Latest news with #Huybrechts
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
World Cup of Darts team-mates ignored each other on stage as feud escalated
Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts formed one of the most explosive partnerships in World Cup of Darts history, but they won't play together at the 2025 event One of the most infamous pairings in World Cup of Darts history has been broken up. For the first time at the event, which is underway in Frankfurt, Belgian No.1 Dimitri Van den Bergh and World Grand Prix champion Mike De Decker have teamed up for their country as they bid to topple overwhelming favourites, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries of England. At the last two tournaments, Van den Bergh has been paired with Kim Huybrechts, with dramatic and hilarious consequences. Prior to the start of the 2023 event, unbeknownst to most observers, the pair had had a spectacular falling out and were not on speaking terms. And they made no secret of their animosity towards each other during their opening match, a 4-0 win against Finland. The pair couldn't even bring themselves to look at each other during the tie. At the end of the game, there was no handshake or hug. Instead, as Van den Bergh danced around the stage in customary fashion, Huybrechts made a hasty exit. Realising they had embarrassed themselves and Belgian darts, the pair released a statement, vowing to put on a more united front in their next matches. The statement said: 'Following last night's win at the My Diesel Claim World Cup of Darts, we have sat down to discuss our recent differences. 'Whilst some issues remain to be resolved in the fullness of time, we are both fully committed to doing our best as a team to win the World Cup of Darts for Belgium, and to represent ourselves, our families and our country in the best light. That begins with tonight's game against China, and our focus is now on preparing for that match as a team." Amid speculation over the root of their feud, there were claims it stemmed from Van den Bergh making a complaint to the PDC about Huybrechts. The pair did indeed manage to put their differences aside for the rest of the tournament. Having given each other the cold shoulder, the pair looked like bosom buddies in their following matches. High-fives and hugs were suddenly the order of the day, much to the amusement of watching fans. Their newfound camaraderie threatened to take them all the way, but eventual champions Wales ended their dramatic run at the semi-final stage. However, that run failed to bring them closer together and on the eve of last year's tournament, Van den Bergh revealed that he and Huybrechts were still at odds. He told Sky Sports: 'I wasn't interested in anything of that. Everybody needs to know that me and Kim are not best friends, and that's period.' As a result, speculation was rife over how they could co-exist at the 2024 event. Speaking after their group stage win over Singapore, Van den Bergh attempted to play down their rift, saying: 'We're here for Belgium. We have learned a lot from last year. We haven't showed the best in the first game last year and this year we're in the position to say we've got to grow up, we've got to be adults. 'We've got a whole load of pressure on ourselves. What is that, our national colours. That means so much more to us as a person and in that case that means even more to us as a country. That's what we're doing and need to be doing, and that's being professional.' The pair made it through to the last four again, only to suffer a heavy defeat to Austria in what could be the last time they join forces following the emergence of De Decker, who is now Belgium's top-ranked player, just ahead of Van den Bergh, while Huybrechts has tumbled down the rankings. This year, fifth seeds Belgium are in Group B with Latvia and the Philippines. The winners of each group advance to the second round, where the top four seeds, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, enter the competition.
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘All sorts of silly nonsense going on' – Darts duo embroiled in on-stage row as it emerges what kicked off public spat
DART ATTACK 'All sorts of silly nonsense going on' – Darts duo embroiled in on-stage row as it emerges what kicked off public spat Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DARTS stars Ritchie Edhouse and Kim Huybrechts were involved in an on-stage row at the Dutch Darts Championship. The Belgian was 3-0 up but threw away his lead to lose 6-5 in a thrilling deciding leg. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Ritchie Edhouse and Kim Huybrechts exchange angry words at the end of their game Credit: PDC 4 Their spat occurred after Huybrechts lost 6-5 Credit: PDC 4 Edhouse claims the Belgian had the 'hump' Credit: PDC Tensions boiled over in the latter stages as Edhouse missed two match darts and appeared to blame fans. Both players were being put off by the crowd and after his nearly costly error, the man nicknamed Madhouse turned to supporters and made a whistling gesture at them. But it only made the atmosphere more tense as Huybrechts stepped up to the oche and bust his score. He then made the same gesture to the crowd as Edhouse took his second chance to win the match. READ MORE IN DARTS DARTS SPLIT Van Gerwen announces split from wife Daphne & pulls out of upcoming tournament The Englishman celebrated wildly and let out another huge whistle at spectators to a chorus of boos. Edhouse then turned to Huybrechts for a handshake, which was seemingly snubbed and angry words were exchanged between the two. The confrontation shocked commentator Dan Dawson, who said: "All sorts of silly nonsense going on there. "Some posturing, some awful darts and ultimately a good one in double one sees the European champion through to round two." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Asked about the incident post-match, Edhouse said: "Me and Kim, there is a lot of history. Little whistles, I done it back and Kim got the hump with it.' Edhouse again worked his deciding leg magic to see off Dave Chisnall in the second round today. But Michael van Gerwen will not be competing against him for the title after announcing he has broken up his wife Daphne and withdrawn from the event.
