On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Netherlands kicked off their 2025 World Cup of Darts campaign in style with a commanding 4–0 victory over Italy in Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle. Danny Noppert and rising star Gian van Veen barely broke a sweat as they swept aside the Italian duo, setting the tone for what they hope will be a deep run in the tournament.
The Dutch pair were in complete control from the start, showing sharp scoring and composure on the doubles. Italy offered little resistance, and Van Veen admitted he was surprised by just how comfortable the win was.
“I honestly expected more from them,” said Van Veen. “It was much easier than I thought it would be. But it’s a great way to get into the tournament — we’re feeling confident.”
Despite being the lower-ranked player, it was Van Veen who got the nod to throw first in each leg. Noppert, ever the team player, explained the decision. “If you look at the whole year, Gian’s been the better player — especially when it comes to scoring. It just made sense,” Noppert said. “Plus, it’s a choice we’re making with the rest of the weekend in mind. There shouldn’t be any discussion about it.”
Next up for the Netherlands is their final group match against Hungary, set for this evening. While many expect another routine win, Noppert is wary of complacency. “On paper, Italy were our toughest opponents. I don’t know much about Hungary, but I’m not going to underestimate them. I’ve done that before and it’s backfired more than once,” he admitted.
Tight Shirts Steal the Spotlight
Oddly enough, the most talked-about topic post-match wasn’t the performance on the oche — it was the team shirts. Several players, including Van Veen, raised concerns about the fit of the kits provided by the PDC. “I asked for an XL, but this feels more like a medium! A XXL would’ve been better,” Van Veen laughed. “It’s tight, uncomfortable, and feels totally different from my usual shirt.”
He added that the issue isn’t unique to him. “A lot of players are saying the same thing. I’ve spoken to the PDC about it, and they’ve promised to look into it for next year. But for now, we’ll just have to get on with it.”
With Italy out of the way and Hungary on the horizon, the Dutch duo are off to a flying start — and if the shirts don’t get in the way, they could be serious contenders this weekend.
More must-reads:
- Predicting the American League Manager of the Year finalists
- Eli Manning wouldn't help Giants QB Jaxson Dart with an unexpected request
- The 'Switch-hitter single-season HR leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
New Jimmy Butler report raises red flags
The Jonathan Kuminga situation has been a nightmare for the Golden State Warriors. The contract stalemate has essentially prevented them from making moves this offseason as they look to capitalize on the remaining years of Stephen Curry's career. Now, they might have an even bigger problem on their hands. According to Warriors insider Dalton Johnson, Jimmy Butler is worried about the team's direction. He reportedly reached out to the front office to get a better understanding of the situation. “In that ESPN article, they mentioned that Draymond and Jimmy have checked in and reached out to Jonathan Kuminga. I can confidently say that Jimmy Butler has also reached out to the team and been like, ‘What’s going on here? I just wanted to know the plan,'” Johnson said on the Dubs Talk podcast. “And of course, Steph, Draymond, Jimmy—they’re in the loop, I understand that.” Of course, that shouldn't raise concerns, and it's standard procedure around the league with star players. Nevertheless, Butler has a long history of power struggles with front offices, and he's not the type of player the Warriors would want going rogue on them. Butler seemed to be 100 percent bought in on the Warriors after his trade saga with the Miami Heat, but we've seen how quickly things can change. He's a hot-tempered individual who has often rubbed his teams the wrong way, and he's going to make sure to let everybody know when he's uncomfortable. The Warriors don't need that type of distraction now, and finding a solution to the Kuminga saga is an imperative, even if that means taking a lesser offer just to get rid of him and move on.
Tigers Skipper Reveals 'Very Concerning' Initial Injury Update On Colt Keith
Things are not looking great for the Detroit Tigers right now in more ways than one. They are struggling on the field by dropping seven of their last 10 that includes a sweep against their division rival Cleveland Guardians. Their once comfortable AL Central lead is now down to 3.5 games, which is nerve-wracking based on what else occurred on Thursday. As if this sweep wasn't enough, the Tigers delivered some brutal news when it comes to Colt Keith. He was pulled from the matchup with what was described as back tightness, and based on what manager A.J. Hinch said after the game, it doesn't sound good. "He was coming off and all he was saying to me was, 'I got to come out of the game. I got to come out of the game,'" Hinch said via Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. "It's very concerning this time of year, especially when he was that passionate about something going on in his back/side/rib region." By the sounds of it, things appear as if Keith's season is in jeopardy with just nine games remaining before the playoffs get underway. The 24-year-old had slashed .254/.332/.409 with 13 home runs and 44 RBI through 136 games going into Thursday, showing some real flashes of brilliance at times. If he is indeed out, the Tigers have a couple of options, but none of them are ideal. Back To Platooning Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibáñez Detroit went into the season with a major question mark at the hot corner. Their inability to sign Alex Bregman in free agency and then the injury suffered by utility man Matt Vierling has been a major reason why there's been a revolving door at third base. Because of that, outside of Keith, Zach McKinstry and Andy Ibáñez are the only two players with over 100 plate appearances at that position. The Tigers will likely now have to back to platooning with those two players, which is far from ideal. The pair has been prone to extreme streakiness, but this strategy is probably still the safest and most likely option. Jace Jung Jung was supposed to be the heir apparent to the position after Detroit missed out on Bregman, but he did not seize his opportunity. He was largely dreadful when he did get the chance to play, which forced the Tigers to send him back to Triple-A Toledo. He has had a solid season in Triple-A, though, slashing .252/.370/.447 with 17 home runs and 74 RBI in 110 games played. But in 18 games for Detroit, his OPS was right around the .350 mark and he simply could not get going. Jung has struggled in his limited big league opportunities, but the Tigers may not have much other choice than to give him another shot with Keith picking up this injury. Kevin McGonigle Admittedly, this one is a complete long shot. The Tigers have said repeatedly that McGonigle is not getting called up this year, so asking him to make his debut in the midst of a tight divisional race before the playoffs get underway is unlikely. Desperate times call for desperate measures, though, and the fanbase is going to clamor for their top prospect to be called up in order to save the day. No matter who the replacement winds up being, the fact that Keith is going to miss some time could be the final blow to a team who has fought through tons of adversity this year but may just be running out of steam at the worst possible point. The next move is to wait and see on just how significant the injury is for Keith, but if it's serious, it would likely spell the end of his season. More Tigers News
Bengals QB Joe Burrow has a worrying complication for surgery
The timeline for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's return from a toe injury is murky, and the star has a complication that could delay his surgery, pushing back the time he can play again this season. Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Burrow is set to have surgery on his toe on Friday, but that could be pushed back based on how much swelling the quarterback is experiencing. Joe Burrow's swelling is another complication for the Cincinnati Bengals A three-month recovery would put Burrow's return date around Week 16, when the Bengals are set to play the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 21. If the swelling doesn't go away soon, he could miss more time this season. Every game is precious for a Cincinnati team that entered the season believing it could contend for the playoffs. However, the Bengals will be fortunate to be in the chase for a wild-card spot without Burrow for the majority of the season. The Bengals started the season 2-0 with wins over the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, but backup quarterback Jake Browning will have his hands full in the coming weeks, starting with the Minnesota Vikings and elite defensive coordinator Brian Flores on Sunday. Browning went 21-of-32 for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in the Bengals' 31-27 win over the Jaguars. The turnovers are an issue, and Cincinnati needs to consider pulling off a trade for a quarterback like Jameis Winston of the New York Giants or Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons if it hopes to make the postseason.
Chargers star Khalil Mack's outlook is better than expected
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack will be out for a few weeks after dislocating his elbow during Monday night’s matchup with the Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Who will take Khalil Mack's place for the Los Angeles Chargers? The injury is not season-ending, but Los Angeles will need one of its depth outside linebackers to take Mack’s place for the time being. That will likely be veteran Bud Dupree, who replaced Mack on Monday and has significantly more experience than third-year UDFA Caleb Murphy or fourth-round rookie Kyle Kennard. At the moment, it seems unlikely that the Chargers will make a signing to bolster their OLB depth. Mack’s injury is not expected to be long-term, and the pool of free-agent edge-rushers has suddenly dried up after both Preston Smith and Jadeveon Clowney signed with new teams this week. The Chargers did host their rival's former draft bust on a visit. Instead, the Chargers’ plan will likely be as follows: Dupree will start, with Murphy receiving a bump in snaps as the No. 3 edge-rusher and Kennard making his NFL debut after two healthy scratches to start the year. The team was comfortable with only four active outside linebackers in Weeks 1 and 2, so it may not feel the need to make an elevation from the practice squad. Mack, 34, was quiet in Week 1 against the Chiefs but looked better on Monday with one sack and one tackle for loss in Las Vegas. He re-signed with the Chargers this offseason on a one-year, $18M deal after six sacks in 2024.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
