Wales and Germany have negotiated the group stage at the BetVictor World Cup of Darts, but the final night in Frankfurt was anything but routine as France, Belgium and the United States helped shape a lively last-16 draw.
The updated PDC Europe tournament page confirmed that Germany beat New Zealand 4-2 and Wales saw off Thailand 4-1 on Friday evening, putting both seeded group-stage nations safely into Saturday’s knockout action. The same results page also listed France’s second 4-3 win over Austria, a result that sends them through from Group I after two deciding-leg victories in one day.
For UK fans looking for the cleanest headline, Wales did what they had to do. Jonny Clayton and Nick Kenny arrived in Frankfurt under obvious scrutiny because Gerwyn Price is absent, but two 4-1 wins from two matches is a calm answer in a format that can make even favourites look uncomfortable quickly.
Wales keep the Price question quiet
Clayton and Kenny will know the tougher tests are still ahead, starting with the United States in the last 16, but Wales have at least removed the early jeopardy. Their opening win over Lithuania gave them control of Group C, and Friday’s success against Thailand made sure there was no needless drama before the seeded heavyweights enter the event.
That matters because the World Cup is a different rhythm to the tour. Players share visits, momentum can disappear quickly, and the short race in the group stage punishes one loose spell. Wales were not perfect, but they were professional, and that is a decent platform for a nation chasing a third title.
Germany move on, France crash the draw
Germany’s progress will also keep the Eissporthalle crowd fully invested. Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko made their statement on Thursday with a 101.9 team average against the Philippines, a performance highlighted by the PDPA’s tournament report. Friday’s 4-2 win over New Zealand was less explosive, but it was enough to top Group A and set up a last-16 tie with Czechia.
The more dramatic story came from France. Having edged China 4-3 in the afternoon, they repeated the trick against Austria in the evening to knock out Mensur Suljovic and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez. DartsNews described France’s win over Austria as a stunning comeback, and the draw now gives them Latvia rather than one of the top four seeds. That is suddenly a route worth taking seriously.
Belgium survive, England enter
Belgium also squeezed through in the kind of fashion that will divide opinion. After losing to Hong Kong on Thursday, Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh beat Slovenia 4-1, then watched Slovenia beat Hong Kong 4-2 to create a three-way tie. Belgium advanced on leg difference, a fortunate escape but still enough to earn a meeting with defending champions Northern Ireland.
The Saturday afternoon draw sends Ireland against Poland, Latvia against France, Scotland against Norway and Wales against the USA. The evening session brings Northern Ireland against Belgium, Germany against Czechia, England against Spain and the Netherlands against Sweden, according to the official PDC day-two schedule.
That means Luke Littler and Luke Humphries now enter the tournament for England, with the group-stage tension replaced by straight knockout pressure. Wales and Germany have done the necessary groundwork. France and Belgium have added the intrigue. From here, the World Cup finally becomes the kind of news event that can turn on one missed double.