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Van Barneveld Dumped Out by History-Maker
Van Barneveld won only two legs as Bellmont, the first Swiss winner at the Championship, dominated and raised questions about the Dutch legend’s future in darts.
- On Wednesday, Raymond van Barneveld, the five-time world champion, was beaten in a straight-sets whitewash by Stefan Bellmont at Alexandra Palace, managing just two legs.
- Van Barneveld said he hits a 140 and a 180 routinely in practice but misses doubles in matches, while his age 58, retirement announced five years ago, and first-round exit 12 months ago raise doubts.
- After losing the opening leg, Stefan Bellmont won the next EIGHT legs to complete a whitewash and became the first Swiss winner at the World Darts Championship, inspiring the Swiss darts community in Cham, Switzerland.
- The defeat has cast doubt on Van Barneveld's long-term place in the sport as he said he has 'homework to do', is unsure what comes next and admitted the loss 'hurts'.
- Looking ahead, Glen Durrant told Sky recovery will be tough and Bellmont, 36 from Cham, faces Damon Heta next, hoping to inspire Swiss darts.
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Ally Pally 2026: Barney Bowing Out?
Globally recognised as the founding father of Dutch darts, Raymond van Barneveld’s place in the pantheon is as immovable as granite. His legend stands shoulder to shoulder with the greatest names ever to grip a tungsten arrow – save, perhaps, for darts colossuses by the name of Philip Douglas Taylor, Eric Bristow and MVG. To an entire nation, Barney is not merely a champion. He is a catalyst. A gateway. The reason thousands of Dutch players firs…
It seems the time has come for him to retire. Raymond van Barneweld, the five-time world champion darts player, was eliminated in the first round of the ongoing World Championship. The Dutchman did not even win a set.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 25%
R 25%
Factuality
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