Hosts Germany delighted their vociferous supporters with superb performance, to underline their title credentials at the BetVictor World Cup of Darts, in Frankfurt on Thursday.
The group stage of the 40-nation event saw the opening 12 matches take place at the Eissporthalle, with Wales, Republic of Ireland, Austria and Poland among the other high-profile winners.
However, Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko stole the show on home soil, averaging 101.9 in a four-leg demolition of the Philippines.
German number one Schindler led their charge with a staggering 120.69 individual average, and the fifth seeds will now advance through Group A with victory over New Zealand on Friday evening.
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.
2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts
Group Stage
Thursday June 11
Seeded Nation v Team 2
Czechia 4-0 India (H)
Japan 4-3 Croatia (K)
Norway 4-3 Finland (L)
Republic of Ireland 4-1 Singapore (D)
Poland 4-1 Portugal (E)
Sweden 4-2 South Africa (F)
Latvia 4-2 Italy (J)
Hong Kong 4-2 Belgium (B)
Germany 4-0 Philippines (A)
Wales 4-1 Lithuania (C)
Austria 4-1 China (I)
USA 4-3 Australia (G)
Friday June 12
Afternoon Session (1200 local time, 1100 BST)
Thursday’s losing nation v Team 3
India v Denmark (H)
Croatia v Spain (K)
Finland v Hungary (L)
Singapore v Gibraltar (D)
Portugal v Switzerland (E)
South Africa v Mongolia (F)
Italy v Trinidad & Tobago (J)
Belgium v Slovenia (B)
Philippines v New Zealand (A)
Lithuania v Thailand (C)
China v France (I)
Australia v Canada (G)
Evening Session (1900 local time, 1800 BST)
Thursday’s winning nation v Team 3
Czechia v Denmark (H)
Japan v Spain (K)
Norway v Hungary (L)
Republic of Ireland v Gibraltar (D)
Poland v Switzerland (E)
Sweden v Mongolia (F)
Latvia v Trinidad & Tobago (J)
Hong Kong v Slovenia (B)
Germany v New Zealand (A)
Wales v Thailand (C)
Austria v France (I)
USA v Canada (G)Best of seven legs
—–ENDS—–
Images: Sebastian Doppstadt & Jenny Segers/PDC
