A day after the roar of engines faded at Zandvoort’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, Damian Vlottes and Vincent van der Voort were back behind the microphone for a new episode of Darts Draait Door. While the show opened with reflections on the Dutch Grand Prix, the conversation quickly shifted to darts — particularly the Euro Tour stop in Antwerp, performances of Dutch and Belgian players, and broader issues within the sport.
Formula 1 vs Darts: The Power of a Superstar
Van der Voort, who attended the Dutch GP in person, praised the scale and organization of the event. “It really is a great spectacle,” he said. “And I’m not even talking about the racing — just the entire atmosphere. You can’t describe how busy it is.”
That led to comparisons with darts. Vlottes pointed out the star power of Max Verstappen, much like Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen elevated the sport in the Netherlands. “At Zandvoort, one man lifts the whole event. In darts, Raymond and Michael did the same for Ahoy,” Van der Voort said.
Noppert’s Nighttime Struggles Continue
The focus soon turned to the Flanders Darts Trophy in Antwerp, where Danny Noppert once again faltered in an evening session.
Related News
“Once it’s an evening session, it’s game over,” Van der Voort remarked bluntly. “He might need to think outside the box — because this clearly isn’t working.”
Vlottes, who watched Noppert warm up, didn’t see any signs of fatigue. “Physically, he might be the fittest of them all,” he said. But the performance still didn’t match.
In contrast, Luke Littler continued to impress. “He can just switch on and off — like a machine,” said Van der Voort. “We’ve never seen anything like that at his age.”
Wade Wins Ugly, as Usual
James Wade also came up — reaching another semifinal without dazzling. “If anyone can win ugly, it’s Wade,” Van der Voort laughed. “Doesn’t average over 90 all weekend, then suddenly throws a 99 in the semi. He always does just enough.”
Belgian Drama: Huybrechts and De Decker Tensions Flare
Off the board, the Belgian contingent brought drama. Kim Huybrechts lashed out at the darts media, and Mike De Decker rekindled an old feud dating back more than a decade.
Van der Voort didn’t hold back: “Still carrying that around after twelve years… you’ll have a long career that way. And Kim — if there are always incidents, maybe it’s not just others.”
Vlottes added that Huybrechts could have handled things better: “He should’ve sent a quiet message about the errors. Now he’s blown it up, and everyone piles on.”
Littler Outlasts Rock in Antwerp Thriller
The final in Antwerp saw Luke Littler edge out Josh Rock in a thrilling match. Rock threw a sensational 161 checkout at 7-6 to force a deciding leg, but Littler responded with an 11-darter to clinch it.
“Rock can blame himself,” Van der Voort noted. “If you get the throw, you’ve got to push Littler to throw a 12-darter at least. He didn’t — and paid the price.”
Despite the loss, there was praise for Rock: “He stayed composed, even when Littler was putting on a show. You can tell he’s maturing,” said Van der Voort.
Criticism for the PDC and Sky Sports
Both analysts voiced frustration with the PDC’s communication, particularly around Luke Humphries’ late withdrawal, which was announced only after the draw was made.
“That’s pure arrogance,” Van der Voort said. “Organizers weren’t even informed. Same with Sky Sports — Viaplay hears nothing about changes, breaks, or moved matches. It’s unacceptable.”
Van Barneveld: Still a Legend, But No Longer Relentless
The episode closed with a deep dive into Raymond van Barneveld’s current status. The Dutch icon reached Round 2 in Antwerp and looked set for victory against Ryan Searle, leading 5-3, but let it slip.
“From 5-3, Searle just played really well,” Van der Voort said. “But this is where Raymond is now. He can still do it — but lacks consistency.”
Vlottes agreed: “With Littler, at 7-7, you see him go all-in. Raymond just can’t find that extra gear anymore. That’s the difference now.”
Once known for his rock-solid finishes, Van Barneveld’s edge under pressure appears to be fading. “He still beats top players now and then, but he can’t do it week in, week out,” Van der Voort added.
Legacy Secure, But Gaps Widening
At 57 years old, Van Barneveld remains a massive crowd favorite — in the Netherlands, Belgium, and the UK alike. “That emotional connection with fans — that’s what makes Raymond unique,” Vlottes noted. “People don’t just want performance; they want the feeling he brings to the stage.”
Yet the duo agreed: while Van Barneveld can still produce magic on his day, his run of regular deep tournament appearances is likely over.
“It’s admirable that he can still perform at this level,” Van der Voort concluded. “But against today’s top competition, you need to be flawless. And at his age, that’s almost impossible.”
