Eight Germans competed in the first round of this year’s Darts World Cup, more than ever before. After the first round there are five left – with different prospects.
Ricardo Pietreczko, Max Hopp, Martin Schindler, Gabriel Clemens and Arno Merk are the German participants in the 2nd round. Niko Springer, Lukas Wenig and most recently debutant Dominik Grüllich had to give up after their opening matches in the famous Alexandra Palace. For the debutants Wenig and Grüllich, the end was bitter, but not entirely surprising. Both of them were clearly nervous.
Springer exit the “biggest shock of the World Cup”
For Niko Springer, however, the defeat against the Australian Joe Comito came as a surprise. The 25-year-old jumper had previously been considered an insider tip and, alongside Martin Schindler, the most promising German participant. “This is the biggest shock of the World Cup for me“, said former Premier League winner Glen Durrant on British TV after the hopefuls’ 3-1 defeat.
Springer’s colleague Martin Schindler explained afterwards that as a young player Springer may have been thrown off course by the high media pressure and audience expectations. Springer himself did not want to give an interview after his departure.
Dave Chisnall (21) – Ricardo Pietreczko (33)
The duel between Dave “Chizzy” Chisnall and Ricardo “Pikachu” Pietreczko is, at least in terms of world rankings, the “top game” of the German pairings in the second round. The Englishman has been a permanent guest at the World Cup since 2012, reached the semi-finals in 2021 and the quarter-finals several times. In the first round he easily eliminated Fallon Sherrock 3-0. Pietreczko, who lost to Chisnall’s compatriot Aspinall in the round of 16 last year, is by no means without a chance against Chisnall. However, he will not be able to afford circulatory problems again, as he probably suffered due to hypoglycemia in the opening match against Jose de Sousa. The game will take place in the evening session on Saturday (December 20th).
Redeemed after his first round match – Ricardo Pietreczko
Luke Woodhouse (25th in the world rankings) – Max Hopp (93)
Max Hopp had not competed in a World Darts Championship for 1,822 days. During his comeback against the Englishman Martin Lukeman, the “Maximiser” didn’t notice his long absence. He made the 3-1 win very confidently and is therefore no longer as clear an outsider as one would have expected before the tournament against the Englishman Luke Woodhouse, who was definitely considered a strong candidate for the top spots. The game will be played in the afternoon session on Sunday (December 21st).
Max Hopp celebrates his victory in the first round match
Martin Schindler (13) – Keane Barry (55) / Tim Pusey (np)
Regardless of whether Martin Schindler ultimately meets the young Irishman Keane Barry or the Australian Tim Pusey with the nickname “The Magnet”, which is banned at the tournament – Germany’s top player will go into his second round match as the clear favorite. And that despite the fact that he had to give up early in the Ally Pally in recent years: he was eliminated in round one of his first three tournaments. He won one game each in 2023 and 2024 before losing his opening game again in 2025. Against Stephen Burton, Schindler looked very good at 3-1, only wobbled in the second set, but confidently won the following sets 3-0. The game takes place in the Sunday evening session.
Gabriel Clemens (47) – Wessel Nijman (31)
At least according to the betting providers, Gabriel Clemens is the biggest German underdog in the second round against the Dutchman Wessel Nijman. Even though the “German Giant” played his first round match confidently 3-0 against Alex Spellman and made it to the semi-finals three years ago, the young secret favorite Nijman is a different caliber. Should Clemens surprisingly assert himself, the next opponent would probably be a real giant again: If, as expected, Luke Humphries prevails against the 71-year-old tournament sensation Paul Lim, the 2024 world champion would be Clemens’ next opponent. But Nijman is waiting on Monday (December 22nd).
Gabriel Clemens celebrates his victory against the American Spellman
Peter Wright (30) – Arno Merk (163)
Former quarter-final participant Kim Huybrechts was astonished when he had to give up the first round against Arno Merk after a 3-1 defeat last Thursday. The 33-year-old German is now in the second round on his debut and will face probably the most colorful bird in the sport: Peter “Snakebite” Wright. The 55-year-old Scot became world champion in 2020 and 2022, was eliminated in the quarterfinals against Stephen Bunting last year and wants to make a new attempt at the title this year.
Wright was especially strong in the checkouts in his opening game against Noa-Lynn van Leuven. In terms of average points, Merk was even better with 89.73 than Wright with 83.51. Nevertheless, Merk is the clear outsider on the day before Christmas Eve – and if he succeeds in pulling off the sensation, he could prepare directly for the next one: The next opponent, assuming a “normal” tournament goes, would be the Dutch vice world champion Michael van Gerwen.