Dimitri Van den Bergh's dreams are becoming a reality ahead of his World Cup debut
"I cannot wait to be on that stage with the national shirt of Belgium on my body. It's going to be awesome for me"
Friday 1 June 2018 13:05, UK
Dimitri Van den Bergh is set to make his World Cup of Darts debut for Belgium on Friday, and the World Youth champion is relishing the prospect of representing his country for the very first time in Frankfurt.
Van den Bergh has always possessed incredible potential but over recent months his game has matured significantly, which has seen him to live up to his 'Dream-Maker' nickname.
He posted the highest average ever seen in a PDC Youth final when crowned as World Youth champion in November, before producing a string of superb displays to reach the World Championship quarter-finals, until he was edged out in a gripping final set by eventual winner Rob Cross.
The 23-year-old also made his World Series debut in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 20,000 fans at last week's German Darts Masters, where he sensationally defeated Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson on the same night, before losing out to Mensur Suljovic in the final.
The young Belgian will now make his World Cup of Darts bow alongside Kim Huybrechts on Friday night, and he is determined to savour the occasion.
"I cannot wait to be on that stage with the national shirt of Belgium on my body. It's going to be awesome for me. If it wasn't for Kim I wouldn't be in the PDC now, because if he had never introduced me to my manager then I wouldn't be standing where I am today.
Live World Cup of Darts
"It's going to be awesome to play the pair's tournament - the World Cup of Darts - on the same side as Kim. It's going to be amazing. We definitely get along well with each other. It's not like real family but I still look to them as family because I have actually grown up with them," he added.
It's clear that representing his country gives Van den Bergh an enormous sense of pride, and that's largely because it gives him the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his father Chris, who was also a former Belgium international, as Dimitri proudly recalls.
"He represented Belgium for like ten years in a row in the national team. He knows what it's about and he's been playing against the big guys back in the time like Taylor.
"My Dad has seen everything and especially when it comes to International experiences, playing on a stage, winning tournaments, he just knows it all.
"He gave me a lot of pointers, a lot of tips and obviously he says: 'Dimi, the talent you have; put the time in, work hard and you'll know that if you believe in yourself, you will achieve everything that you're dreaming about'."
Van den Bergh constantly refers to 'dreaming', but those dreams have very much become a reality over recent months, and understandably he's brimming with confidence after claiming maiden career victories over Van Gerwen and Anderson on the same night.
"It definitely gives me a ton of confidence because those are things I've only been dreaming about and all of a sudden it went my way, and especially in front of a crowd of 20,000 people in an arena that was huge. Pulling those wins off in front of a crowd like that, you can say any player that has that, they will be over the moon."
The World Cup is one of the most unique and captivating events on the PDC calendar, and the combination of the short format coupled with the doubles aspect ensures it is a tournament synonymous with shocks.
Although this will be Van den Bergh's first experience at the World Cup, he anticipates that his experience of playing the pairs format in Belgian local leagues will hold him in good stead.
"It's not really a difference in preparation, you just need to be prepared in the way you always are, because at the end you're still just throwing those same three darts.
"Of course when I play league games back in Belgium, I've been experienced in playing pairs games and to be honest, sometimes it does me good as I'm more relaxed. The slower the player is or the slower the games goes, the better I focus myself."
Belgium are seventh seeds in Frankfurt and could potentially take on England in the quarter-finals. They have an impressive record in the competition; finishing as runners-up in 2013 whilst also reaching the semi-finals on three separate occasions.
They face a difficult opening-round tie against the Republic of Ireland pairing of Steve Lennon and William O'Connor, but many people are tipping the Belgians as lively outsiders for this year's crown.
Van den Bergh is one of the most humble and down-to-earth youngsters in the game, but this self-effacing nature is matched by a strong self-belief, and the Antwerp ace is bullish about their prospects.
"If we go over there without thinking we can win, we may as well stay at home. Kim and I will give our best and we will see how far we go. We believe in each other's ability, we believe in the strength we have together as a pair and our individual games, so we will see."
This year marks the first since 2013 where Kim will not be partnered by his older brother Ronny and it underlines the conveyor belt of Belgian talent coming through the PDC ranks.
Mike De Decker and Kenny Neyens have both displayed great promise on the PDC Development Tour and Davy van Baelen has also featured on the Pro Tour circuit in 2018.
Van den Bergh hopes that success at this year's event could inspire a new generation of Belgian talent. and the signs are promising.
"It would definitely be a good step in the direction we need. Darts is slowly building up in Belgium, a lot more people are getting interested, playing some events or doing a demonstration [exhibition], so it's slowly getting better.
"It's slowly getting more known and if that happens, not only for our PDC players but for all the other people that play darts in Belgium, they would love it."
The World Cup of Darts, live from Frankfurt - continues on Sky Sports Action until the tournament's conclusion on Sunday June 3rd.
Keep up to date with the latest darts news, previews, reports, reaction and expert analysis. Get all the latest at www.skysports.com/darts and join in the conversation @SkySportsDarts- don't forget to use #LoveTheDarts.
