Dutch Darts Frenzy

The packed stadium shudders as thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans bounce around, chanting the name of their favorite player. But they're not watching Ajax or the Netherlands football team. This is darts.

Sometimes derided as a game played over a pint in British pubs, darts is a huge deal in the Netherlands.

The latest Dutch hero is Michael van Gerwen (MvG) and more than 12,000 fans sold out the Rotterdam Ahoy arena to see him compete in the Premier League, which pits the world's top eight players against each other.

Why are darts so popular in the Netherlands? Three words: Raymond van Barneveld.

A former postman from The Hague, Van Barneveld, now 57, has a decent claim to be the best player ever to throw a dart.

In 1998, "Barney" was the first Dutchman to win a world championship, the first of five in a career that included his 7-6 win over Phil "The Power" Taylor in the 2007 final many consider the best match of all time.

That 1998 win at the iconic Lakeside venue catapulted darts into the Dutch consciousness and broke the monopoly of British champions, paving the way for it to be the more global sport it is today.

"It was unbelievable," he said in his office, a treasure trove of darts memorabilia, with trophies and championship photos lining every wall -- except the one with his three practice boards.

"The television viewing figures were insane. Some people told me it has over five million viewers. Back then we had only 15 million people in Holland," he added.

"I got a tulip named after me. When I came through Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, it was like the Beatles were arriving at Schiphol. I was shocked."

After a brief retirement, Van Barneveld is fighting his way back up the rankings.

The "Barney Army" that supported him around the world was still in evidence in Rotterdam, periodically chanting his name even though he's now far from the top eight.

The Dutch Darts Association has 33,000 official members but this is a fraction of the recreational players.