England have won the World Cup — no, not that one. Luke Littler and Luke Humphries overcame the Netherlands on Sunday to win the World Cup of Darts for a record-extending sixth time.
Take note, Thomas Tuchel. The same is expected of your England side in North America this summer. In all honesty, England could do worse than watch this final for inspiration before their opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
Littler and Humphries had the pressure of the favourites tag as the top seeds entering the tournament. The pair first came together last year and crashed out against Germany in their opening game.
It left serious questions as to whether the World No.1 and No.2 could put their rivalry aside and collaborate in pursuit of glory.
But those doubts were truly cast aside in Frankfurt this weekend, with Luke² relentless against Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen.
Van Gerwen hit 180 on the first visit, with a 13-dart hold of throw from Holland. It looked a tough proposition.
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler beat the Netherlands 10-5 in World Cup of Darts final
Usually the opponents on the oche, the pair embraced immediately with Littler’s face overcome with pure elation
Littler’s attentions are now firmly set on a clean sweep after winning a seventh major title since November. He is yet to taste defeat in a major this year
However, it was England who took command. After four successive holds, Littler found his signature D10 after van Gerwen failed to take out 100.
Humphries consolidated in the following leg, taking out 81. England were in the groove and soon charged into a 6-2 lead.
Van Gerwen had played some impressive darts and is edging back to his best. But England were more united. Their average was six greater than Holland’s and eight fewer trebleless visits did its fair share of the damage.
England consistently outscored Holland, which disguised their rather low double success of 38%. D8 won it. Littler left 41. Humphries knocked nine off before missing D16 and returning to win 10-5.
Usually the opponents on the oche, the pair embraced immediately with Littler’s face overcome with pure elation. This could be a pair that in years to come match, or even better, the achievements of Phil Taylor and Adrian Lewis, who won this tournament four times together.
Winning the World Cup was a familiar feeling for Humphries, who lifted the title with Michael Smith in 2024. For Littler, this was a rare new addition to his distinguished roll of honour. Only the European Championship eludes him now.
His attentions are now firmly set on a clean sweep after winning a seventh major title since November. He is yet to taste defeat in a major this year.
For now, however, he is off for a night on the lash: ‘He’s [Littler] got an early flight in the morning, but he might miss it because I’m going to take him to the bar and have a few baby Guinnesses,’ said Humphries. ‘Come on!’
