The 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt was expected to be a coronation for England’s Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, the world’s top two players, whose MBE honors and dazzling resumes made them the odds-on favorites. Instead, the Eissporthalle bore witness to a seismic upset as Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko dispatched the English duo 8-4 in the second round, exposing their vulnerabilities. While Littler and Humphries reeled from the defeat, Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney seized the spotlight, clinching the title with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Wales. Rock’s record-breaking performance—averaging 107.88 and throwing nine 180s in the final—has sparked a bold warning from pundit Wayne Mardle: the 24-year-old is now a formidable threat to darts’ elite. “Josh Rock has been world-class for the last three or four years,” Mardle declared. “This may be the catalyst for him to actually kick on and reach major finals.”
The stage was set for Littler and Humphries to dominate, with Humphries fresh off a Premier League title and Littler, the 18-year-old reigning world champion, riding a wave of accolades, including the 2025 UK Open. Yet, their debut as a pair unraveled in Frankfurt’s hostile atmosphere, where 3,500 German fans booed them to the oche. Littler, visibly rattled, missed three darts at a double in the fifth leg, allowing Pietreczko to land a spectacular 106 finish. Humphries’ errant 25 instead of the bull on a 122 checkout further tilted the match, leaving England trailing 5-2 at the break. Despite a brief rally, their paltry four doubles from 11 attempts sealed their fate. Schindler, who had boldly called the pair “beatable,” reveled in the upset, saying, “We believed in ourselves, and that was the key.” The loss prompted Littler and Humphries to skip the upcoming Players Championship events in Leicester, signaling a need to regroup before the Betfred World Matchplay.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s triumph was a masterclass in synergy and resilience. Gurney, the veteran at 39, sealed the victory with a clutch double eight on his fifth match dart, but it was Rock’s explosive scoring that stole the show. “With Daryl Gurney this week, you had solid backup for a player who was basically showing every other player in the world how to hit 180s,” Mardle noted, dismissing claims that Rock had been underperforming since earning his PDC Tour card in 2022 as “fake news.” Rock’s nine 180s set a new World Cup final record, and his 107.88 average underscored his potential as a future world champion. “Holding it together is what professional sports are all about,” Mardle added. “He’s got the game. One of the games of his life in the biggest game of his life.”
Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, two-time champions, pushed Northern Ireland to the brink in the final, with Price later criticizing Littler and Humphries for lacking a “team ethic.” “You need to be as a team,” he said, pointing to their failure to “turn up together” or “sit together” backstage. His own partnership with Clayton, which saw them crush the Philippines 8-2 and outlast the Netherlands 8-5, exemplified the unity England lacked. Northern Ireland’s path was equally grueling, with an 8-2 rout of South Africa and an 8-1 semifinal demolition of Germany, where Schindler and Pietreczko couldn’t match their earlier heroics.
Rock’s breakout has shifted the darts landscape. His 2024 Dutch Darts Championship win and UK Open semifinal run had hinted at his potential, but this World Cup performance—capped by £40,000 in prize money per player—marks his arrival as a serious contender. “We know he can do damage,” Mardle said. “This has to give him the confidence.” As Littler and Humphries prepare for the Matchplay, where Humphries defends his title, Rock’s emergence looms large. The darts world now watches not just the established stars but a new force from Northern Ireland, ready to challenge the sport’s hierarchy with every 180 he throws.
# Josh Rock Emerges as Darts’ New Powerhouse After Stunning World Cup Triumph
The 2025 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt was expected to be a coronation for England’s Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, the world’s top two players, whose MBE honors and dazzling resumes made them the odds-on favorites. Instead, the Eissporthalle bore witness to a seismic upset as Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko dispatched the English duo 8-4 in the second round, exposing their vulnerabilities. While Littler and Humphries reeled from the defeat, Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney seized the spotlight, clinching the title with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Wales. Rock’s record-breaking performance—averaging 107.88 and throwing nine 180s in the final—has sparked a bold warning from pundit Wayne Mardle: the 24-year-old is now a formidable threat to darts’ elite. “Josh Rock has been world-class for the last three or four years,” Mardle declared. “This may be the catalyst for him to actually kick on and reach major finals.”
The stage was set for Littler and Humphries to dominate, with Humphries fresh off a Premier League title and Littler, the 18-year-old reigning world champion, riding a wave of accolades, including the 2025 UK Open. Yet, their debut as a pair unraveled in Frankfurt’s hostile atmosphere, where 3,500 German fans booed them to the oche. Littler, visibly rattled, missed three darts at a double in the fifth leg, allowing Pietreczko to land a spectacular 106 finish. Humphries’ errant 25 instead of the bull on a 122 checkout further tilted the match, leaving England trailing 5-2 at the break. Despite a brief rally, their paltry four doubles from 11 attempts sealed their fate. Schindler, who had boldly called the pair “beatable,” reveled in the upset, saying, “We believed in ourselves, and that was the key.” The loss prompted Littler and Humphries to skip the upcoming Players Championship events in Leicester, signaling a need to regroup before the Betfred World Matchplay.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s triumph was a masterclass in synergy and resilience. Gurney, the veteran at 39, sealed the victory with a clutch double eight on his fifth match dart, but it was Rock’s explosive scoring that stole the show. “With Daryl Gurney this week, you had solid backup for a player who was basically showing every other player in the world how to hit 180s,” Mardle noted, dismissing claims that Rock had been underperforming since earning his PDC Tour card in 2022 as “fake news.” Rock’s nine 180s set a new World Cup final record, and his 107.88 average underscored his potential as a future world champion. “Holding it together is what professional sports are all about,” Mardle added. “He’s got the game. One of the games of his life in the biggest game of his life.”
Wales’ Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, two-time champions, pushed Northern Ireland to the brink in the final, with Price later criticizing Littler and Humphries for lacking a “team ethic.” “You need to be as a team,” he said, pointing to their failure to “turn up together” or “sit together” backstage. His own partnership with Clayton, which saw them crush the Philippines 8-2 and outlast the Netherlands 8-5, exemplified the unity England lacked. Northern Ireland’s path was equally grueling, with an 8-2 rout of South Africa and an 8-1 semifinal demolition of Germany, where Schindler and Pietreczko couldn’t match their earlier heroics.
Rock’s breakout has shifted the darts landscape. His 2024 Dutch Darts Championship win and UK Open semifinal run had hinted at his potential, but this World Cup performance—capped by £40,000 in prize money per player—marks his arrival as a serious contender. “We know he can do damage,” Mardle said. “This has to give him the confidence.” As Littler and Humphries prepare for the Matchplay, where Humphries defends his title, Rock’s emergence looms large. The darts world now watches not just the established stars but a new force from Northern Ireland, ready to challenge the sport’s hierarchy with every 180 he throws.
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