"Don't think that was the expectation of, "You have to win, you can't lose.": Luke Humphries sees potential England World Cup of Darts win as bigger due to prior 'Dream Team' narrative

Luke Humphries has won the World Cup of Darts before but admits that in reality the pressure that is on the England team could lend itself to being bigger than the drought ender with Michael Smith.

Humphries and Littler took down Spain on Saturday night to book a Sunday spot at the World Cup of Darts and will now have the chance to go one better than last year after losing to Germany at this stage and while both know they need to be better, they spoke to the media including DartsNews.com and admitted that being in the hat is more important.

"It feels great. First and foremost, we just wanted to win tonight. Of course, everyone expects you to hit these massive averages, and we kind of expect that from ourselves as well, but today was simply about getting through the first game however we could and getting over the line," said Humphries.

"We weren't horrific, but we didn't play our best. I certainly didn't play my best. Luke was clinical in some important moments as well. The main thing is that we're in the hat for tomorrow. We know we can be better, and we know we'll need to be better if we want to win the title.

Littler spoke about getting over that hurdle and he admitted that he is glad to get over that first hurdle for the first time and that they can just develop from here.

"Yes, that's exactly what Luke said. He said we needed a test. Obviously, we had a test last year, but we weren't good enough. Like Luke said, if we'd won 8-0 or 8-1, it wouldn't really have been a test. He said he's glad we've had a test, and now tomorrow we can relax a bit more and just throw our darts."

"Coming into this year, I've never felt better. Last year, there were obviously a few nerves. Luke's been here and done it before. But our first game last year didn't go to plan. But our second game has gone to plan, and we can definitely build on it. Like I've said, we're not going to go up there to hit 110 averages, but if we do, we do. I think we're both glad we had a test today, and now we can try and get another win tomorrow."

A first win for England on that stage for Littler, and he is happy solely to have a chance to get better and return. "In my head, I'm just glad I can come back tomorrow. I can get back here, practice, and try to get better. I'm happy. Hopefully, we can sort a few things out and get even better as a team."

Humphries has, of course, won it before, and he said that it would be even bigger to seal it with Littler due to the pressure on them to succeed. "The first one was very special because it was to end the drought. But I think this one could maybe be even more special if because there's so much more pressure on us.

"I don't think there was that pressure on me and Michael Smith to win. People had us as favourites, but I don't think that was the expectation of, "You have to win, you can't lose." I think there is sometimes that added pressure on me and Luke.

"If we could win it this year, it would feel even more special because there's so much pressure. Me and Michael didn't start that great when we won it. In our first game against France, I think we averaged 89. We've averaged five points more. We're not going to come back tomorrow and be like we've not played well, we can't win. We'll be confident and really up for producing our best."

Littler doesn't see that they have to make many changes either in order to get better and that he has a simple modus operandi for hitting back when his opponents hit a big score.

"I don't think we need to practise anything different. We just practise the way we normally do. Back there I was throwing great, I was working on small checkouts on my own. I think we can get better. You've got to wait two or three throw before it's your turn again. If Luke hits a big score, I need to follow up. If the opponents hits a bad score, you've got to pounce on it."

Humphries added that there isn't too much you can do also in a pairs format to prepare yourself for it and that you have just do your own thing and hope it works. "The last time we played darts before this was Saturday. You just do your own thing, play as a team and work as a team. I think we've worked really well together."

Also asked about Littler was about his propensity for changing his throw when it isn't working for him, and he said that it is all about feeling and when it doesn't feel right, he opts to change. I've always said that if I go up on stage and I want to throw the way I normally throw and it's not working, I'll change it slightly. I was bringing the dart back with a slight pause. It's just how I feel. Maybe it's in my head, and maybe I just need to focus more. But at the end of the day, that's how I feel.