In a stunning upset at the 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt, England’s dynamic duo of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, the world’s top two ranked players, faced a crushing defeat that has sparked intense debate within the darts community. The pair, expected to dominate as pre-tournament favorites, were knocked out in the second round by Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in an 8-4 rout at the Eissporthalle. The loss was not just a professional setback but a deeply personal one for Littler, who endured a hostile environment that left his teammate Humphries questioning whether the young star would return to Germany for future events.
The atmosphere in Frankfurt was electric but unforgiving for the English pair. As they walked onto the stage to the tune of Fat Les’ “Vindaloo,” the 3,500-strong crowd unleashed a torrent of boos and whistles, creating an intimidating backdrop. Humphries, the world No. 1, managed a wry smile, seemingly unfazed by the jeers, but Littler, the 18-year-old reigning world champion, appeared visibly shaken. “I could tell by his face he didn’t enjoy it,” Humphries later reflected, noting the toll the crowd’s hostility took on his younger teammate. “It was incredibly tough, especially for Luke. I kind of relished it, but he’s still young to that.”
The match itself was a masterclass in German resilience. Schindler and Pietreczko capitalized on England’s uncharacteristic errors, particularly their struggles with doubles, converting only four of 11 attempts. Littler, usually a clinical finisher, missed crucial darts, including three in the fifth leg, allowing Pietreczko to land a spectacular 106 checkout. Humphries also faltered, notably hitting 25 instead of the bullseye on a 122 attempt, which handed Germany a commanding 5-2 lead at the break. Despite a brief rally to 7-4, England couldn’t recover, and Pietreczko sealed the victory with a decisive 62 finish. Schindler, who had boldly claimed pre-match that the English duo were “beatable,” reveled in the triumph, stating, “We believed in ourselves, and that was the key.”
The fallout was immediate and harsh. Darts legend Dennis Priestley criticized Littler and Humphries, accusing them of “letting their country down” and questioning their recent MBE honors. Gerwyn Price, a Welsh rival, also chimed in, suggesting a lack of team spirit. Humphries fiercely defended their partnership, insisting, “We were a team. We sat right next to each other at the table… We get along really well. It just didn’t happen for us.” He explained their staggered arrivals—Humphries four hours early for practice, Littler two—were a strategic choice, not a sign of discord. “I told Luke, ‘Do your own thing.’ I need more practice, he doesn’t,” he said.
For Littler, the Frankfurt experience adds to a pattern of challenging moments in Germany. Earlier in 2025, he faced similar crowd hostility at the German Darts Grand Prix, prompting a now-deleted Instagram post hinting at boycotting future German events. Humphries, while acknowledging the prestige of the World Cup, expressed uncertainty about Littler’s return, saying, “You’d have to ask him. I think it’s so prestigious that he will. Whether he goes back for Euro Tours? That’s not for me to answer.” He urged fans to support Littler, emphasizing, “He’s a great pioneer for the sport. We should celebrate him, not whistle at him.”
The defeat has raised broader questions about the pressures of representing one’s country in a pairs format, where rhythm and teamwork are critical. Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle noted, “The pressure got to them at some point, and they buckled. Their opponents didn’t, and full credit to Martin and Ricardo.” Despite the setback, both players have moved on, competing at the US Darts Masters in New York shortly after. Humphries, reflecting on the loss, remained optimistic, stating, “One bad game for us, and we’ll be back next year to go again.”
As Littler prepares for his next challenge at the Poland Darts Masters on July 4-5, 2025, in Gliwice, the darts world watches closely. Will the young star overcome the scars of Frankfurt, or will Germany remain a hurdle in his meteoric rise? For now, Humphries’ words linger: a call to celebrate a prodigy who has transformed darts, rather than tear him down.
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