RAYMOND VAN BARNEVELD is targeting Unibet Premier League survival in Rotterdam next week after claiming his first victory of the season.
The 2014 Premier League champion is competing in his final season of the event ahead of his impending retirement, but found himself rooted to the foot of the table following six winless weeks.
However, a 7-3 win over Max Hopp at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin on Thursday saw Van Barneveld claim his first victory of the season, landing a 170 checkout along the way.
Van Barneveld now plays basement rival Daryl Gurney in a crucial clash at Rotterdam Ahoy on Wednesday before then taking on Michael van Gerwen on Thursday in an all-Dutch affair.
Having only claimed two draws in his opening six matches, the Dutch hero now sits just one point behind 2018 Premier League finalist Michael Smith in the run-in to Judgement Night.
"You never give up - there is always belief," said Van Barneveld. "To play for this amazing crowd in Rotterdam, always in orange, is hard for your opponents but you still have to play your A-game.
"I need two wins to maybe survive and even with two wins I'm not 100 percent sure yet. Hopefully I can manage these two wins.
"Anything is possible, as long as you play your best game. The weekend in Wigan did me good to reach a final again.
"It's hard for me in my private life at the moment. Last weekend in Wigan helped me realise I can still play this game, reaching the final against Adrian Lewis and hitting 20 180s that day.
"Suddenly you go from zero to hero and start believing and thinking you still can do that."
Van Barneveld went into his clash with Hopp having seen Gurney overcome Van Gerwen earlier in the evening in Berlin to pull away from the five-time World Champion at the foot of the table.
However, Van Barneveld added: "I never felt pressure.
"I can't blame any other player because I was playing bad myself. You have to play proper games yourself, keep focusing yourself.
"Maybe Max was a little bit nervous - it was his first time in the Premier League and in front of an amazing crowd, I love to play in Germany.
"He had a fantastic finish in the first leg and he let me in. I got back with a 170 and I'm happy with the win. There is still hope for next week."
The Premier League continues with a double-header at Rotterdam Ahoy on March 27-28, with the two nights culminating in Judgement Night which will see the ninth-placed player in the league table eliminated.
For tickets, visit Ticketmaster or call 0900 300 1250 (Ned) 0031 88 123 24 25 (Outside Ned).
