The thirteenth edition of the PDC World Cup of Darts was held in Frankfurt from 15 to 18 June. A completely new format in which from this year onwards only pairs matches are played. In the first round, 36 pairs play on behalf of their country in 12 groups, the number one of each group advances to the knockout phase. Then the best four countries in the world will also join the field and the tournament will be played to a winner.
The Northern Irish lose to France in the group stage and Croatia also causes a surprise by eliminating Ireland. In the first round of the knockout phase, there are a few juicy matches on the program. Host country Germany takes on Poland and narrowly wins 8-6. Sweden against Canada is also a cracker on paper and is won by the Scandinavians. The biggest surprise, however, is the elimination of the Netherlands, Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert are beaten by their southern neighbours Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri Van den Bergh in a 15th and decisive leg.
The next surprises follow in the quarterfinals, the number one seeded England with Michael Smith and Rob Cross lose to host country Germany with Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens. Defending champion Australia also gets knocked out out, Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta lose to the Belgians, again in a 15th and decisive leg.
In the semi-finals, Scotland and Germany remain in the first semi-final and Wales and Belgium in the other semi-final. Peter Wright and Gary Anderson are ultimately 8-5 too strong for Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens. In the other semi-final it goes again to a 15th and decisive leg, the third time already for the Belgians, but this time it is Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton who take the last leg.
The final is a one-sided affair, Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton are simply too strong for Peter Wright and Gary Anderson. The result is 10-2 for the duo from Wales and with that they are crowned PDC World Cup of Darts champions for the second time.