Belmonte is first Swiss to compete in Darts World Cup: 'It's going very well'

interview

In a month's time, Stefan Belmonte will become the first Swiss player to compete in the World Cup of Darts at Alexandra Palace. He beat 91 contestants in qualifying to earn his ticket on Saturday.

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Just less than two months ago, Stefan Belmont missed an important goal. The 35-year-old did not join them at the PDC Championship in Basel, the first gathering of the world's best darts players in Switzerland, but the 35-year-old failed in the national elimination round.

But now he has greater success. Belmont won Saturday's Western European qualifiers in Carkar, Germany, northwest of Dusseldorf and on the border with the Netherlands. He will become the first Swiss to compete for the World Cup title in London's legendary “Ally Pally” competition. The competition will be held from December 15 to January 3, 2025.

Belmonte is considered the best Swiss player.Picture: www.imago-images.de

It's 2:30pm the day after your success. How long have you been awake?
Stefan Belmont: This is a bit out of character. After the finals, there weren’t many people there and we quickly got in the car and were ready to go home. We had a leisurely meal on the way and then spent the night. My mother was with me, as were Marcel Walpen and his wife, and of course we drank to the success. I put my phone aside, seeking silence.

After the World Cup qualifiers, your phone must have been vibrating hard.
There is already a lot of news above. I started writing in the evening but failed to thank everyone for their congratulations. It's Sunday, which suits me, so I can slow down and life can go on again tomorrow.

How do you feel before the game? Do you feel like there's something inside?
I prepare like I prepare for any other game. But deep down I believed that I could reach the semifinals last year. I believe in myself and what I can do. It's going to be like this all day long…I never dreamed it would be like this. The effect is really great.

The World Cup of Darts is also a huge party.Picture: www.imago-images.de

You have to win seven games. How did the game go?
I met a famous opponent in the first round, the young Dutchman Moreno Blom. Everything went smoothly, especially at checkout where I was 5:1 ahead. This gives me a sense of security. He tied the score at 5:5, but then I won the tiebreaker. This win gives me a good feeling and confirms my form. My average score for the whole game was over 90 points. I was able to perform consistently and maybe even a little above my usual level. But that's exactly what's needed in this situation.

The final against Jimmy Vanhee is not for the faint of heart. You came from 2:5 down and won 7:6 with 124. How do you endure such a roller coaster ride?
I knew if I played like I did all day, I was going to get a chance. Jimmy really got it all right at the beginning, really high. Looking back, I realize this was not for the faint of heart. However, during the game I managed to switch off, never lose focus and just do my thing.

Now the dream is about to come true, and in a month you will be on the big stage of the World Cup “Ally Pally”. How many times have you closed your eyes and seen yourself there?
In 2014, my parents organized a trip to the World Cup. We watched two semifinals, and I wasn't just joking: “Next time I'm at 'Ally Pally,' I don't want to be in the audience, I want to be on stage.” A full decade later, this The dream is now coming true.

What are your expectations for the World Cup in London, both in terms of sport and experience?
Something has to sink in first. I guess I haven’t really realized that yet, even though the response has been really good. I look at the Teletext app on my phone probably 15 times a day and I'm proud of the fact that I've now managed to receive my page.

Did you take a screenshot?
Yes of course! (laugh)

You opened your own darts bar in Cham two months ago and plan to double your daily training hours. Is this the first time such success has been achieved?
I can definitely do more training. The restaurant has been open for two and a half months, and things still need to go on. But I've managed to double my training time.

Even if you've been here before, suddenly playing in this lobby can be nerve-wracking. Would you prepare differently for the World Cup?
I've done a few stage games, but the World Cup is something else. I have been doing psychological training for three or four years, and it is effective. For the World Cup, I will definitely redouble my efforts in this regard again. It’s also important to me that my environment is the right one. I feel good when that happens, which is certainly one of the reasons why I'm doing well now and can play freely.

Which song would you run to? I heard it might be “W.Nuss vo Bümpliz”. Would you be disloyal to Gotthard's “Lift U Up”?
No, absolutely not. I can already tell this is going to be “Lift U Up” because I don't want to change anything in my daily life. This song is mine and I can draw a lot of strength from this routine. It should stay that way.

Next week's draw

The last of the 96 World Cup participants will be determined a week later on Monday, after which a draw will take place. “I can imagine that when I read my name in black and white, I will realize again that I have succeeded,” said Stefan Belmonte.

As a World Cup participant, the Zug native has already received 8,400 francs in prize money. If he reaches the second round, the prize will be just under 17,000 francs. At this event, the world champion will receive a winner's check worth 560,000 francs.