DIMITRI VAN DEN BERGH believes his incredible run to the final of the German Darts Masters can spur him on to success at the Betway World Cup, which begins at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt on Thursday.
The World Championship quarter-finalist enjoyed a remarkable World Series of Darts debut last week as he recorded stunning victories over Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson before losing to Mensur Suljovic in the final.
The young Belgian will now take his World Cup bow alongside Kim Huybrechts and feels confident of continuing his strong run of form into the annual pairs event.
“I'm up for the World Cup of Darts and I'll feel great representing my country,” said the reigning World Youth Champion.
“I want to have more experiences like Friday and a day like this makes you want more.”
“I'll prepare for it well and hopefully we can enjoy a good run in the tournament."
Van Den Bergh enjoyed one of the best days of his career to date at last Friday’s event in Gelsenkirchen, kicking off the day with a 110 average in his opening 6-0 whitewash of Martin Schindler.
He then defeated Van Gerwen and Anderson for the first time in his career, and now has his sights set on pushing towards the top 32 in the Order of Merit
“I gave it my all, winning against Anderson and Van Gerwen are things I've only been dreaming of, but these things happen when you keep believing,” added the young Belgian.
“A result like this is definitely a confidence boost, and if you don't have confidence then you won't get very far.
“I learned a lot and it was a huge step for me. What I showed was all the things I've been working on - I've been putting in the hours, putting in the practice and I'm 100% happy with the result.
“I want to say to every young player to keep believing, and if you work hard then hard work beats talent.
“I know I have a lot more in me, but winning against players like that at this kind of level gives me a lot of belief.”
Van den Bergh and Huybrechts will kick-off their World Cup campaign against the Republic of Ireland, as Belgium look to improve upon their best ever World Cup finish of runners-up in 2013.
The Betway World Cup of Darts will be held at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt, Germany from May 31-June 3, and broadcast live on Sky Sports and worldwide through the PDC's series of broadcast partners.
For tickets, visit www.pdc-europe.tv/tickets.
2018 Betway World Cup of Darts
Schedule of Play
Thursday May 31 (7pm local time, 6pm BST)
First Round
Italy v Canada
Russia v Spain
Switzerland v China
Denmark v Brazil
Wales v Thailand
Australia v Hong Kong
Scotland v United States of America
Austria v Japan
Friday June 1 (7pm local time, 6pm BST)
First Round
New Zealand v Singapore
Greece v Finland
Northern Ireland v Poland
Hungary v South Africa
Belgium v Republic of Ireland
England v Czech Republic
Sweden v Germany
Netherlands v Gibraltar
Saturday June 2
Afternoon Session (1.30pm local time, 12.30pm BST)
Second Round
Wales/Thailand v Switzerland/China
Australia/Hong Kong v Russia/Spain
Austria/Japan v Italy/Canada
Scotland/USA v Denmark/Brazil
Evening Session (7pm local time, 6pm BST)
Second Round
Belgium/Republic of Ireland v Greece/Finland
England/Czech Republic v New Zealand/Singapore
Northern Ireland/Poland v Sweden/Germany
Netherlands/Gibraltar v Hungary/South Africa
Sunday June 3
Afternoon Session (1pm local time, 12pm BST)
Quarter-Finals
Evening Session (7pm local time, 6pm BST)
Semi-Finals
Final
Competing Nations
Seeded Nations
1 Scotland - Peter Wright & Gary Anderson
2 England - Rob Cross & Dave Chisnall
3 Netherlands - Michael van Gerwen & Raymond van Barneveld
4 Australia - Simon Whitlock & Kyle Anderson
5 Wales - Gerwyn Price & Jonny Clayton
6 Northern Ireland - Daryl Gurney & Brendan Dolan
7 Belgium - Kim Huybrechts & Dimitri Van den Bergh
8 Austria - Mensur Suljovic & Zoran Lerchbacher
Other Nations
Brazil - Diogo Portela & Bruno Rangel
Canada - John Part & Dawson Murschell
China - Momo Zhou & Xiaochen Zong
Czech Republic - Roman Benecky & Karel Sedlacek
Denmark - Per Laursen & Henrik Primdal
Finland - Kim Viljanen & Marko Kantele
Germany - Max Hopp & Martin Schindler
Gibraltar - Dyson Parody & Justin Broton
Greece - John Michael & Veniamin Symeonidis
Hong Kong - Royden Lam & Ho Yin Shek
Hungary - Tamas Alexits & Nandor Bezzeg
Italy - Michel Furlani & Alessio Medaina
Japan - Seigo Asada & Haruki Muramatsu
New Zealand - Cody Harris & Warren Parry
Poland - Krzysztof Ratajski & Tytus Kanik
Republic of Ireland - Steve Lennon & William O'Connor
Russia - Boris Koltsov & Aleksandr Oreshkin
Singapore - Paul Lim & Harith Lim
South Africa - Devon Petersen & Liam O'Brien
Spain - Cristo Reyes & Toni Alcinas
Sweden - Daniel Larsson & Dennis Nilsson
Switzerland – Alexander Fehlmann & Andreas Bless
Thailand - Thanawat Gaweenuntavong & Attapol Eupakaree
United States of America - Larry Butler & Darin Young
Prize Fund
Winners (Per Player) £30,000
Runner-Up (Per Player) £16,000
Semi-Finalists (Per Player) £10,000
Quarter-Finalists (Per Player) £7,000
Second Round Losers (Per Player) £4,000
First Round Losers (Per Player) £1,500
Total £300,000
Format
First Round
Best of nine legs Doubles
Second Round, Quarter-Finals & Semi-Finals
The Second Round, Quarter-Finals & Semi-Finals will be played as two best of seven leg 501 Singles matches, with both nations nominating the order in which their players play. In the event of both nations winning one Singles match apiece, a best of seven leg 501 Doubles match will be played to decide the tie.
Final
The Final will be played as two best of seven leg 501 Singles matches, with both nations nominating the order in which their players play the first two matches, followed by a best of seven leg 501 Doubles match and then Reverse Singles matches. The first team to win three games is declared the winner.