After weeks clouded by doubt, criticism, and underwhelming performances, Michael van Gerwen roared back to form this weekend, capturing the 2025 World Series of Darts Finals at AFAS Live in Amsterdam. The win marked the Dutchman’s first televised trophy in two years, silencing skeptics and reigniting his champion’s flame.
“If someone had said that on Friday, you would have thought he wasn’t right in the head,” remarked Vincent van der Voort on the popular podcast Darts Draait Door. Expectations for Van Gerwen were low heading into the tournament. His recent form had been patchy, and the draw was daunting, featuring top contenders such as Rob Cross, Luke Humphries, Josh Rock, and Luke Littler. Yet, the three-time world champion delivered performances reminiscent of his prime.
Van der Voort added, “He really had a tough draw — all top players. When was the last time he faced such a run of matches?” With a tournament average of 102, Van Gerwen demonstrated he remains capable of playing at the highest level. Podcast host Damian Vlottes echoed the sentiment: “Finally, the confirmation that he’s still got it. That’s incredibly important.”
The victory came at a poignant time for Van Gerwen, who has recently endured a difficult personal period following his divorce. The presence of his eight-year-old daughter Zoë made the triumph even more special. “On the way back in the car, she immediately fell asleep on his shoulder. After a weekend like that, of course, you’re completely spent,” Van der Voort reflected. Van Gerwen himself fought back tears during the post-match interview: “Everyone knows where I come from and how hard I had to work. This gives me a lot of satisfaction.” Celebrations were lively too — Van der Voort revealed, “He had 37 guests with him yesterday. When you win, you have friends.”
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The Fine Line Between Success and Defeat
Van Gerwen’s path to the title wasn’t without near-misses. In the very first round, he narrowly escaped elimination when Wessel Nijman missed a crucial match dart on double 16. “It’s as simple as that,” Van der Voort explained. “Michael faced two match darts early on. If Nijman’s 112 checkout had gone, Van Gerwen would’ve been out straight away.”
Nijman performed admirably but visibly felt the pressure. “You could see the tension on his face, which is normal given his limited experience. But starting the deciding leg needing 41 still haunts him,” Vlottes observed. Meanwhile, Van Gerwen displayed the hallmark of a true champion — the ability to win when it counts.
From there, ‘Mighty Mike’ powered past Rob Cross, capped by a phenomenal 122 finish, then overcame Luke Humphries and Josh Rock in high-quality contests. Van der Voort called his match against Rock perhaps the best of the weekend. “This is the difference between very good players and winners. Michael knows what it takes to win tournaments. He’s not afraid of the big moments.”
Even in the final against teenage prodigy Luke Littler, Van Gerwen held strong, though fatigue was evident by the end. “That’s maybe the only criticism,” Van der Voort admitted. “He’s fitter than before, but at the end, you could see he was drained. Yet he still produced a decisive 130 checkout — that’s pure class.”
The Crowd’s Role: Support or Pressure?
A recurring theme during the podcast was the crowd’s influence. Van Gerwen is known for commanding the audience’s energy, but other Dutch players had less fortunate experiences. Cor Dekker, a Dutch-born player representing Norway, faced intense boos when he missed six match darts against Raymond van Barneveld. “Everyone wanted Raymond to win,” Van der Voort noted. “It’s harsh, but not surprising. Missing six match darts is brutal, and the crowd can be merciless.”
Dekker’s refusal to congratulate Van Barneveld afterwards sparked criticism, with Van der Voort suggesting it showed a lack of maturity: “It’s tough, but not giving a handshake isn’t a good look.”
Van Barneveld survived that scare but then faced Gerwyn Price, who appeared physically drained despite recent weight loss. Van der Voort commented, “Normally Price screams everything together, but he looked worn out here, like he might collapse any moment.” Price’s depleted energy cost him the semifinal against Littler, where he gave up the match despite holding a 9-6 lead.
The New Generation Rising
The tournament also highlighted the strength of darts’ new generation. Luke Littler impressed once again, though Van Gerwen ultimately prevailed in the final. Josh Rock confirmed his status as an emerging star but still lacks that ruthless edge. “For how well Rock throws, he doesn’t win enough,” Van der Voort said. “That’s the difference with Michael — when he’s on, he wins.”
This contrast makes Van Gerwen’s triumph even more significant: against the sport’s future, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
When asked how it felt to be the first player this year to beat both Humphries and Littler on a big stage and still take home the title, Van Gerwen’s trademark confidence shone through: “Was I the first? I’ll also be the second and the third.” Van der Voort wasn’t surprised. “He’s always at the extremes — never just a simple answer.”
Can Van Gerwen Sustain This Form?
The big question now is whether Van Gerwen can maintain this resurgence. Van der Voort offered a cautious note: “This is one tournament, and that’s fantastic. But he needs to keep this going. After the Worlds, we said he was back — and then we didn’t see much.”
For now, though, Michael van Gerwen has reminded the darts world that when he’s at his best, he’s still among the very best.
