Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko produced an inspired display to topple England’s dream team of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler on a famous day of second round action at the BetVictor World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt.
Schindler and Pietreczko – roared on by a raucous German crowd – stormed to a sensational 8-4 victory over the world’s top two players to continue their bid for World Cup glory at the Eissporthalle.
Humphries and Littler were the overwhelming 4/11 pre-tournament favourites with title sponsor BetVictor, but their highly-anticipated debut as a partnership culminated in a shock early exit.
There was nothing to separate the teams after four legs, but a terrific five-leg burst from the German duo catapulted them to the brink of victory at 7-2, with World Cup debutant Pietreczko taking centre stage.
The 30-year-old landed nerveless 106 and 101 finishes during this spell, before fending off a late rally from Humphries and Littler to seal the deal with a clinical 62 combination.
Germany will now play 2022 champions Australia for a place in the semi-finals, and Schindler was buoyant after progressing to a third World Cup quarter-final in four years.
“We believed in ourselves, and that was the key,” declared Schindler.
“The double 16s from Ricardo when it mattered just went in, so we’re really happy.
“This is a big win for us. German darts is in good shape right now, and we’re pushing forward as much as we can.”
Despite Germany’s heroics, the performance of the night was produced by Netherlands, as Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen whitewashed Scottish icons Gary Anderson and Peter Wright 8-0.
The Dutch duo won eight legs without reply to breeze through the round-robin phase, and they extended their astonishing winning run to 16 legs in sweeping aside Scotland.
Scotland’s solitary attempts at double came in the eighth and final leg of the contest, with the Netherlands averaging 100.2 to confirm their place at Finals Day.
“We both felt great in practice today and we played a phenomenal game tonight,” claimed Van Veen, who is enjoying a dream World Cup debut.
“I said to Danny earlier: ‘We’re yet to drop a leg, let’s keep it that way’, but of course that was a joke!
“Before tonight I had never beaten Peter or Gary. They are two legends of the game, so to do the double and beat them both is amazing!”
Saturday’s second round action also saw Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton began their pursuit of a third World Cup crown with an 8-2 win over the Philippines, who had dumped out Belgium in the round-robin phase.
Following a sequence of three consecutive breaks to kick off proceedings, Wales soon took control, winning seven of the last eight legs to advance with an impressive 96.43 average.
“It’s a great start. We did a job tonight, and that’s all that counts,” insisted Welsh number one Clayton.
“When you get to this stage of the tournament, every game is tough, but we’re confident in our game.
“We’re here to win this cup and we always play well together, so look out!”
Wales will now play Hong Kong, after Man Lok Leung and Lok Yin Lee produced a devastating display of doubling to defeat 2024 quarter-finalists Sweden.
Leung was the star of the show, averaging 101.91, pinning all six of his attempts at double and converting 81, 101 and 135 finishes to steer his side to a landmark 8-4 victory.
“I’m very happy that my partner trusted me,” reflected Leung, fresh from powering Hong Kong into their second World Cup quarter-final.
“I would like to thank everyone in Hong Kong and the Asian fans who watched us and supported us, and we will keep trying our best.”
Fourth seeds Northern Ireland kicked off their campaign with an 8-2 win against South Africa, as their new-look pairing of Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney prevailed in a fiery affair.
There was no shortage of intensity up on stage, with Rock and Gurney reeling off four straight legs to set up an enthralling clash against 2019 runners-up Republic of Ireland.
William O’Connor and Keane Barry eased through to the last eight with a resounding 8-3 success over Switzerland, capitalising on their group stage reprieve to progress in Frankfurt.
Australia also ran out emphatic winners in their last 16 tussle with debutants Argentina, as Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock completed an 8-1 rout of Jesus Salate and Victor Guillin, who acquitted themselves with aplomb on their big stage bow.
Elsewhere, Karel Sedlacek and Petr Krivka broke new ground with an 8-3 thumping of Malaysia in Saturday’s curtain-raiser, as Czechia reached the quarter-finals for the first time in World Cup history.
Following the completion of Saturday's second round, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place during a bumper double session on Sunday, as the remaining eight nations compete for the prestigious title at the Eissporthalle.
The BetVictor World Cup of Darts is being broadcast on Sky Sports for viewers in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's international broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
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2025 BetVictor World Cup of Darts
Saturday June 14
Afternoon Session
Second Round x4
Czechia 8-3 Malaysia
Hong Kong 8-4 Sweden
Republic of Ireland 8-3 Switzerland
Northern Ireland 8-2 South Africa
Evening Session
Second Round x4
Wales 8-2 Philippines
Netherlands 8-0 Scotland
Germany 8-4 England
Australia 8-1 Argentina
Sunday June 15
Afternoon Session (1300 local time)
Quarter-Finals
Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland
Germany v Australia
Wales v Hong Kong
Netherlands v Czechia
All matches best of 15 legs
Evening Session (1900 local time)
Semi-Finals
Germany/Australia v Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland
Wales/Hong Kong v Netherlands/Czechia
All matches best of 15 legs
Final
v
Best of 19 legs