Wales and Northern Ireland advanced to the World Cup of Darts semi-finals after quarter-final victories on Sunday in Frankfurt.
Wales and Northern Ireland Secure Semi-Final Berths
Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, aiming for a third World Cup title, led Wales to an 8-4 win against Hong Kong, boasting a remarkable 99.66 three-dart average.
“We maintained consistency throughout, although they applied pressure at times,” Price commented to Sky Sports after securing their semi-final spot against the Netherlands. “We weren’t at our peak, but improved from our last match. We’ll continue improving with each game, and we’ll respond to any challenge.”
Clayton, currently fifth, and Price, eleventh in the PDC Order of Merit, are the highest-ranked players remaining.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney overcame the Republic of Ireland’s Keane Barry and Willie O’Connor in a thrilling 8-5 victory, recovering from a 5-4 deficit with four consecutive legs.
“A fantastic match, showcasing Irish darts at its best,” Gurney, a former World Grand Prix winner, remarked. “Credit to Keane and Willie—they contributed to a great game.”
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Northern Ireland will face Germany in the semi-finals, following Germany’s upset win over pre-tournament favorites England and their subsequent victory over Australia in a deciding leg.
Australia’s Damon Heta missed a match dart, allowing Martin Schindler to secure Germany’s semi-final berth with a double 12 finish.
While Northern Ireland and Germany aim for their first World Cup final appearance, the other semi-final pits two six-time champions against each other.
The Netherlands, winners of four titles in the tournament’s early years, last triumphed in 2018. Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen, continued their dominant run, overcoming the Czech Republic 8-2 after a brief lapse in their previously undefeated streak.
A Netherlands victory would tie them with England for the most World Cup titles.
Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney hope to guide Northern Ireland to their first World Cup final.
Quarter-Final Results
Northern Ireland 8-5 Republic of Ireland
Germany 8-7 Australia
Wales 8-4 Hong Kong
Netherlands 8-2 Czech Republic
Semi-Finals (18:00 BST, best of 15 legs)
Germany v Northern Ireland
Wales v Netherlands
Final (following semi-finals, best of 19 legs)
Germany/Northern Ireland v Wales/Netherlands