Dirk van Duijvenbode advanced to the next round of the European Darts Trophy with a 6-2 victory over Mario Vandenbogaerde in Gottingen, but the Dutchman was candid about his performance, admitting he was far from his best. Despite the convincing scoreline, Van Duijvenbode revealed he deliberately shifted his focus away from aesthetics and averages, prioritizing simply securing the win. "Today I'm not on my best," he said, noting that even during warm-ups, his game wasn't clicking despite strong practice sessions leading into the tournament.
Van Duijvenbode explained his adjusted mindset during the match: "Make sure you win. So don't be bothered about your averages, how quick the leg is, how you win it. Win it." He emphasized that this approach was a departure from his usual high standards, where he typically demands excellence from himself. "Normally I can't take this approach because I have such high standards for myself," he stated, adding that he had to remind himself repeatedly to focus solely on the result amid the adrenaline of competition.
The value of an "ugly" win was not lost on Van Duijvenbode, who acknowledged that such matches are sometimes unavoidable in professional darts. By concentrating purely on the outcome, he managed to control the encounter and close it out comfortably. Looking ahead, he now sets his sights on a second-round clash against Rob Cross, hoping to rediscover his top form. With the win secured, he remains optimistic, drawing confidence from his practice sessions that better performances are within reach as the tournament progresses.
