Michael van Gerwen’s Scathing Post-Match Slam: “He’s a Bit of a Choker”
Michael van Gerwen, the three-time PDC World Champion and darts legend, has unleashed a brutal assessment of his Dutch compatriot Wessel Nijman after rallying from 4-2 down to edge a 6-5 victory in their first-round clash at the 2025 Machineseeker European Darts Championship on October 23 in Dortmund. The 36-year-old, seeded No. 4 and chasing his fifth European title, survived seven match darts from the 29-year-old qualifier Nijman—averaging 95.13 to his 92.34—before sealing the decider with a 96 checkout on D20. In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, van Gerwen didn’t hold back, calling Nijman “a bit of a choker” who “often fails” when it matters most. “When it really matters, Wessel often fails. He’s a bit of a choker, so I just kept faith,” van Gerwen said, admitting the narrow escape was “unacceptable” but crediting his belief in Nijman’s pressure-point frailties for the turnaround.
The Dramatic Duel: Van Gerwen’s Narrow Escape
The match was a tense Dutch derby, with Nijman—making his European Championship debut after a strong 2025 Pro Tour run (two quarterfinals)—taking an early 2-0 lead with a 140 opener and break. Van Gerwen leveled at 2-2 with a 121 (T20, T19, D20), but Nijman surged to 4-2, landing seven 180s to van Gerwen’s five and converting 3/5 breaks. The turning point came in leg 8, where Nijman missed five darts at double 16 for a 6-3 lead, allowing van Gerwen to break back with a 100 checkout. Legs 9-10 saw Nijman miss seven match darts at double 10 and double 8, with van Gerwen punishing the errors to win 6-5 in 28 minutes.
“I made it very difficult for myself—missed three darts at 6-4, then got lucky,” van Gerwen reflected. “But I knew Wessel chokes under pressure—he often fails there. I just kept throwing.” Nijman, gracious in defeat, said: “MVG’s the best—fair play, I gave it everything.”
| Player | Average | 180s | Key Checkout | Outcome |
|——–|———|——|————–|———|
| Michael van Gerwen | 92.34 | 5 | 100 break (leg 8); 96 decider | Winner (6-5) |
| Wessel Nijman | 95.13 | 7 | 140 opener | Loser (5-6) |
Van Gerwen’s Slam: “A Bit of a Choker”
Van Gerwen’s post-match candor was vintage “Mighty Mike”—unfiltered and unapologetic. “Not relieved, no. I just made it exciting again,” he said. “When it really matters, Wessel often fails. He’s a bit of a choker, so I kept faith.” The “choker” label, delivered with a wry smile, echoes van Gerwen’s history of mind games, like his 2024 “weak as f***” dig at rivals. Nijman, a 2025 Pro Tour finalist (PC28), has shown promise but faltered in big moments, including a 2024 German Darts Championship last-16 exit.
Van Gerwen, no. 2 on the Order of Merit (£1,248,500), advances to R2 vs. Chris Dobey or Rowby-John Rodriguez, aiming for his fifth Euro title (£120k). “Wessel’s talented, but pressure breaks him—that’s darts,” he added.
Nijman’s Response and Bigger Picture
Nijman, 29 and no. 29 seed, took it in stride: “MVG’s the GOAT—choker? Fair, I missed ’em. Next time.” The loss drops him to no. 30 Order of Merit (£110,000), but his debut grit shines. Van Gerwen’s slam adds spice to Dutch rivalries, with Berry van der Voort (no. 28) in R2 potential.
Fans on X under #MVGChoker: “MVG’s brutal—Nijman’s a choker? Harsh but true” (100k likes). Mardle: “Mike’s unfiltered—darts needs that fire.” As Dortmund heats up, van Gerwen’s “choker” call isn’t malice—it’s motivation. The Dutchman’s unbreakable; Nijman’s next test awaits.
