Van Duijvenbode left frustrated after hand pain and World Series Finals heartbreak

DIRK VAN DUIJVENBODE admitted “every dart” he threw was hurting as hand pain hampered his World Series Finals exit.

The world No23 blew an 8-6 lead against compatriot Gian van Veen in the Amsterdam quarter-final as he slipped to a 10-8 defeat.

Van Duijvenbode, 34, was struggling with a physical problem throughout the contest, although he refused to use it as an excuse for the loss.

He told Viaplay: “Every dart I throw hurts. Sometimes it bothers me and then I hit a 180 the next visit. I couldn’t explain it. I’ve had it all weekend, really.

“Pain in my hand, I don’t get it, man. I’m not putting it up as a big excuse either, because I had enough chances.

“I honestly didn’t get it at all. Then it hurts and you end up throwing absolute rubbish again.”

The Aubergenius had a chance to move 9-6 ahead after leaving a 123 checkout but narrowly missed the bullseye before Van Veen fought back to level the match.

He added: “At the start I was just a lot worse than him. Then he dipped as well. It’s not like I suddenly got much better, but he dropped a bit.

“It was 140, 180 or 46, 58, 23, 3. It was really poor. When it had to happen, I didn’t produce. I can say pain played a role, but that’s not the reason either. Apparently it’s a bit of uncertainty or something.

“That 123 came after an unbelievably bad leg. And then you clip the bull on the wire. If that goes in, it’s 9-6 and I don’t think I lose.

“You give him confidence there, because he breaks, then gets to throw first and it’s level. I couldn’t get over that.

“In that last leg: 180, 180 and then I miss. He then throws a 12-darter. That’s fantastic from him. He just does that well.

“Of course I’m angry with myself, but I don’t think he’ll be happy with his game either. Neither of us were at it. In the end he was simply the better player. That’s it. On to the next one.”

Van Duijvenbode has enjoyed a superb season, reaching a ProTour final as well as the semi-finals of the World Matchplay.

He returns to action on Tuesday afternoon at Players Championship 29 in Rosmalen.

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning