Dark Horses Poland Overpower Portugal

Poland were among several lower ranked nations to assert their credentials at the BetVictor World Cup of Darts, as Sweden also tasted victory in Frankfurt on Thursday Evening.

The group stage of the 40-nation event saw the opening 12 matches take place at the Eissporthalle, with Republic of Ireland, Austria and Poland among the other high-profile winners.

Poland’s highly-fancied pairing of Krzysztof Ratajski and Sebastian Bialecki impressed in many informed watchers, powering past Portugal 4-1 to underline their status as a major contender for the title.

The pairing seem to be begining to gel as the younger Bialecki, who has stepped up strongly over the past year, dovetails with the experienced Ratajski has also rediscovered his better form after a period of illness. Their opener will certainly not deter those whonharbour thoughts of Poland going all the way this time.

Elsewhere, two-time quarter-finalists Sweden overcame South Africa 4-2 in an attritional Group F clash.

The Swedish pairing of de Graaf and Oskar Lukasiak (above) completed the victory, despite averaging over five points less than the South Africans in the Group F opener.

Meanwhile Norway edged past Finland, in a gruelling seven-leg all Scandinavian affair to seize the initiative in Group L.

The losing nations from Thursday’s opening games will play the third team from each group on Friday afternoon, before the decisive final group games are contested in a bumper evening session.

Following the conclusion of the group stage, the draw for the last 16 will take place on Friday evening, as the top four seeds England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland enter the fray in round two on Saturday.