Michael van Gerwen can become world champion for the fourth time in his career on Tuesday evening. Then he has to win against Michael Smith, for whom the match in London is a home game. However, according to darts connoisseur Arjan van der Giessen, Mighty Mike is bursting with self-confidence and has a great chance of winning.
“Van Gerwen had a lesser period, in recent years he had less self-confidence because he won less. But his self-confidence came back after his wrist operation,” said Van der Giessen, referring to an operation in the hospital in June 2022. Van Gerwen had long suffered from the so-called carpal tunnel syndrome. This causes problems in the passage between the forearm and the hand through which nerves and tendons run.
‘It promises to be an exciting match’
The operation went well and then the Brabant player won the Premier League Darts, the World Grand Prix and the Players Championship Finals. “That was so good for his confidence that he is now the big favorite for the World Cup win,” said Van der Giessen. “He has fulfilled that role of favorite so far. But tonight we have to wait and see. Smith is not in the final for nothing. It promises to be a great and exciting match.”
According to the darts connoisseur, if Van Gerwen wins the fourth world title, that will be the crowning glory of his work. “Van Gerwen can then return to first place in the PDC Order of Merit and that is his goal. I think he will achieve that too.”
It is a ranking that keeps track of which darts player has won the most prize money in two years. Van Gerwen is now third with £900,000. However, the winner of the World Cup collects 500,000 pounds. The losing finalist gets £200,000.
