Saturday afternoon’s session of the World Series of Darts Finals in Amsterdam delivered a dramatic and controversial moment when Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld faced Norway’s Cor Dekker, who was born in the Netherlands.
What began as a highly anticipated clash for the home crowd took an unexpected and bizarre turn, as captured in the footage that quickly became the main talking point of the day. The incident highlights an issue that has surfaced more frequently in recent years within the darts world—one that tournament organizers have yet to adequately resolve.
The fact that the same problem, previously seen in England and Germany, has now also occurred in the Netherlands underscores its growing nature. Unsportsmanlike behavior not only undermines the spirit of the sport but can also derail a player’s performance entirely. While many argue that such conduct should be penalized, those responsible often escape without consequence—something that continues to frustrate fans and professionals alike.
For many darts enthusiasts, Saturday’s events left a bitter taste. The outcome felt unfair and unworthy of the occasion, further fueling the debate over how the sport should address these recurring disruptions.
Evening Session: Spotlight on Dutch Contenders
Despite the controversy, attention now shifts to the evening session, where Dutch players remain well represented. Danny Noppert will face Josh Rock, followed by Kevin Doets taking on Luke Humphries.
The crowd favorite, Michael van Gerwen, will return to the stage against Rob Cross, before Van Barneveld himself meets Gerwyn Price in another high-profile showdown. Fans inside AFAS Live in Amsterdam can look forward to a thrilling program, as the battle continues for the title that was captured last year by Luke Littler.
The reigning world champion will also be in action on Saturday evening, taking on Jonny Clayton, better known as “The Ferret.”
Finals Weekend Ahead
The tournament concludes on Sunday, with both the afternoon and evening sessions set to decide this year’s champion. The key question remains: will the trophy stay in the Netherlands, or will it travel home with one of the international stars?