The former Professional Darts Corporation star and highly respected analyst has questioned whether Belgium\u2019s chosen pairing of Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh possesses the requisite cohesion and competitive efficacy to navigate a potentially treacherous Group B assignment in Frankfurt.<\/p>\n
Seeded sixth for this year\u2019s tournament, Belgium have been drawn alongside Hong Kong and Slovenia. Nevertheless, Nicholson remains unconvinced that the two-time semi-finalists possess sufficient collective momentum to progress beyond the opening phase of the competition.<\/p>\n
His apprehension stems not merely from recent performances but from what he perceives to be a broader incongruity surrounding the composition of the Belgian side.<\/p>\n
De Decker, despite his considerable pedigree and undoubted natural aptitude, has endured a distinctly underwhelming campaign. The reigning World Grand Prix champion has been unable to establish any semblance of sustained consistency on the European Tour circuit, succumbing in the second round on eight successive occasions. Moreover, his ProTour exploits have yielded only a solitary quarter-final appearance throughout the season, a statistic which scarcely reflects the calibre of player many believe him capable of becoming.<\/p>\n
Van den Bergh\u2019s trajectory has been similarly disquieting. The two-time major champion, once regarded as one of the most mercurial and exuberant talents in world darts, has struggled to rediscover the scintillating form which propelled him to major glory. Significantly, he has not emerged victorious in a televised ranking major encounter since last year\u2019s UK Open, an absence of elite-level success which has inevitably prompted scrutiny and speculation.<\/p>\n
Consequently, Nicholson believes both men arrive in Germany with a substantial burden of expectation resting upon their shoulders.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the Love the Darts Podcast, the Australian delivered a comprehensive appraisal of De Decker\u2019s predicament whilst simultaneously reaffirming his faith in the Belgian\u2019s long-term capabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Mike De Decker has still got an awful lot to offer this sport and it might have to be a little bit further down the track.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m one of Mike\u2019s biggest fans. I think he\u2019s got incredible technique.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s really solid in mind. I just don\u2019t think his game is cohesive at the minute, both psychologically and maybe with his equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems like ever since he moved to a new manufacturer, it just hasn\u2019t been quite there for whatever reason.<\/p>\n
Whilst acknowledging De Decker\u2019s latent potential, Nicholson identified what he considers to be the most compelling narrative surrounding Belgium over the last six months \u2013 namely the conspicuous absence of the individual he regards as the nation\u2019s premier performer.<\/p>\n
![\"Kim](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/be\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ET3-Evening-Niko-Springer-V-Kim-Huybrechts-38-1024x682.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
In Nicholson\u2019s estimation, veteran campaigner Kim Huybrechts remains Belgium\u2019s outstanding exponent, possessing an amalgamation of experience, form and competitive fortitude that renders his omission particularly striking.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think the dynamic and the story over the last six months has been the best player in Belgium is not in the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s Kim Huybrechts. He\u2019s got the experience, he\u2019s got the form, and you know he\u2019s got the firepower and he doesn\u2019t mind going toe to toe with people.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that from personal experience, but he\u2019s not ranked high enough to get in the team.<\/p>\n
Despite his admiration for Huybrechts, Nicholson emphasised that the responsibility now rests squarely with Belgium\u2019s selected representatives to vindicate their superior ranking positions and demonstrate why they have been entrusted with the nation\u2019s aspirations.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, it\u2019s the responsibility of the Belgians to go up and say, this is why we\u2019re ranked higher than that guy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can put the shirt on and we can put something together, not just to reignite them individually, but they could work so well together in this tournament, that they could actually change their careers after this.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey could do incredible things, but they\u2019re going to have to do something that I believe that they won\u2019t, and that\u2019s top this group.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, however, Nicholson\u2019s prognosis remained decidedly pessimistic.<\/p>\n