Donny van de Beek contributed to darts player Dirk van Duijvenbode’s victory over Ross Smith in the third round of the World Darts Championship. The midfielder managed to provoke his compatriot by pointing out statements Smith made in the run-up to the game.
During the match it became clear that there were irritations between Van Duijvenbode and Smith. For example, the Dutchman was annoyed by the Englishman and he imitated his opponent once. Van Duijvenbode, who survived five match darts, said at the press conference afterwards that the irritations already started before the match.
“I thought he acted a little tough. Donny van de Beek pointed this out to me beforehand. He texted me and said, “Do you hear what Ross Smith says?” I had seen his interview on Viaplay, but not his interview on Sky. In it he said that I celebrated my victory more exuberantly than he did at the European Championship. And he said I was more afraid of him than he was of me. I think: dude, I’m not afraid of you at all .’
Van Duijvenbode admits that he was annoyed by Smith’s statements. “Those are things I think about when I’m behind. I don’t care how, but I just keep fighting and don’t give up. He wasn’t annoying on stage, mind you. But every now and then I saw him cheering exuberantly, while he was actually saying things about me.’ Van Duijvenbode made up for a 2-3 deficit in sets (4-3) and will face compatriot Michael van Gerwen on Friday evening.