What a night of group stage drama at the 2025 BetVictor World Cup of Darts. From nail-biting last-leg deciders to shock exits and fairy-tale debuts, the final round of group matches had it all. We saw fancied favourites crash out, new heroes emerge, and nations sneak through by the narrowest of margins. As the dust settles, the last 16 is set.
SWEDEN 3-4 FRANCE (Sweden win Group G)
It was quite the dramatic start to the evening’s action, with France winning the battle-but Sweden winning the war. In a nervy opener, both teams seemed determined to invent new and bizarre ways to miss doubles. With Lukasiak visibly struggling, it was De Graaf who stepped up and found the big scores-though it still took the Scandinavian outfit 15 darts to pin their first double. Something they’ll want to address before the next round.
The Swedes knew before the match that three legs would be enough-but at 3–1 down, things got twitchy. France had two match darts to seal it but let them slip, handing Sweden a vital lifeline. Oskar then clicked into gear, Jeff kept doing the business, and together they clawed it back-dodging one final bullet in the process-to secure the crucial legs they needed and become the first nation through to the knockout stage.
CZECHIA 4-2 INDIA (Czechia win Group J)
The script for the Czech duo followed the same booklet as the Swedes: win three legs, and it didn’t matter what else happened. In what should have been a far more straightforward scene, Karel and Petr nearly fluffed their lines, allowing India to sneak into a 2–1 lead.
Fortunately for the European pair, they managed to bag the necessary two legs before their Asian opponents did -sparing any blushes. And just for good measure, they grabbed the win as well. There were no cartwheels of celebration from Křivka, but he did appear to lose a tooth in the post-match euphoria. That’s got to be a first. Tonight, he’ll pop it under his pillow and Evil Charlie will swap it for a fiver.
JAPAN 1-4 SWITZERLAND (Switzerland win Group K)
An excellent display from the Swiss pairing saw them sail into the next round. This was arguably the toughest group to call-and so it proved, with the group winners ultimately decided on leg difference.
Japan’s decision not to send Goto in first, despite him being the more dominant of the two this afternoon, was baffling-and may well have cost them a spot in tomorrow’s line-up. We’ll never know. But full credit to Switzerland, who barely put a foot wrong and fully deserve their place in the next round.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2-4 CHINA (Ireland win Group D)
The luck of the Irish certainly came into play as the boys in green sneaked into the last 16 on legs won against throw. Confused? Yep, me too. All three group games ended 4–2, with each nation picking up one win apiece. But with Ireland bagging three legs against the darts-compared to two each for China and Gibraltar-that’s how it was decided.
Willie and Keane didn’t quite hit the heights they managed against Gibraltar, and at the end of the match, no one seemed entirely sure who had actually topped the group. So Mr Barry can stop punching his darts case-he’s going to need it in one piece for tomorrow.
MALAYSIA 4-1 DENMARK (Malaysia win Group F)
Asia will be represented in the knockout stages after Malaysia made it past round one for the first time. OK, so this is only their fourth World Cup appearance-but still, a fine feather in their cap. They arrived in Frankfurt winless, and they’ll leave with at least two historic victories
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If Group D was complicated, this one was refreshingly straightforward. With both teams having beaten the hapless Canadians, it was simply a case of winner takes all. Denmark, led by the pony-tailed Benjamin Reus – seemingly working through his full repertoire of hairstyles – scored well, hitting three of their four maximums, But at the business end of the legs, the Nordic lads faltered and Malaysia just did the better job on the outer ring.
HONG KONG 4-0 BAHRAIN (Hong Kong win Group I)
And the largest continent on the planet is guaranteed at least two representatives in tomorrow’s last 16, as Hong Kong booked their spot with ease-and may well be Asia’s best hope for a deep run. Bahrain’s Morgan Freeman lookalike, Sadeq Mohamed, and his compatriot Hasan Bucheeri are clearly better players than they showed at this event-but nerves obviously played a part as they struggled on the big stage.
The group was effectively decided within five minutes, with Hong Kong racing to the two-leg mark they needed. And to be honest, it never looked in doubt. Bahrain not only had to win-but win big. Sadly for them, they return home still searching for that elusive first World Cup victory.
