DE DECKER: I’M FINALLY FEELING COMFORTABLE AGAIN

MIKE DE DECKER believes he’s turned a corner despite Belgium’s heartbreaking World Cup exit.

The Real Deal and Dimitri Van den Bergh crashed out 8-7 against Northern Ireland in the second round.

World No21 De Decker emerged from the tournament with renewed confidence after producing some of his best darts in months and showing glimpses of the form that saw him lift the World Grand Prix title in 2024.

De Decker has endured a difficult campaign, failing to progress beyond the second round on the European Tour and reaching just one Players Championship quarter-final.

But after a series of impressive displays in Frankfurt, De Decker believes his game is finally moving in the right direction.

He said: “Such a shame. But I do have a good feeling.

“If you look at my last year and a half, then I think I threw reasonably well at this World Cup of Darts. Especially at the important moments, I was there.”

De Decker pointed to a series of clutch finishes that helped Belgium move into a commanding position against Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney before the deciding leg ultimately slipped away.

He added: “I take out 80 at an important moment, as well as 62 and 77. At the moments when it had to happen, I was there. Only that last leg sticks with me.

“Then I throw 57 and 60 or something like that. That is painful, especially on your own leg. In a match like that, you cannot put that right anymore.”

Belgium appeared in complete control at 5-2 up before the interval, only for Northern Ireland to seize the momentum after the break and battle back into the contest.

He continued: “The break broke our flow a little.

“I came back onto the stage with exactly the same feeling as before. Only the Northern Irish started throwing better.

“Dimitri then still had chances for 6-3 and later for 7-5. If those go in, you probably win the match. That happens.

“A shame, because despite the tough draw, we could have won here.”

Despite the disappointment, De Decker believes the major event has provided the perfect platform to kickstart the rest of his season.

He said: “Overall, things were good for me and we will build on that.

“I feel much more comfortable than I have felt at any point over the past eighteen months.

“This was even my weakest match of the three I played here, but I actually did not throw a bad match. That is the most important thing for me.

“I can go into the next Players Championship events straight away with confidence to score pounds.

“This tournament was a good barometer of where I stand. Of course this defeat hurts, but I am mainly pleased that I have been able to show again what I can do.

“I take a lot of confidence from that.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.