Defending champions Wales knocked out of World Cup of Darts by Croatia

The defending World Cup of Darts champions, Wales have been knocked out of the 2024 edition by Croatia in the last 16!

Last year, Wales took their second World Cup of Darts title in three years, through Jonny Clayton and Gerwyn Price. This time around however, it was Jim Williams and Clayton, after Price was forced into withdrawing from the tournament due to health problems. Sadly for Williams, he couldn't fill in affectively and keep the Welsh's hold on the World Cup title going.

Up against the Croatian duo of Boris Krcmar and Romeo Grbavac, who'd impressed in the group stage, it was the Croatians who took a break lead in the third leg with a 52 finish. Although Wales posted a rebreak in the sixth leg, Krcmar and Grbavac managed to regain a break lead in the seventh leg. A 14-darter then made it 5-3 for Croatia.

Wales came in a little stronger after that, and a 14-darter in the 12th leg made it 6-6. Clayton and Williams should have taken over the lead after that, but five chances on the doubles were missed. Grbavac then dealt a tremendous thud to the Welsh duo by throwing out 84. With an 83 check-out in the 14th leg, Grbavac then pulled the trigger and ended the Welsh reign.