The World Cup of Darts rivalry angle was impossible to ignore after England’s 10-5 win over the Netherlands in Frankfurt, because this felt bigger than one final. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler did not just win the title for England; they beat a Dutch pairing that looked good enough to come back and push them again. That is why Wayne Mardle’s reaction landed so quickly with fans watching on Sky Sports.
England’s pair beat Michael van Gerwen and Gian van Veen 10-5 at Frankfurt’s Eissporthalle to seal the country’s record-extending sixth World Cup title, with PDC coverage confirming another landmark moment in the doubles event. Sky Sports also reported that England averaged 104.7 in the final, describing it as the highest average ever in a World Cup final. For a team event built on chemistry, pressure and quick swings, that figure says plenty about how complete England’s display was.
Humphries has now won the World Cup for the second time after lifting it in 2024 alongside Michael Smith, while Littler claimed the title for the first time at his second attempt. For readers wanting the straight match coverage, Nine Dart News has already covered England’s World Cup Darts title win. The more interesting question now is what comes next in darts.
Why Mardle sees a World Cup of Darts rivalry
Mardle’s argument is compelling because it is rooted in the level both pairings showed across the weekend, not just in nostalgia. He said: “These two, as in Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, and Gian van Veen and Michael van Gerwen, they could set up the ultimate rivalry in the World Cup.”
That is a bold claim, but there is enough evidence to take it seriously. England had to survive a real scare against Wales in the quarter-finals, coming back from 4-0 down to win 8-7. They then beat Scotland 8-3 before turning in their best performance of the day in the final. The Netherlands were strong as well, beating Germany 8-4 in the quarter-finals and Northern Ireland 8-2 in the semi-finals.
DartsNews highlighted the same Mardle theme and also noted that Van Gerwen and Van Veen averaged 101.55 in that semi-final win over Northern Ireland. That matters, because it shows the Dutch pair were not simply making up the numbers before England outclassed them. They arrived in the final playing at a standard that would usually be enough to win many team matches.
Mardle added: “A bit like Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor vs Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld. It could be so similar to that.” It is an evocative comparison, not because the eras are identical, but because rivalries at this event need both class and continuity. England clearly have the class. The Netherlands may have the continuity too if Van Gerwen and Van Veen stay together.
Van Gerwen and Van Veen still have a route back
That is the key point in all this. England were better on the night, and comfortably so, but the Dutch story does not end with a 10-5 defeat. Mardle said: “But if Van Veen has Van Gerwen in his corner, and they do play the World Cup next year and the year after, we could have that rivalry.”
It is easy to see why. Van Gerwen remains one of the sport’s central figures, and Van Veen’s inclusion gives the Netherlands a partner with enough scoring power to keep pace in the heaviest matches. Their semi-final average underlined that they already have a high ceiling together.
Van Gerwen himself struck a balanced note afterwards. He said: “There’s definitely positives. We did okay but I think we can do a lot better than this.” That feels fair rather than defiant. England were outstanding, yet the Netherlands still leave Frankfurt with a template they can build on.
Van Gerwen also said: “And you don’t want to give these two guys confidence. No 1 and No 2 in the world, they are doing great lately.” That line probably sums up the challenge better than anything else. Humphries and Littler are not just talented; they are carrying status, form and belief into the team arena. That raises the bar for everyone else.
What it means for England after Frankfurt
For England, this was more than another title. It was proof that the Humphries-Littler pairing can handle different types of pressure in one day: panic against Wales, control against Scotland and elite finishing against the Netherlands. That breadth is what future champions usually need.
It also sharpens the sense that Littler’s rise is spilling into every format. His wider ambitions have already been a talking point, including the clean sweep chase around World Cup glory. Adding a first World Cup title alongside Humphries only strengthens England’s position at the top of the team game.
If Mardle is right, Frankfurt may be remembered less as a one-off England win and more as the start of the matchup that defines this era. Right now England hold the trophy, the record average and the momentum. The Netherlands may still have the ingredients to make sure this story does not end there.
