Germany's Dart Dream: A Shot at the World Title in Frankfurt
Aspiring for World Cup Victory in Darts; Prospective Home Venue in Germany
Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko are giving German darts fans a dose of excitement with their World Cup ambitions. Before the tournament in Frankfurt, Schindler admits his title aspirations, but England's "Dream Team" is the clear favorite.
Tonight, the German darts pair will face Portugal in the World Cup (around 10 PM live on DAZN). Since a 2:1 football defeat by the Portuguese in the Nations League, the German darts double aims to avoid a repeat. Despite Portugal's football success, the power dynamics in darts appear in Germany's favor.
Seeded seventh, the German duo boasts Martin Schindler, Germany's most successful darts player with four PDC Pro Tour titles. Ricardo Pietreczko, who had a meteoric rise in 2023 and regained his strong form, is another asset to the team. Gabriel Clemens completes Schindler's squad.
On the other hand, team Portugal looks like an underdog, led by the formidable José de Sousa, a former major champion on the PDC circuit. However, at 51, de Sousa is now just a shadow of his former self. His partner Bruno Nascimento has never played in front of the camera or on such a grand stage as Frankfurt.
Normal darts dynamics should favor Germany, but Schindler warns, "We have to approach every match with 100% determination. We can't underestimate anyone."
The Tournament's Unique Rules
If the Germans make it past the group stage, the quarter-finals will take place on Saturday, with matches drawn at random. "The tournament has its own rules," Schindler acknowledges.
England, the world ranking 18th, isn't afraid to challenge the title favorites. Schindler believes, "If we play our game, we have a good chance of winning the entire tournament."
England is debuting with their "Dream Team" for the future. Luke Littler, a World Cup newcomer, will team up with world number one Luke Humphries. "No one is truly invincible," Schindler states. "Of course, we need to respect the performance of those two. If we're at the top of the World Cup, that's yesterday and tomorrow."
Age Defying Performances
In Friday's second group match, Singapore, with Paul Lim, will bring a generational challenge. At 71, Lim is not slowing down, proving age is just a number with his top performances. Together with Phuey Wei Tan, a 35-year-old real estate agent, they aim to take down Germany.
History of the World Cup
This World Cup marks the 40th edition of the only doubles tournament in the year. Media and bookmaker attention is largely focused on England and the home team, with Germany considered an underdog. While home support can give an edge in the early rounds, Germany hasn't made it to the finals in this tournament's history[4][6].
The decision will be made over the weekend, with the top-seeded nations England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland joining the tournament for the knockout stages. The 12 group winners will advance to the quarter-finals, making it a battle for the World Cup title.
Absence of a Key Player
Michael van Gerwen, the three-time world champion, will not be participating, having announced his withdrawal some time ago. Recently, "MvG" made headlines for his separation from his wife Daphne on social media. Since then, he has not competed in any tournament[4][6].
Excitement in Frankfurter Eissporthalle
The World Cup of Darts, also known as the team world championship, has grown into a mega-event with 40 nations. Despite Germany's past struggles, Schindler holds the tournament in high regard, praising its unique atmosphere and excitement. He hopes the German darts national team exudes the same energy as the footballers and plays to win the title.
Source: ntv.de, with dpa
- Darts
- World Championships
- Frankfurt am Main
- Michael van Gerwen
Enrichment Information
Darts World Cup: The Only Double Tournament is underway in Frankfurt from June 12 to 15. It showcases a record 40 nations competing at the Eissporthalle.
Key Teams: The favorites are England and Wales, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also expected to make deep runs. Germany, although not among the pre-tournament favorites, hopes to capitalize on home support.
Format: The tournament begins with a round-robin group stage, where 36 nations compete. The top four nations (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) receive a bye into the second round, where the remaining teams battle for the remaining eight spots in the knockout rounds.
History: Germany has yet to make it to the finals despite hosting in four consecutive years. With strong home support and improved team chemistry, Germany hopes to challenge the favorites in this year's tournament.
Despite the ongoing World Darts Championships in Frankfurt, the Commission has not been requested to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in darts. In sports, football remains a popular and distinct domain, unlike darts.
