As the World Cup of Darts kicks off in Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle, 18-year-old darts prodigy Luke Littler is bracing for a hostile reception from German fans and a stern challenge from the host nation’s players, Ricardo Pietreczko and Martin Schindler. The teenage sensation, known as “The Nuke,” is set to make his debut for England alongside world No. 1 Luke Humphries in a highly anticipated round-of-16 clash against Germany on Saturday evening. However, Littler’s past comments about avoiding Germany have sparked a fiery response from his opponents, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown.
Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, has been a polarizing figure in Germany following a series of tense encounters with local crowds. Earlier this year, after a semi-final loss to Gian van Veen at the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich, Littler vented his frustration on social media, writing, “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway. Next one in Germany for me is Dortmund and I am glad to say that.” The now-deleted post suggested a boycott of German events until October, prompting speculation that he might skip the World Cup. Littler later clarified his commitment to the tournament, saying, “No, no I was always [going to play],” but the damage was done, and his words have not been forgotten by the German duo.
Pietreczko, known for his fiery demeanor, seized the opportunity to taunt Littler ahead of their potential clash. “I think it was a very funny game against both Lukes, because Luke Littler says never come back to Germany,” he remarked with a grin, poking fun at the teenager’s earlier statement. His partner, Schindler, added fuel to the fire, predicting that the German fans would play a pivotal role. “I think the fans are going to play a major role in that,” Schindler said, hinting at the intense atmosphere awaiting England’s star pairing. The German pair, who dropped just two legs in their opening matches, are riding a wave of home support and are eager to upset the top-seeded English team.
Littler’s history with German crowds has been rocky. At the Premier League Darts event in Berlin and the German Darts Grand Prix, he faced relentless boos, which he admitted left him “a bit angry.” Reflecting on his Munich experience, Littler confessed to mimicking the antics of darts veteran Gerwyn Price, saying, “I did what Gerwyn Price always does—go on Instagram, have a bit of a moan and take it down half an hour later.” Despite the backlash, Littler insists he’s ready to channel the hostility into motivation. “I cannot wait,” he declared, expressing excitement about donning the England shirt for the first time. “I’ve not spoke to anyone about putting the shirt on for your country, but I am sure it is one of the best feelings you’ll ever have.”
Humphries, who won the World Cup last year with Michael Smith, is no stranger to the pressures of representing England. He warned that the German crowd could create a “hostile” environment but urged focus on the game. “When you get involved with the crowd, it never ends well, so it’ll be important to focus on the darts and let the crowd do what they want to do,” he advised. Humphries, who recently claimed the Premier League title over Littler, praised his young teammate’s resilience, calling him “a great kid” and predicting a formidable partnership. “It will take good darts to beat us. They will have to play well,” Humphries said confidently.
The England duo enters the tournament as favorites, boasting the highest average ranking on the PDC circuit. Littler’s meteoric rise, marked by his World Championship win at just 17, has made him a global sensation, with over £1 million in prize money and a string of major titles, including the Premier League and Grand Slam. However, Scottish veteran Peter Wright cast doubt on their chemistry, suggesting that Littler and Humphries “won’t click” and controversially proposing that Michael Smith should have retained his spot. “Look at the amount of really good England teams that have been paired up and they haven’t clicked,” Wright told reporters, drawing parallels to past failures.
Littler, undeterred, is eager to prove his doubters wrong. “Luke won it last year with Michael Smith, I’m sure he’ll want to go back-to-back. For myself, I want to win it on debut just as much as Luke wants to retain it,” he said. With England aiming for a sixth World Cup title in 15 years, the pressure is on, but Littler’s rapid-fire style and heavy scoring—evidenced by his record-breaking 140.91 set average at the World Championship—make him a formidable force. As the darts world watches, the stage is set for a thrilling battle, with Littler’s resilience and Humphries’ experience pitted against a passionate German side and their raucous supporters.
Leave a Reply