MVG RIVALS ARE GREEN WITH ENVY
also brings pressure to perform. I’ve been on a fantastic run since I lost against Phil in the Champions League of Darts on the BBC, but I hope I can do more.
“I know people are waiting for me, I know I am now the one with a target on my back.
“But I enjoy winning and I am enjoying being world champion again.
“I was taken on a lap of honour around the PSV Eindhoven ground, which was something special because things like that don’t normally happen to someone like me.
“They even baked me a special MVG cake. It looked a bit ugly, but it tasted good.”
Mirror Sport decided it was time to put MVG’s unbeaten record to the test.
So when the Professional Darts Corporation announced a new commercial partnership with Just Eat, our man – who follows the online food and delivery firm’s instruction to the letter – took on the world champion.
Remarkably, Van Gerwen was staring defeat in the face after leaving me a 151 checkout – admittedly after a head start of 200 – before sanity prevailed.
The Dutchman’s sledging – “Are you sure you’re right-handed?” – didn’t help his wayward opponent, but in a spirit of sportsmanship I will not be reporting him to the Darts Regulatory Authority – especially if he maintains his winning streak in TV Majors tonight. GREEN machine Michael van Gerwen believes opponents are intimidated and beaten by the sight of his Shrekcoloured shirt.
The world champion puts his remarkable 167-day unbeaten run on TV at the mercy of Peter Wright in the Betway Premier League at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena after Gary Anderson held him to a 6-6 draw on the opening night.
Van Gerwen’s rock-star status in Holland is growing to the extent that 4,000 fans greeted him at the airport on his return from Alexandra Palace with the Sid Waddell Trophy last month.
He has footballers Robin van Persie and Ron Vlaar on speed-dial – and his green top is fast becoming as recognisable among sporting jerseys as Holland’s famous orange.
You have to go back to September 25, when he lost against Phil Taylor in the Champions League of Darts final, for the last time MVG was beaten on stage.
Van Gerwen said: “Obviously I want to win every game, but last week showed I am human.
“I don’t think opponents are intimidated by me now, but when they get on stage and see my green shirt waiting for them, mentally they are one leg behind already. “That helps me, but it Just Eat is a new official partner of the Professional Darts Corporation. Just Eat is the world’s leading marketplace for food delivery. Order online at www.just-eat.co.uk or on the Just Eat app.