By Alex Moss
1 JUNE 2017 • 6:05PM
Michael van Gerwen believes the Netherlands will take some stopping in this year’s Betway World Cup of Darts.
The world number one once again teams up alongside Raymond van Barneveld for the annual pairs tournament, which gets underway in Frankfurt, Germany tonight.
The Dutch duo are the 5/4 favourites with tournament sponsors Betway as they target a third triumph for their country in the World Cup this weekend.
“I’m proud to represent my country and team up with Raymond again,” said van Gerwen, speaking to PDC.tv.
“It will be a tough tournament because of the different format and the quality of teams.
“But our target is always the same. That is to win and if we both play our best darts then we should be able to achieve that.”
The Netherlands get their campaign started tomorrow night against the Czech Republic, with van Gerwen and van Barneveld hoping to erase the memory of last year’s dramatic defeat to England in the final by lifting the title for a second time together on Sunday.
2015 finalists Scotland head into the tournament as the 6/4 second favourites, with Gary Anderson and Peter Wright, ranked second and third in the world respectively, teaming up together for the first time since their run to the final two years ago.
Reigning champions England, represented this year by Adrian Lewis and debutant Dave Chisnall are the 11/2 third favourites, with Australia’s Simon Whitlock and Kyle Anderson priced at 25/1 to win their first World Cup title.
The tournament gets underway this evening with eight first round ties, headlined by top seeds Scotland’s clash with Singapore, as well as the opening games for seeded nations Australia, Wales and Belgium.
2017 Betway World Cup of Darts
Thursday June 1 (8pm local time, 7pm BST)
First Round
Thailand v Greece
Hong Kong v Russia
Republic of Ireland v Poland
Japan v Spain
Belgium v New Zealand
Australia v Denmark
Scotland v Singapore
Wales v Finland
Format
Best of nine legs, Doubles
Picture: PDC Europe
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