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Darts star, 39, had ‘Barney attack' on stage and smashed trophy into ‘a thousand pieces' in rage
KIM HUYBRECHTS had a 'Barney attack' on stage before his trophy smashed into 'a thousand pieces'. The 39-year-old is one of the top darts stars around. Advertisement 1 Kim Huybrechts has opened up on his dismal performance at the International Darts Open Credit: Rex Yet he has not added to the two European Tour titles that came earlier in his career. And he followed that up two years later with success at the European Darts Grand Prix. However, Huybrechts was unable to land a third trophy in 2016 at the International Darts Open. Advertisement READ MORE IN DARTS He ended up losing 6-5 to Mensur Suljovic in Germany and missed NINE match darts. He has now opened up on the brutal event, making light of fellow darts star Raymond van Barneveld while also revealed his runner-up trophy didn't make the cut. Huybrechts told the 'We were given a trophy, of course. And naturally, I got the runner-up trophy. Advertisement Most read in Darts Exclusive BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'You have to do the photos first — I wasn't exactly smiling in those. I even gave a few sarcastic thumbs up to the crowd when they announced me as the runner-up. 'No middle fingers, although I really wanted to. Luke Littler taunts fans with 'crying' gesture after Man Utd fan suffers abuse at Premier League Darts in Leeds 'After the final, I went backstage and, of course, it was a beautiful glass trophy. Advertisement 'Well, it didn't survive the trip. It ended up in a thousand pieces with the camera crew. 'At the next tournament, someone turned up with a cardboard box and said, 'You forgot something in Riesa.' "I opened it up, and inside were all the shards of the trophy.'
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Darts star, 39, had ‘Barney attack' on stage and smashed trophy into ‘a thousand pieces' in rage
But his crew had a special surprise later on DART OF WAR Darts star, 39, had 'Barney attack' on stage and smashed trophy into 'a thousand pieces' in rage Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KIM HUYBRECHTS had a 'Barney attack' on stage before his trophy smashed into 'a thousand pieces'. The 39-year-old is one of the top darts stars around. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Kim Huybrechts has opened up on his dismal performance at the International Darts Open Credit: Rex Yet he has not added to the two European Tour titles that came earlier in his career. Huybrecht's first triumph came at the Dutch Darts Masters in 2013. And he followed that up two years later with success at the European Darts Grand Prix. However, Huybrechts was unable to land a third trophy in 2016 at the International Darts Open. READ MORE IN DARTS GERRARD SLIPS AGAIN Blow to Gerrard as he loses eye-watering sum after pal's firm closes He ended up losing 6-5 to Mensur Suljovic in Germany and missed NINE match darts. He has now opened up on the brutal event, making light of fellow darts star Raymond van Barneveld while also revealed his runner-up trophy didn't make the cut. Huybrechts told the Darts Draai Door podcast: 'That's when I had a 'Barney attack' on stage. 'We were given a trophy, of course. And naturally, I got the runner-up trophy. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'You have to do the photos first — I wasn't exactly smiling in those. I even gave a few sarcastic thumbs up to the crowd when they announced me as the runner-up. 'No middle fingers, although I really wanted to. Luke Littler taunts fans with 'crying' gesture after Man Utd fan suffers abuse at Premier League Darts in Leeds 'After the final, I went backstage and, of course, it was a beautiful glass trophy. 'Well, it didn't survive the trip. It ended up in a thousand pieces with the camera crew. 'At the next tournament, someone turned up with a cardboard box and said, 'You forgot something in Riesa.' "I opened it up, and inside were all the shards of the trophy.'
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Darts star, 39, had ‘Barney attack' on stage and smashed trophy into ‘a thousand pieces' in rage
KIM HUYBRECHTS had a 'Barney attack' on stage before his trophy smashed into 'a thousand pieces'. The 39-year-old is one of the top darts stars around. 1 Yet he has not added to the two European Tour titles that came earlier in his career. Huybrecht's first triumph came at the Dutch Darts Masters in 2013. And he followed that up two years later with success at the European Darts Grand Prix. However, Huybrechts was unable to land a third trophy in 2016 at the International Darts Open. He ended up losing 6-5 to Mensur Suljovic in Germany and missed NINE match darts. He has now opened up on the brutal event, making light of fellow darts star Raymond van Barneveld while also revealed his runner-up trophy didn't make the cut. Huybrechts told the Darts Draai Door podcast: 'That's when I had a 'Barney attack' on stage. 'We were given a trophy, of course. And naturally, I got the runner-up trophy. 'You have to do the photos first — I wasn't exactly smiling in those. I even gave a few sarcastic thumbs up to the crowd when they announced me as the runner-up. 'No middle fingers, although I really wanted to. Luke Littler taunts fans with 'crying' gesture after Man Utd fan suffers abuse at Premier League Darts in Leeds 'After the final, I went backstage and, of course, it was a beautiful glass trophy. 'Well, it didn't survive the trip. It ended up in a thousand pieces with the camera crew. 'At the next tournament, someone turned up with a cardboard box and said, 'You forgot something in Riesa.' "I opened it up, and inside were all the shards of the trophy.'
