, establish a comfortable stance—feet shoulder-width apart, with your dominant foot slightly forward. Your weight should be balanced and stable, not leaning forward or back.

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

In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
The dartboard wire system known as "razor wire" reduced bounce-outs by approximately 60% when introduced.
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
A standard dartboard is divided into 20 numbered sections, with the bullseye at the center worth 50 points.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
The Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Championship has been held since 1994, with Phil Taylor winning a record 14 titles.
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.

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How To

Taking Your Game Public

Playing at home is one thing; throwing in a crowded, noisy bar is another beast entirely. My first league night was a disaster—I couldn't focus with people walking behind me and the pressure of teammates watching. Now I wear headphones with low music between throws and have a specific pre-throw routine to center myself.

Did you miss our previous article...
https://sportingexcitement.com/darts/luke-littlers-gone-mental-kids-ditched-his-money-shot-for-what-exactly