POLAND 2-4 NORWAY (South Africa win Group E)
Double trouble for the strong Poles saw them crash out, as South Africa unexpectedly topped the pile. Everything about this match screamed a Polska win-but untypically for their duo, they struggled to see out the legs, despite having more attempts at the outer ring than their opponents.
So, without having to do much beyond sitting back, waving a Norwegian flag, and waiting anxiously, Devon and Cameron nicked the group and will live to fight another day. South Africa might not be the best team in the tournament-but when it comes to national passion, they’re hard to beat.
BELGIUM 3-4 PHILIPPINES (Philippines win Group B)
The first massive shock of this year’s World Cup saw the decorated and hotly tipped Belgian duo crash out of the tournament at the opening hurdle for the very first time. Cruising at 3–0 and looking a sure bet for the knockout draw, the highly fancied Flemish flingers somehow let their strong advantage slip, allowing the plucky Filipino duo to claw it back to parity.
In a straight shoot-out for a place in the last 16, it came down to a last-leg decider-one Belgium really should have won. But after crucial match darts came and went, the Asians pinned double three for a sensational win and a huge upset.
NETHERLANDS 4-0 HUNGARY (Netherlands win Group A)
It was a stroll in the park for the Dutch pairing as they glided effortlessly into the next phase. Needing only a single leg to guarantee qualification, they did it in less time than it takes to boil an egg. Once passage was sealed, Danny and Gian didn’t need to find any extra gears as they comfortably saw off a Hungarian duo who offered little resistance.
It wasn’t the dynamic, pulsating display we saw yesterday-but it didn’t need to be, and they’ve ensured there’s plenty left in the tank for whoever they face tomorrow. Make no mistake: this is a team most nations will want to avoid. And as I’m writing this before Duzza does the draw-it’ll be interesting to read it back later after we know who they will meet next.
GERMANY 4-0 SINGAPORE (Germany win Group C)
Much to the delight of the majority of the 4,000 fans inside the Eissporthalle, the hosts are safely through to round two after a destructive performance, averaging just shy of 95 to comfortably navigate the group.
This time, there were no heroics from 71-year-old Singapore legend Paul Lim, who bows out this year with his typical distinction. Perhaps it’s time they started scouting nursing homes for Singapore’s next big star-surely there’s another diamond out there just waiting to shine.
AUSTRIA 1-4 AUSTRALIA (Australia win Group H)
The former champs, Australia, won their shoot-out clash with last year’s runners-up, Austria, to stay on course for a second crown with another fantastic display. It was a solid showing from the European outfit, led by World Cup stalwart Mensur Suljović, but they’ll be left cursing their finishing.
But it was the other seasoned campaigner on the oche who really delivered. Together with the always impressive Damon Heta, Simon Whitlock helped storm the Aussies into the last 16. It could have been a different story-both nations had six shots at doubles-but the scoreline tells you how that worked out. That proved the pivotal difference and the boys from Down Under remain as ones to watch.
NEW ZEALAND 3-4 ARGENTINA (Argentina win Group L)
It’s a dream debut for the Latin Americans, who have been one of the stories of the tournament. Relative unknowns before the action in Frankfurt began, they’ve certainly made their mark. For Jesús Salate and Víctor Guillín, they’ve carved their names into national darting history-and they’re not done yet.
It was a contest worthy of bringing the group stage curtain down-a shoot-out that went the full distance. After Mark Cleaver agonisingly missed two match darts that would have sent the Kiwis through, Argentina made no mistake and took full advantage, claiming the final spot in the knockout draw.
So, with the group stage curtain drawn, the knockout line-up is complete. Asia celebrates multiple representatives, the Dutch and Aussies look as dangerous as ever, and Argentina’s dream debut rolls on. Spare a thought for Belgium and Poland, who will be wondering how it all slipped away. Next stop: the business end of the tournament-where the margins get finer, the pressure cranks up, and the quest for World Cup glory truly begins.
It’s now over to former Premier League star and three-time Lakeside World Champion Glen Durrant to pick out the numbers and reveal who will face who tomorrow.
SECOND ROUND DRAW
England (1) v Germany
Argentina v Australia
Northern Ireland (4) v South Africa
Switzerland v Republic of Ireland
Wales (2) v Philippines
Hong Kong v Sweden
Scotland (3) v Netherlands
Malaysia v Czechia
—–ENDS—–
Images: Jenny Segers/PDC Europe
