VAN GERWEN ‘WENT ON TOO LONG’ AFTER UNTERBUCHNER DIG

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been told he “went on a bit too long” after launching into a brutal rant at German opponent Michael Unterbuchner.

The Dutch star cruised into round three of the European Darts Grand Prix with a 6-2 win over his rival but it was his explosive post-match comments that stole the spotlight.

Unterbuchner had cheekily asked “Against who?” when quizzed about facing the three-time world champ. 

Van Gerwen then ripped into his opponent in his presser and said: “He didn’t make a joke. He is one of them guys that try to be funny. He has never beaten me in his life. 

“He’s not good enough — even my B and C game beats him, but who cares? On to tomorrow. 

“But he doesn’t know who I am, so who am I? The day I am going to worry myself about Unterbuchner, that’s the day I am going to quit playing darts.”

Former pro Vincent van der Voort reckons his pal may have overdone it. 

He told the Darts Draait Door Podcast: “Behind the scenes, Van Gerwen was jokingly asked if he shouldn’t introduce himself to him. With him, you know: you’re going to get it back.

“He did go in with all guns blazing. People must know Van Gerwen a bit by now.  

“It’s not really serious insulting, more joking around and him wanting to say something back. But keeping it in check is hard for him.

“If he plays like he did last weekend, his worst Euro Tour match ever, then he will lose to Unterbuchner too.

“He could have made just one comment and that would have been the end of it. This was quite a long spiel. He really went on a bit too long.

“But that’s just part of him; everyone knows that. He’s known for giving everyone a piece of his mind.” 

Podcast host Damian Vlottes also watched the exchange with mixed feelings and believes it is a shame Van Gerwen now directs his sharpest digs at lesser-known names. 

He added: “He used to put big players like Phil Taylor in their place.” 

Van der Voort understood the comparison but pointed to a stark reality. 

He replied: “With all due respect, It isn’t meant to be mean, but he doesn’t play against the big players as often anymore.

“He doesn’t get far enough in tournaments. So there’s not much to talk about regarding them.”

World No.4 Van Gerwen’s run in Sindelfingen came to a disappointing end in the quarter-finals, where he slumped to a 6-2 defeat against Wessel Nijman while averaging just 82.57.

Image by Taylor Lanning.