VAN GERWEN CRITICAL OF GERMAN DARTS SCENE
07/04/2025 By Aaron Nijjar
By Aaron Nijjar
MICHAEL van Gerwen has launched a stinging criticism of German darts after claiming the country is “better at watching than playing”.
Three-time World champion Van Gerwen missed Thursday’s Premier League Darts night in Berlin due to a shoulder injury.
Over 12,000 fans packed out the sold-out Mercedes-Benz Arena, yet no German player featured on the night and according to Van Gerwen, that says everything.
He told BILD: “Germans are better at watching darts than playing it.
“For a country the size of Germany, their players are massively underperforming.
“How is it that the Netherlands produces far better darters?”
Germany’s top-ranked player, Martin Schindler, currently sits at world No. 22.
However, MVG doesn’t believe a Premier League spot is on the horizon for any German players.
World No. 1 Luke Humphries echoed the same sentiment.
He said: “You can’t put German players in the Premier League if they’re not winning major tournaments.”
Some fans and pundits have called for greater international representation in the Premier League.
But Van Gerwen and Humphries agree — selection should be based on performance, not popularity.
‘The Green Machine’ added: “Everything in darts has to be earned.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
