'We’ve been spoiled for years with Van Gerwen, now we’re no longer competing for titles' - Disappointment at display of home stars during Dutch Darts Championship 2025

The Dutch Darts Championship took place this past weekend in Rosmalen, marking the seventh stop on the 2025 European Tour. Thirteen Dutch players (originally fourteen, before Michael van Gerwen withdrew at the last minute) were in action — but only one made it as far as the semi-finals. In the end, it was Jonny Clayton who lifted the title, edging out Germany’s Niko Springer 8–6 in Sunday’s final.

Despite Wessel Nijman’s run to the semi-finals, a true Dutch breakthrough at the home event failed to materialise. The young North Hollander carried the nation’s hopes before falling to the tournament’s surprise package, Niko Springer. For the rest of the large Dutch contingent, success was hard to come by.

Even established names like Danny Noppert and Dirk van Duijvenbode didn’t reach the final day, limiting the home crowd’s hopes for a strong Dutch showing — much to the disappointment of former pro Vincent van der Voort. “I wasn’t impressed,” Van der Voort said on Viaplay during the final’s analysis. “Nijman’s semi-final is great, and Noppert played well but was unlucky to lose to the eventual champion. But the rest — that’s really not enough.”

Despite a strong Dutch presence on stage in Rosmalen’s Autotron, players like Jermaine Wattimena and Raymond van Barneveld failed to deliver. The home advantage many hoped would boost performances simply didn’t translate into results.

Darts commentator Jacques Nieuwlaat shared a similar sentiment. “This is something we’ve been seeing more often lately,” he said frankly. “We’ve been spoiled for years with Michael van Gerwen, but the reality now is that we’re no longer seriously competing for titles. We have to be honest about that.”

According to Nieuwlaat, the focus is now shifting toward the next generation. “We’re really waiting for players like Gian van Veen, Wessel Nijman, and others to break through. That’s where the future lies.”

For now, the big Dutch success story on the European Tour remains elusive. All eyes now turn to the next event — and to a new wave of talent ready to take the torch from Van Gerwen and his generation.