The 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt delivered a shock that reverberated through the darts community, as England’s powerhouse duo, Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, suffered a stunning defeat to Germany in the second round. The pre-tournament favorites, fresh off receiving MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours, were expected to dominate the competition. Instead, their 8-4 loss to Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko left fans and pundits reeling. Welsh darts star Gerwyn Price, a formidable figure in the sport, didn’t hold back in his assessment, igniting a firestorm of discussion with his candid remarks about the English pair’s lack of camaraderie and team spirit.
Price, who reached the final alongside teammate Jonny Clayton before falling 10-9 to Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, pointed to a deeper issue behind England’s collapse. “The only two players that didn’t turn up together, didn’t sit together, didn’t play as a team,” Price remarked, his words dripping with conviction. He labeled their performance “rubbish,” suggesting that their lack of unity was a critical factor in their downfall. His comments painted a vivid picture of a disconnected duo, unable to harness their individual brilliance into a cohesive partnership.
The atmosphere in Frankfurt was electric, with a raucous crowd of 3,500 German fans amplifying the pressure. Littler and Humphries, donning matching white kits and walking out to the tune of “Vindaloo” by Fat Les, were met with boos as they approached the oche. Humphries appeared to take the hostile reception in stride, flashing a smile, while the 18-year-old Littler, making his World Cup debut, seemed more affected, his focus wavering under the crowd’s relentless jeers. The German pair capitalized on this, racing to a 2-0 lead and maintaining momentum despite a brief fightback from England. Missed doubles, particularly from Littler, proved costly, and the pair never recovered after falling 5-2 behind at the break.
Price’s critique extended beyond mere performance, delving into the dynamics of teamwork. He argued that Littler and Humphries failed to embody the “team ethic” displayed by other nations, such as his own Welsh partnership with Clayton. The Welsh duo’s journey to the final showcased their synergy, as they toppled strong teams like the Philippines, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands before their narrow defeat. Price’s pride in his team’s unity was palpable, and his pointed remarks about England suggested a stark contrast. “You need to turn up together, you need to be as a team,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of mutual support in the high-stakes pairs format.
The defeat marked a significant setback for Littler, the reigning world champion who has captivated audiences with his meteoric rise. At just 18, he’s already a household name, credited with bringing a new wave of fans to darts. Humphries, the world No. 1, has been a consistent force, with eight major titles to his name, including the 2024 World Championship. Their recent rivalry, highlighted by Humphries’ victory over Littler in the Premier League Darts final, had raised expectations for a dominant World Cup showing. Yet, their first-time partnership faltered under the pressure of expectation and a hostile environment.
Speculation about tension between the two English stars has swirled, fueled by Price’s observations and their visible lack of coordination. Some pointed to Littler’s past struggles in Germany, including a clash with Ricardo Pietreczko at the Belgian Darts Open and crowd backlash that prompted him to vent on social media, a tactic he admitted borrowing from Price himself. Humphries, meanwhile, had vowed to shield his younger teammate from the crowd’s hostility, but their disjointed performance suggested deeper challenges.
Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle offered another perspective, noting that the pairs format and the weight of favoritism may have overwhelmed the duo. “You can’t just think: ‘I’ve been here before, it’s fine,’” he said, reflecting on Humphries’ experience winning the title with Michael Smith in 2024. The loss has prompted both players to take a step back, with neither registering for the upcoming Players Championship events in Leicester, signaling a need to regroup.
As the darts world looks ahead to the Betfred World Matchplay from July 19-27, where Humphries will defend his title and Littler aims to add to his accolades, questions linger about their ability to mesh as a team. Price’s explosive comments have not only spotlighted England’s shortcomings but also underscored the importance of unity in a sport often seen as individualistic. For now, the darts community buzzes with debate: was this a one-off stumble for two of the game’s brightest stars, or a sign of deeper cracks in their partnership?
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