Austria reach maiden World Cup of Darts semi-final after nail-biting pairs win over Northern Ireland

Austria have taken the first spot in tonight's World Cup of Darts semi-final after defeating Northern Ireland in a nail-biting pairs decider.

Mensur Suljovic and Rowby-John Rodriguez are well versed as a duo but had never made it to this point before and will now face England or Germany in the final.

Brendan Dolan was first up against Mensur Suljovic and he claimed it 4-3 to hand Northern Ireland the first point of the opening Quarter-Final.

It was a game of breaks of throw with four legs and four breaks of throw with a hold being potentially massive and it went all the way to a deciding leg as Suljovic went 20-D19-D20 with a 98 checkout.

But it was Dolan who struck first to hold and edge through 4-3 in the end and hand the onus onto Daryl Gurney to complete the feat.

He couldn't though as Rowby-John Rodriguez saved Austria's hopes with a superb 4-2 victory.

This featured a 99 average, four 180's and 50% on the doubles as he showed some of the form which has seen him regularly perform well all year on the ProTour.

As a result, it was sent all the way to a pairs decider. Suljovic broke to claim the opening leg on double eight but Gurney for Northern Ireland immediately responded for 1-1.

A crucial 76 checkout allowed parity at 2-2 before missed darts at doubles gave Suljovic and Austria an opportunity to go one away at 3-2. Dolan though kept his countries hopes in the balance as he broke back to force a decider.

More darting drama was en route as Suljovic and Rodriguez survived three match darts before sealing it to break new ground for Austria.

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