In a dramatically poor showing for the usually strong Dutch darts players, a further six out of 16 were eliminated over the weekend at the World Darts Championship in London’s iconic Alexandra Palace.

Those who fell included five-time world champion Raymond van Barneveld, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Danny Noppert and Wessel Nijman. That leaves just four Dutch players, including youth world champion Gian van Veen, who plays against German Ricardo Pietreczko on Monday evening, and three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.

Both Van Barneveld and Van Duijvenbode, part of the Toto Dart Kings of top Dutch players, were said to have flu. They were seen together at the London flat rented especially for the World Championship players by Toto.

“I have been suffering for three days, but I didn’t want to say that on television. Then people think: ‘It’s an excuse again’,” Van Barneveld told AD after his surprise Saturday loss to Welshman Nick Kenny. “I’m deeply ashamed of this achievement.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom for the Dutch players.

Jermaine Wattimena performed well, and Kevin Doets defeated former world champion Michael Smith in a thriller. They’ll join Van Gerwen in the last 32 when the finals take place from December 27-30 following a Christmas break.