In the high-stakes arena of the 2025 World Cup of Darts, England’s hopes of retaining their title were shattered in a stunning upset that left fans and players alike reeling. The powerhouse duo of Luke Littler and Luke Humphries, the world’s top two players, suffered an unexpected 8-4 defeat to Germany’s Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko in the second round in Frankfurt. Former world champion Michael Smith, who partnered Humphries to victory in 2024, has pointed the finger at a surprising culprit: ego. “They were trying to compete against each other instead of with each other,” Smith declared, suggesting that individual ambitions undermined their teamwork, costing England a shot at glory.
The tournament began with sky-high expectations for Littler and Humphries, who entered as overwhelming favorites. Littler, the reigning world champion at just 18, and Humphries, the world No. 1, were expected to dominate the Eissporthalle. Their partnership, however, was their first at the World Cup, and cracks appeared early. Booed onto the stage by a raucous German crowd, the pair struggled to find their rhythm, managing only a 93 average and converting just four of 11 double attempts. Germany, fueled by home support, capitalized with clinical precision, with Pietreczko’s double 16s sealing a famous victory. “I was right,” Schindler said post-match, reflecting on his pre-tournament claim that the English duo was beatable. “We believed in ourselves, and we put in a solid performance.”
Smith, reflecting on his 2024 triumph alongside Humphries, contrasted his approach with the 2025 debacle. “I didn’t have an ego going on the stage,” he said, recalling how he set aside personal pride to prioritize team success. As the then-world No. 2, Smith adapted his game to complement Humphries, leaving his partner’s preferred doubles and stepping out of his comfort zone. “I thought he is the No. 1, the main player, and I’ll do everything he needs,” Smith explained. He recounted throwing at unfamiliar triples to set up Humphries, ensuring his partner was positioned for success even if he missed. This selfless strategy, Smith argued, was the key to their 2024 title, a 10-6 win over Austria. “I let my ego go to one side,” he emphasized, lamenting that Littler and Humphries failed to do the same.
The turning point, according to Smith, came in moments like Littler’s choice to go for treble 15 to leave double tops on 125 against Germany, a risky shot that backfired, leaving Humphries with a less favorable 93. “That was his ego taking over,” Smith said, highlighting how Littler’s attempt to outshine his teammate disrupted their synergy. The result was a disjointed performance, with the pair unable to recover from a 5-2 deficit at the break. Humphries, typically a metronome of consistency, hit 25 instead of the bullseye on a 122 attempt, further compounding their woes.
The fallout was immediate and fierce. Littler, visibly frustrated, stormed off the stage without Humphries after the loss, a move that sparked debate among fans. Some, like legendary referee Russ Bray, suggested the duo were “rabbits in headlights,” overwhelmed by the pressure of being top seeds. Others, including Gerwyn Price, criticized their lack of unity, noting they didn’t practice or sit together. “You need to be as a team,” Price said, pointing to his own partnership with Jonny Clayton, which propelled Wales to the final. Humphries, however, pushed back against the narrative of discord. “All that stuff about us not being a team was not true,” he insisted, emphasizing that he and Littler got along well and were “well up for playing together.”
Despite the defeat, there’s optimism for 2026. Adrian Lewis, a former teammate of Phil Taylor, believes the experience will strengthen the pair. “Next year, it can only make them stronger,” he said, drawing parallels to his own doubles struggles with Taylor, where one player’s off day was offset by the other’s brilliance. For now, though, the darts world is left to ponder what might have been. Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney seized the title in a thrilling 10-9 final over Wales, proving that teamwork can trump individual stardom. As Littler and Humphries lick their wounds, Smith’s words linger: in a game of precision, ego can be the most costly miss of all.
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