Dirk van Duijvenbode has faced a challenging 2024 season, struggling with injuries that have hampered his form and consistency. However, the Dutch darts star showed glimpses of his old self last weekend at the Flanders Darts Trophy, the tenth tournament of the European Tour 2024. His performance at the event suggested that he may be on the path to regaining his best form.
Van Duijvenbode put in an impressive display, making it to the quarter-finals before ultimately falling short against Ricardo Pietreczko in a tightly contested 6-4 defeat. Despite this loss, his journey through the tournament included a significant milestone—an emphatic 6-2 victory over rising darts sensation Luke Littler, during which he posted an outstanding 100+ average.
For the 32-year-old Dutchman, this win was a testament to his ability and the level he aspires to reach once again. Speaking to Sportnieuws.nl, Van Duijvenbode acknowledged Littler’s remarkable talent and admitted that he had to bring his absolute best to secure the victory.
“I saw his average from his first match against Jermaine Wattimena, and I thought, okay, he throws 135 with his first three darts. I can throw that too, but I don’t do it every time,” Van Duijvenbode remarked. “I was SO focused. I thought, Dirk, if you want to win, you have to be at your best. If you win against Luke, then it gives a huge confidence boost. Littler is better than I am and better than a lot of other players.”
Despite handing Littler a rare defeat, Van Duijvenbode was full of praise for the 17-year-old prodigy, going as far as to compare him favorably to darts legend Michael van Gerwen at the same age.
“We’ve never seen a boy play so well,” he continued. “I know Van Gerwen doesn’t like to hear it, but Littler is better than Van Gerwen was when he was 17. He’s not at his best yet. He still has so much to improve and he’s already almost unbeatable.”
Littler’s meteoric rise in the world of darts has captured global attention, with many experts believing he is destined for greatness. His impressive performances in 2024, including victories in several major tournaments, have cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young stars. Even in defeat, the way he carries himself and the level of skill he exhibits continue to earn him admiration from fellow professionals.
For Van Duijvenbode, this tournament was an important step in his quest to return to peak performance. He has endured a difficult season marked by injury setbacks, but his deep run at the Flanders Darts Trophy signals a potential turning point. His next focus is on upcoming competitions, as he looks to build on this momentum.
The European Tour resumes on the weekend of September 20-22 with the Hungarian Darts Trophy, where Van Duijvenbode will once again be aiming for a strong performance. However, before that, he will compete in two Players Championship tournaments, crucial events that could determine his qualification for the prestigious World Grand Prix.
Currently ranked seventeenth on the Pro Tour Order of Merit, Van Duijvenbode finds himself just outside the top 16 cutoff for World Grand Prix qualification, trailing James Wade, who sits in sixteenth place. With only the top 16 players securing a spot in the tournament, every upcoming match will be of immense importance for the Dutchman.
A strong showing in the next few weeks could see Van Duijvenbode secure his place among the elite and take another step toward reclaiming his status as one of the top players in the game. His determination and recent performance suggest he is ready to fight for his place on the big stage.
As the darts calendar progresses, all eyes will be on Van Duijvenbode to see whether he can maintain this resurgence and challenge the top names in the sport. With Littler continuing to dominate and experienced pros like Van Gerwen and Wade standing in his way, the competition remains fierce. But if his performance at the Flanders Darts Trophy is anything to go by, Van Duijvenbode is far from finished and could yet make a significant impact in 2024.
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