In a shocking upset at the 2025 BetVictor World Cup of Darts, held at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle, England’s dream team of Luke Humphries and Luke Littler suffered a devastating 8-4 loss to hosts Germany in the second round on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The top-seeded duo, featuring the world No. 1 and the reigning PDC World Champion, entered the tournament as overwhelming favorites, but Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko delivered a masterclass, leaving fans reeling and calling for immediate action to address England’s unexpected collapse.
The atmosphere was electric as the home crowd roared Germany to victory, amplifying the pressure on Humphries and Littler, who struggled to find their rhythm. The English pair, known for their heavy scoring and clinical finishing, faltered with uncharacteristic misses on doubles and lackluster scoring, averaging well below their usual standards. Germany, fueled by the passionate Frankfurt crowd, seized the moment, racing to a 5-2 lead by the interval. Schindler and Pietreczko’s relentless precision and composure saw them close out the match in style, eliminating England in one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. “It is RIDICULOUS from Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko as they smash England’s dream-team,” one observer noted, capturing the magnitude of the moment.
Littler, making his World Cup debut, had anticipated a hostile reception from German fans, given his rocky history with them. After facing boos in Munich and Berlin earlier this year, the 18-year-old admitted, “I wouldn’t say it’s upset me but I would say I was obviously a bit angry.” His earlier comments about avoiding Germany until October had stirred controversy, prompting German players to taunt him pre-match. Pietreczko referenced Littler’s remarks, saying, “Luke Littler says never come back to Germany,” while Schindler predicted the crowd would be a “major role” in their favor. Their words proved prophetic, as the home support propelled Germany to a performance that silenced doubters.
Humphries, who won the title last year with Michael Smith, had warned of a “hostile” environment but urged focus. “When you get involved with the crowd, it never ends well,” he said before the match, emphasizing the need to stay composed. Despite their preparation, the pair couldn’t replicate the form that saw Humphries average over 100 in last year’s final. “We’re fully aware that we’re going to be massive favourites and everyone’s going to expect us to win,” Humphries had noted, acknowledging the pressure. Yet, the doubles format, which demands seamless partnership, exposed cracks in their synergy, with some fans comparing their lack of cohesion to football’s infamous Gerrard-Lampard pairing.
Social media erupted with frustration, with fans demanding explanations for England’s subpar performance. Some pointed to Humphries’ decision not to practice with Littler beforehand, as he had stated, “When you’ve got two of the best players in the world, we’re not going to need to start practising together.” Others questioned whether the pressure of being favorites overwhelmed the duo, with one fan quipping that Littler and Humphries were “new Gerrard and Lampard,” unable to gel despite their individual brilliance. Calls for strategic changes, including better team preparation, echoed across platforms, with fans urging the PDC to address how such a talented pair could falter so early.
The defeat ends England’s hopes of a sixth World Cup title in 15 years, a run that included four triumphs by Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis. Littler, who had expressed excitement about wearing the England shirt, saying, “I’m sure it is one of the best feelings you’ll ever have,” was visibly disappointed. Humphries, aiming for a back-to-back crown, had called the World Cup “a special tournament that money can’t buy.” As Germany advances, joined by surprise packages like the Philippines, who stunned Belgium, the tournament remains wide open. For England, the focus shifts to regrouping for future challenges, with fans hoping this loss sparks a renewed drive for Littler and Humphries to reclaim their dominance.
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