Darts sensation in Frankfurt: Germany defeats England at the World Cup

The German darts duo of Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko surprisingly eliminated top English favorites Luke Littler and Luke Humphries at the Team World Championship in Frankfurt. "The Wall" and "Pikachu" comfortably defeated the dream duo of the two world number one players 8-4 in the round of 16 and can continue to dream of the title at the "World Cup of Darts."

Schindler and Pietreczko, who had advanced to the last 16 as group winners, were enthusiastically cheered on by the home crowd and immediately took a 2-0 lead. The Germans played themselves into a frenzy against the world champions – Littler is the reigning champion, Humphries triumphed in 2024 – and led 7-2. The English defending champion then won two more legs. But then Pietreczko converted the first dart of the match.

The German duo will face the winner of the Argentina vs. Australia duel in the quarterfinals at the Eissporthalle Frankfurt on Sunday.

Schindler, ranked 18th in the world, is the highest-ranked German ever, competing for the seventh time. For Pietreczko (world number 28), this is his first appearance at the Team World Championship. Germany's best placings at the World Cup of Darts are their semifinal appearances in 2020 and 2023. Last year, Schindler and Gabriel Clemens were eliminated in the round of 16.

RND/SID