The World Cup of Darts delivered thrilling action on its third day as top seeds entered the fray. Scotland, with their new duo Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies, made a sensational start, annihilating Norway 8-0 with a near-record team average. Ireland secured a hard-fought 8-5 victory over Poland, while Latvia created history by reaching the quarter-finals for the very first time. Wales also advanced to the last eight, thanks to spectacular checkouts from Jonny Clayton. This report dives into all the drama and decisive moments from the afternoon session.
Scotland’s Stellar Start: A Dominant Debut
The fourth-seeded Scottish team kicked off their World Cup campaign in spectacular fashion. The newly formed partnership of Gary Anderson and Cameron Menzies proved an instant success, delivering a **resounding 8-0 whitewash against Norway**. Their performance was nothing short of brilliant, boasting a **fantastic 99.37 team average** – the fifth-highest in tournament history for this format.
Remarkably, Cameron Menzies had faced pre-match drama, having to make a morning dash to the airport after his luggage, containing his darts, initially failed to arrive. Despite this, “Cammy” played with as much composure and skill as his seasoned partner Anderson. For Norway, Kent Jøran Sivertsen put in a decent effort, but Cor Dekker struggled to match the Scots’ calibre. Dekker missed crucial darts to make it 2-1, and from that point, the match was a one-sided affair.
Ireland Edges Out Poland in Tense Clash
The highly anticipated all-quarter-final clash between Ireland and Poland lived up to its billing as a potential thriller. Both nations were considered dark horses outside the top four seeds, and fate brought them together early. **Ireland ultimately emerged victorious with an 8-5 win**, securing their third-ever spot in the quarter-finals, while Poland’s hopes were dashed once again.
The atmosphere was electric from the walk-on, with nations entering to their respective anthems. The match itself started at a blistering pace, with both teams needing no more than 15 darts for any of the first four legs. Ireland took an early lead, with William O’Connor checking out two crucial 86s and Mickey Mansell adding a 96 to make it 4-1. After leading 5-2 at the break, O’Connor had a chance for 6-2, but two missed doubles allowed Poland to fight back. Krzysztof Ratajski hit a superb 112 finish to level the score at 5-5.
Sebastian Bialecki of Poland had shown strong scoring form but faltered decisively at 6-5 down, failing to clear 56 points. Mansell capitalised, taking out 52 for a crucial break. In the final leg, Ratajski had one last dart at double 16, but it was Mansell again who sealed the victory, converting an 87 finish.
Latvia Makes History with Dramatic Victory
In a match filled with tension, **Latvia’s Madars Razma and Valters Melderis secured a thrilling 8-7 victory over France’s Thibault Tricole and Nicolas Thuillier**. This hard-fought win marks a historic moment for the Baltic nation, as they advance to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time ever.
While the overall standard of play, with both teams averaging just under 80, remained modest, the drama was undeniable. Latvia clawed back from a 0-2 deficit to lead 4-2, aided by some missed opportunities from the French in both scoring and on the doubles. After the break, the game picked up. France fought back to 5-4, but then Razma and Melderis each hit a superb 110 finish to reclaim the lead at 6-5. A strong 15-dart break earned France the throw in the deciding leg. However, Latvia displayed better scoring in the crunch moments, and Madars Razma, arguably the standout player, delivered the final blow to seal their historic progression.
Wales Overcomes USA Challenge
Wales faced a tougher challenge than expected against the USA, but the reliable **Jonny Clayton stepped up when it mattered most**. With two incredible 141 finishes, Clayton paved the way for an 8-5 victory alongside partner Nick Kenny.
Kenny started slowly, allowing Stowe Buntz and Adam Sevada of the USA to capitalise on their checkout chances and level at 2-2. However, Kenny’s first 180 injection of pace, combined with Clayton’s first 141 checkout, gave Wales a crucial 4-2 break. An 80-checkout for 6-2 seemed to put them comfortably ahead, but a series of missed doubles from the Welsh duo allowed the USA to pull back to 6-5. Once again, it was Clayton who stamped his authority on the game, hitting his second 141 under immense pressure. He and Kenny then closed out the match in 15 darts to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.
Upcoming Matches: Evening Session Quarter-Finals
The World Cup of Darts 2026 Round of 16 will be completed with four more exciting encounters in the evening session:
- Northern Ireland (3) vs. Belgium
- Germany vs. Czech Republic
- England (1) vs. Spain
- Netherlands (2) vs. Sweden
Tournament Prize Money Breakdown
The total prize fund for the World Cup of Darts is £500,000, distributed as follows:
- Winners: £80,000 per player
- Runners-Up: £24,000 per player
- Semi-Finalists: £15,000 per player
- Quarter-Finalists: £10,000 per player
- Last 16: £5,000 per player
- Group Runners-Up: £3,000 per player
- Group Third Place: £2,500 per player
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
