The World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt was meant to be a crowning moment for England’s Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, the world’s top two players and newly minted MBEs, as they aimed to secure a record-extending sixth title for their nation. Instead, the tournament delivered a seismic shock when the pre-tournament favorites were dismantled 8-4 by Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in the second round. The defeat sparked a torrent of criticism, with darts legend Dennis Priestley and rival Gerwyn Price questioning the duo’s team ethic and even their worthiness for royal honors. Unfazed, Humphries has hit back, defending his partnership with Littler and dismissing the naysayers with a defiant message: “Because we lost, everyone’s saying we didn’t look like a team.”
The Eissporthalle in Frankfurt was a cauldron of hostility as Humphries and Littler took the stage to a chorus of boos, greeted by a partisan German crowd chanting behind Schindler and Pietreczko. The English pair, who had received a bye to the last 16 due to their top seeding, struggled from the outset. Littler, the 18-year-old prodigy, started nervously, missing three darts at doubles in the fifth leg, while Humphries faltered on a 122 checkout, allowing Germany to surge to a 5-2 lead at the break. Despite a brief rally, with Littler’s 123 and 64 checkouts leveling the score at 2-2, the Germans’ relentless precision—highlighted by Pietreczko’s 106 and 101 finishes—sealed an emphatic victory. England’s combined average of just 93.34 and a dismal 36.36% checkout rate underscored a rare off-day for the star duo.
The fallout was swift and brutal. Priestley, a two-time world champion, didn’t mince words, claiming Humphries and Littler “let their country down” and hadn’t earned their MBEs, citing reports that they didn’t practice or sit together. “When I was playing in pairs with Phil Taylor, we practiced together, sat together,” he said, emphasizing the importance of unity. Price, who reached the final with Wales’ Jonny Clayton before losing to Northern Ireland, echoed the sentiment, noting, “The only two players that didn’t turn up together, didn’t sit together, didn’t play as a team… they didn’t win their first game.” His blunt assessment—“I wanted them to do well, but they were rubbish”—drew laughter but stung deeply.
Humphries, known as “Cool Hand Luke” for his composure, took to social media to address the criticism head-on. “Disappointing to hear a top former pro who I admired say such a damaging thing to me and Luke,” he wrote, accompanied by a hiding emoji and a laugh. “I didn’t let my country down last year tho did I. One bad game for us and we will be back next year to go again. Let’s move on now.” His response highlighted his pride in last year’s World Cup triumph alongside Michael Smith and his belief that a single loss shouldn’t overshadow their achievements. Littler, meanwhile, fired a now-deleted Instagram salvo, asserting he’d “done more in 12 months than [Priestley] ever did,” a bold claim reflecting his meteoric rise as the youngest PDC World Champion.
The criticism has sparked a broader debate about the unique demands of the World Cup’s pairs format. Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle pointed out the pressures of playing for country and teammate, noting, “Luke and Luke, no doubt, were feeling the stresses and strains of being massive favorites… The pressure got to them, and they buckled.” He praised Germany’s relentless performance, where every leg England won felt “earned.” The hostile crowd, booing England’s walk-on to “Vindaloo,” added to the challenge, though Schindler insisted, “We don’t approve the whistling and booing, but we still need to perform.”
For Humphries, the sting of defeat is tempered by perspective. The 30-year-old, who won the 2024 World Championship, Premier League, and World Matchplay, has faced personal struggles, admitting earlier this year that darts felt like a “chore” amid a grueling schedule. His friendship with Littler, whom he calls “a close friend” and “a great talent,” remains a source of strength. “I’m sure he’ll get me back plenty of times in the future,” he said after their Premier League final. As they prepare for the Betfred World Matchplay in July, both players are determined to silence their critics, with Humphries vowing a stronger return in 2026. In a sport where individual brilliance often shines, their World Cup setback is a reminder that teamwork can make—or break—the dream.
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