The 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt delivered a seismic upset that sent shockwaves through the darts community, as England’s star-studded duo of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries crashed out in the second round against a relentless German team. The pre-tournament favorites, both recently honored with MBEs, were expected to steamroll their way to the title. Instead, their 8-4 defeat to Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko sparked a firestorm of debate, with Welsh darts icon Gerwyn Price delivering a blistering critique of their performance and apparent lack of unity.
Price, who reached the final with partner Jonny Clayton before narrowly falling 10-9 to Northern Ireland, didn’t mince words when assessing England’s downfall. “They were rubbish,” he declared, his tone as sharp as his darts. He went further, pointing to a lack of cohesion between Littler and Humphries, noting, “The only two players that didn’t turn up together, didn’t sit together, didn’t play as a team.” His remarks suggested that their disjointed partnership was as much to blame as their errant throws, igniting speculation about tension behind the scenes.
The atmosphere at Eissporthalle Frankfurt was electric, with 3,500 German fans creating a cauldron of noise that tested the English pair’s resolve. Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy making his World Cup debut, and Humphries, the world No. 1, entered to a chorus of boos, their white kits and “Vindaloo” walk-on failing to quell the hostile crowd. Humphries flashed a defiant smile, but Littler appeared rattled, his focus wavering as Germany surged to a 2-0 lead. Despite a brief rally, missed doubles—particularly from Littler—proved fatal, and the hosts sealed the upset with clinical precision.
Price’s comments cut deeper than mere criticism of their play. He contrasted England’s performance with the “team ethic” displayed by other nations, including his own Welsh squad. “You need to turn up together, you need to be as a team,” he emphasized, praising his synergy with Clayton, which propelled them past formidable opponents like the Netherlands and Philippines en route to the final. The Welsh duo’s heartbreak against Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney only underscored their unity, making England’s lack of it all the more glaring.
For Littler, the defeat was a bitter pill. The reigning world champion, whose meteoric rise has drawn comparisons to darts legends, has struggled in Germany before, notably clashing with Pietreczko at the Belgian Darts Open and facing crowd backlash that prompted a fiery social media response. Humphries, with eight major titles and a 2024 World Cup win alongside Michael Smith, had vowed to shield his younger teammate, but their partnership faltered under pressure. Pundit Wayne Mardle offered context, noting the pairs format’s unique demands and the weight of expectation. “You can’t just think: ‘I’ve been here before, it’s fine,’” he said, reflecting on the duo’s inexperience as a unit.
The loss has prompted soul-searching for both players, who opted out of upcoming Players Championship events in Leicester to regroup. Their rivalry, highlighted by Humphries’ victory over Littler in the Premier League Darts final, had fueled hopes of a dominant World Cup showing. Yet, their first-time pairing exposed cracks, with Price’s observations amplifying questions about their chemistry. Littler’s youth and Humphries’ leadership will be tested as they prepare for the Betfred World Matchplay, where both aim to rebound.
Price’s outspoken verdict has set the darts world abuzz, reframing England’s exit as a tale of missed opportunities and fractured teamwork. As the sport looks ahead, the focus remains on whether Littler and Humphries can mend their partnership—or if their individual brilliance will continue to outshine their collective efforts. For now, Price’s words linger, a stark reminder that in darts, as in life, unity can make or break a champion’s quest.
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