Defending champions Northern Ireland kicked off their 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts campaign with a heart-stopping victory over Belgium. After falling significantly behind, the Northern Irish duo staged a remarkable comeback, winning a last-leg decider to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. They will now face Latvia, who also made history by reaching the last eight for the very first time.
The 2026 BetVictor World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt is in full swing, and Day Three brought the much-anticipated last 16 action. The Eissporthalle buzzed with excitement as the knockout stage began, marking the entry of the four top-seeded teams into the competition.
Northern Ireland’s Incredible Comeback Against Belgian Battlers
Reigning champions Northern Ireland, represented by Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney, faced a formidable challenge from Belgium’s Mike De Decker and Dimitri Van den Bergh. What unfolded was a true test of nerve and skill.
- Belgium Takes Control: The Belgian pair started strong, hitting five maximum 180s between them. Their impressive performance saw them race to a significant 5-2 lead, putting the defending champions under immense pressure.
- The Northern Irish Rally: Facing elimination, Rock and Gurney dug deep. They found their rhythm, winning six of the next eight legs to claw their way back into the match.
- Dramatic Decider: The match went down to a nail-biting last-leg decider. It was Daryl Gurney who delivered the decisive blow, coolly taking out a 102 finish to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and knock out the Belgians in dramatic fashion.
A relieved Gurney later insisted, “At no stage did we think we were beaten. Until the very last throw, we still believed we could win that game, and we weren’t in front until we won it. That tells you we’re champions. We’re here to win, we’re trying to go back-to-back, but now this game is over, we start afresh tomorrow!” Their next challenge will be Latvia in the quarter-finals.
Latvia Makes History with Quarter-Final Berth
In another thrilling encounter, Latvia, represented by Madars Razma and Valters Melderis, edged past France in a captivating last-leg decider. This victory propelled Latvia into the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history.
- Clash of Nerves: The match was a seesaw battle, with both teams exchanging blows.
- Latvian Precision: The Latvian pair showcased their composure, with both Razma and Melderis hitting crucial 110 checkouts in consecutive legs to take a 6-5 lead.
- Historic Finish: Although France managed to push the match to a deciding leg, Razma sealed their fate with an incredible, albeit accidental, double-double finish. This secured a monumental win for Latvia, marking a new chapter in their darting history.
What’s Next: The Road to Glory
Following Saturday’s intense action, the remaining eight nations will battle it out for World Cup glory during a bumper double session on Sunday. This includes the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the grand final.
The format for most matches in the tournament is a best of 15 legs, meaning the first team to win eight legs advances. The highly anticipated final, however, will be a more enduring contest, played as a best of 21 legs, requiring a team to win eleven legs to lift the trophy.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
