The days following Christmas once again delivered a mix of highs and lows for the Dutch contingent at the World Darts Championship.
The match between Jermaine Wattimena and Gary Anderson proved to be another thrilling encounter, with the Dutchman firmly putting himself in the spotlight. However, opinions were divided over one particular moment during the match that sparked widespread discussion.
ANDERSON MISSES D12 FOR THE NINE! 🤯
UNBELIEVABLE!
So close to the first nine-darter of this year's World Championship!
What an effort from Gary Anderson!#WCDarts | R3 pic.twitter.com/mCeV8hLwZu
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 28, 2025
On social media, praise for Wattimena was almost unanimous, with fans applauding his passion and intensity. In the Dutch Viaplay studio, however, analysts took a more nuanced view. While there was clear appreciation for his performance, criticism was also voiced regarding his actions at a crucial stage of the contest.
Later in the evening, Raymond van Barneveld shared his perspective, offering a more critical analysis. Wattimena was visibly enjoying the moment, but according to Van Barneveld, it also disrupted his rhythm. The incident occurred at a decisive point in the match, where maximum focus is essential—especially given the level of concentration Wattimena had displayed throughout the contest.
That relentless focus was precisely what made Wattimena’s performance so impressive. Yet, at that moment, he appeared to lose his grip on it, a lapse that ultimately proved costly and contributed to his defeat.
After the match, Wattimena spoke to Arjan van der Giessen with mixed emotions. While naturally disappointed by the loss, he was also proud to leave the World Championship with his head held high.
He had fought valiantly against a superbly performing Gary Anderson, who was in excellent scoring form. Despite packing his bags, Wattimena found the right words to sum up the occasion: “These are the matches the people at home enjoy watching.”
Earlier in the tournament, Dutch fans had already seen Danny Noppert, Wesley Plaisier, and Niels Zonneveld exit after narrow defeats. Despite their losses, all three made a strong impression with memorable performances.
Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen, by contrast, progressed with relatively comfortable 4–1 victories. Alongside them, Kevin Doets remains the only other Dutch player still in the tournament. He will face Nathan Aspinall on Monday afternoon, with hopes of extending the Netherlands’ presence on the World Championship stage.