Germany led a pack of lower ranked seeds and dangerous pairings into the knockout stages of BetVictor World Cup of Darts. Poland,. Ireland and France also reached phase two on a bumper day of action in Frankfurt.
Day Two of the annual pairs event saw the group stage action conclude at the Eissporthalle, with hosts safely progressing to the knockout stages.
Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko eased through Group A for the loss of just two legs, following up their whitewash win over the Philippines with a 4-2 victory against New Zealand.
Last year’s semi-finalists will now play Czechia in round two, after Karel Sedlacek and Adam Gawlas guaranteed top spot in Group H with a 4-1 thumping of Denmark.
Republic of Ireland justified their status as a potential darkhorse for the title by clinching top spot in Group D, courtesy of a 4-2 success against Gibraltar’s Craig Galliano and Justin Hewitt.
William O’Connor and Mickey Mansell needed just two legs to confirm their progress, although they were forced to defy an impressive display from the young duo, who succumbed to Singapore’s Paul Lim and Phuay Wei Tan in their opening group stage tie.
When Darts Dark Horses Collide
The 2019 finalists will now face Poland for a place in the quarter-finals, as Krzysztof Ratajski and Sebastian Bialecki closed out a 4-2 success against Switzerland to advance through Group E.
The Polish pair are considered by many to be a damger to any opposition and even outsiders for the title. The combination of experienced hand Ratajski and the in form prodigy Bialecki is garnering interest, and fans alike, with each appearance.
Madars Razma and Valters Melderis still claimed top spot in Group J via legs difference, courtesy of Italy’s 4-2 victory against Balfour and Walklin on Friday afternoon.
The Latvians will now meet 2023 quarter-finalists France on Saturday afternoon, after Thibault Tricole and Nicolas Thuillier launched a stunning fightback from 3-0 down to dump out two-time runners-up Austria.
Mensur Suljovic and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez squandered four match darts to secure top spot in Group I, and France duly capitalised, having also emerged through a seven-leg tie against China earlier in the day.
Following Saturday’s action, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place during a bumper double session on Sunday, as the remaining eight nations go head-to-head for World Cup glory.
The 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts is being broadcast on Sky Sports for viewers in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC’s international broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers.
2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts
Friday June 12 Afternoon Session
Thursday’s losing nation v Team 3
Denmark 4-1 India (H)
Spain 4-3 Croatia (K)
Hungary 4-0 Finland (L)
Singapore 4-2 Gibraltar (D)
Switzerland 4-1 Portugal (E)
South Africa 4-1 Mongolia (F)
Italy 4-2 Trinidad & Tobago (J)
Belgium 4-1 Slovenia (B)
Philippines 4-1 New Zealand (A)
Lithuania 4-2 Thailand (C)
France 4-3 China (I)
Canada 4-1 Australia (G)
Evening Session
Thursday’s winning nation v Team 3
Czechia 4-1 Denmark (H)
Spain 4-1 Japan (K)
Norway 4-3 Hungary (L)
Republic of Ireland 4-2 Gibraltar (D)
Poland 4-2 Switzerland (E)
Sweden 4-1 Mongolia (F)
Trinidad & Tobago 4-3 Latvia (J)
Slovenia 4-2 Hong Kong (B)
Germany 4-2 New Zealand (A)
Wales 4-1 Thailand (C)
France 4-3 Austria (I)
USA 4-2 Canada (G)
Round Two Saturday June 13
Afternoon Session (1300 local time)
Republic of Ireland v Poland
Latvia v France(4)
Scotland v Norway
Wales v USA
Evening Session (1900 local time)
(3) Northern Ireland v Belgium
Germany v Czechia
(1) England v Spain
(2) Netherlands v Sweden
Draw Bracket – Round Two Onwards
(1) England v SpainWales v USA
(4) Scotland v Norway
Republic of Ireland v Poland
(2) Netherlands v Sweden
Germany v Czechia
(3) Northern Ireland v Belgium
Latvia v France
—–ENDS—–
Images: Sebastian Doppstadt/PDC and Jenny Segers/PDC
