It was a bittersweet weekend on home soil for Mario Vandenbogaerde, who once again showed flashes of brilliance in front of an energized Belgian crowd — but ultimately fell short in the third round of the Flanders Darts Trophy, losing to Danny Noppert.
The West Flanders native, affectionately known as ‘Super Mario’, has steadily grown into a more familiar name on the PDC circuit in recent years. But Sunday’s defeat — despite a promising start — left him with mixed emotions.
Fast Start, Harsh Lesson
“I’m gutted,” Vandenbogaerde told Het Nieuwsblad, visibly dejected after the match. “It was the same as against Jonny Clayton: I was 5–0 up then, and against Danny it was 3–0. You look at the scoreboard, start overthinking, and before you know it, everything’s gone.”
Backed by a passionate home crowd, Vandenbogaerde raced to an early lead. But Noppert, one of the Tour’s most consistent performers, found another gear. While the Dutchman raised his average to 98, Vandenbogaerde’s dipped to 91 — and the momentum quickly shifted.
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“Danny was just too strong. I gave it my all — there was nothing more I could do,” he said. “Yes, that’s the difference between the very top players and myself.”
A Battle Beyond the Oche
What stood out most in Vandenbogaerde’s post-match reflections was his honesty about the mental challenges of the game — especially in front of a home crowd.
“Why do I start overthinking? I don’t know. But it’s something I need to work on. I might be 52, but I’m still learning. Maybe I should talk to someone about it. I had such a good feeling, especially with the fans behind me, and then suddenly it all disappears. That hurts, because I really wanted to go another round further.”
His words serve as a reminder that darts is not just about mechanics or averages — it’s a psychological game too. And for Vandenbogaerde, who rose to prominence later in his career, the stakes and expectations can hit especially hard.
Looking Ahead to Prague
Despite the disappointment, Vandenbogaerde isn’t dwelling on defeat. His focus has already shifted to the next challenge — the Czech Darts Open in Prague next weekend.
Currently fourth on the reserve list, he’s hopeful for a last-minute call-up. “I’m hoping for a phone call to say I’m in. If I get the chance, I’ll look to make it tough for anyone again. I want to be part of that top group. This is only my fourth year in the PDC, so in many ways I’m still a youngster. I feel young in my head too.”
His passion is unmistakable — and so is his determination. Even with the physical strain of life on tour, Vandenbogaerde remains committed to pushing himself. “After the qualifier on Thursday, I had to go straight to the physio to loosen up my back. Sometimes the body doesn’t cooperate. It’s not all that simple.”
More Than Just a Defeat
While the loss to Noppert stings, Vandenbogaerde’s performance in Antwerp was a testament to his resilience. He remains a crowd favorite and a respected competitor, proving once again that he belongs on the big stage.
And perhaps most importantly, he’s not done yet. “I work hard to get closer to the top. It’s not always easy, but I’m still learning. And I still believe I can go further.”
For Vandenbogaerde, the journey continues — with Prague potentially the next step in a late-blooming career that continues to inspire.
