Bad verbal attack on Ricardo Pietreczko: Superstar Michael van Gerwen, of all people, made extremely derogatory comments about the German hopeful after his confident entry into the quarter-finals of the Darts World Cup.
Pietreczko had previously brought English top favorite Luke Humphries to the brink of defeat in his third round game, but ultimately lost 3-4.
“He (Humphries) should have lost that game, to be clear. But, what’s his name again? Pietreczko. Pietreczko has no balls at all. That’s just how it is. I have to make sure I focus on myself ” said van Gerwen after his smooth 4-0 win against co-favorite Stephen Bunting.
The 34-year-old Dutchman has not yet uttered a sentence in his previous appearances at the Ally Pally.
Other favorites such as Gerwyn Price, Peter Wright and defending champion Michael Smith have already had to give up.
Darts World Cup: Michael van Gerwen also verbally in attack mode
Not only on the oche, but also on the TV microphones, van Gerwen is in attack mode these days.
After reaching the round of 16 against compatriot Richard Veenstra, he makes fun of Luke Littler, the 16-year-old shooting star of the tournament. “He’s still young. He looks like he’s 64, but he’s only 16,” said van Gerwen on “Sport1”.
When asked about Littler’s role model being Phil “The Power” Taylor, “Mighty Mike” replied: “He’s lying! He’s only saying that because Phil Taylor is English, believe me. Believe me. I’ll beat his ass otherwise .”
In principle, it is good that young players are shaking up the sport of darts. “New people have to come up. That’s the way it works: some come up, some step down,” says van Gerwen.