Wales has made a sensational start to the 2026 WDF Europe Cup in Torshavn, absolutely dominating the group stages of both the Men’s and Women’s Team events. They finished top of their respective groups with the best averages in the entire competition, showcasing incredible form. While powerhouses like England, the Netherlands, and Scotland also advanced, the host nation, Faroe Islands, unfortunately saw their hopes end early despite a promising start.
Men’s Team Event: Wales Leads the Charge
The Teams events kicked off the 2026 WDF Europe Cup, and it was Wales who truly stole the show in the Open competition. They delivered an exceptional performance, winning all four of their Group H matches to finish top with the highest average of any team in the entire competition: an impressive 85.15.
David Davies, alongside teammates Liam Meek, Llew Bevan, and Mark Challenger, completed their group sweep with a dominant 9-0 win over Slovakia. This formidable Welsh squad, having won last year’s World Cup title, clearly has its sights set on adding the Europe Cup to their trophy cabinet. Hungary also successfully navigated Group H to secure their spot in the Last 16.
Close Calls and Host Nation Heartbreak
- Group A Drama: This group went right down to the wire. While the England team (Sean Holley, Lloyd Pennell, Jenson Walker, and Carl Wilkinson) had already secured their progression, the battle for second place was intense. It took the very last leg of the final match for Romania’s Adam Frim to pin the winning double, edging out Türkiye with a tight 9-8 scoreline.
- Faroe Islands’ Early Exit: The host nation, the Faroe Islands, faced disappointment despite a positive start. They finished third in Group A, missing out on the knockout stage, even after winning their opening match against Romania.
- Switzerland’s Decisive Win: Switzerland also needed a tense decider to progress. Alex Fehlmann hit double 10 to beat Catalonia 9-8 in their final group match, securing their campaign of three wins and a single loss, enough to join Scotland in advancing from Group F.
All Qualifiers for the Men’s Last 16
While some groups saw nail-biting finishes, many group winners progressed with relative ease, often finishing unbeaten or very close to it. The following teams have secured their places in the Last 16:
- Group Winners: England (Group A), Finland (Group B), Germany (Group C), Czechia (Group D), Netherlands (Group E), Scotland (Group F), Sweden (Group G), and Wales (Group H).
- Joining Them: Iceland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Norway, Romania, and Slovenia.
Women’s Team Event: Wales Continues to Dominate
The Welsh dominance wasn’t limited to the men’s competition; their women’s team also delivered an outstanding performance. They topped the Women’s standings by winning all four Group C matches, achieving the best average in the entire women’s competition at an impressive 69.48 – a figure well clear of the next best team.
Other Strong Performances and Struggles
- England’s Prowess: England’s women were similarly dominant in Group A, winning all three of their matches with a strong 63.33 average. Türkiye followed them through after a tight race with Italy for the second qualifying spot.
- Faroe Islands’ Continued Disappointment: The Faroe Islands’ women’s team unfortunately fared no better than their male counterparts, finishing bottom of Group F without recording a single win.
- Denmark’s Top Spot: Denmark topped Group F, though not without a scare. Slovenia actually posted a slightly higher average in their final meeting by a single point but ultimately lost 9-5. Denmark’s consistent performance across the round-robin stages proved enough to see them through alongside Slovenia, who finished second.
All Qualifiers for the Women’s Last 16
The following teams have advanced to the Last 16 of the Women’s Team event:
- Group Winners: England (Group A), Norway (Group B), Wales (Group C), Sweden (Group D), Netherlands (Group E), Denmark (Group F), Republic of Ireland (Group G), and Scotland (Group H).
- Joining Them: Finland, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Slovenia, Türkiye, France, and Czechia.
What’s Next: New Competitions Begin!
With both the Men’s and Women’s Team events now down to the Last 16, the excitement in Torshavn is set to continue. Action resumes today from 1 PM, with the commencement of the highly anticipated Open Pairs and Ladies Singles competitions. Expect more thrilling darts as players vie for individual and paired glory!
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
