Rivalries renew: Taylor and van Barneveld set for virtual darts exhibition match

RAYMOND van Barneveld is undoubtedly a darts legend. He helped popularise the game in his native Netherlands paving the way for fellow World Champion Michael van Gerwen before retiring in 2018. Barney has not quite put his darts away just yet however.

Since January 2020, van Barneveld has performed at various exhibitions and darts events. Eligible to compete in both the European Tour with Netherlands as hosts, and World Cup qualifiers, those relentles hours of consistent practice are not quite a thing of the past.

Now, with the Coronavirus outbreak restricting sport and limiting activity across the globe, van Barneveld is set to renew rivalries with arch nemesis and record world champion Phil Taylor in an online virtual darts match for charity.

Game On @PhilTaylor https://t.co/Bd4e7fveV5

— Raymond v Barneveld (@Raybar180) March 18, 2020

The two veterans thrilled darts fans for almost 30 years, producing out some legendary battles on the PDC stage. Now both want to compete against each other online from their own homes, modern technology permitting nostalgia for darts fans at this troubling time.

The pair will each use an electronic soft tip board, called the Nexus, which includes a built-in webcam and microphone, allowing the players to view their opponent's throws. They can also talk to each other, something Taylor, no stranger to a bit of needling, will particularly enjoy.

Van Barneveld and Taylor will play against each other via an electronic soft tip board called the Nexus. The darts supplier Target’s board features a built-in webcam and microphone, allowing players to see each other and talk to each other between throws.

At the end of their professional careers, Taylor had the edge by some distance – 61 wins to van Barnveld's 18, with four Premier League draws completing the set. However, Barney's fifth World Championship title win in 2007 – his first in the PDC – was arguably the golden moment as he beat Taylor 7-6 in the final in a match regarded by many as the best in darts history.

The match will take place on Thursday April 9, starting at 7pm, with Sponsors Target Darts intending to stream the match live on Facebook.