"Even if Gerwyn would have played, we would have a chance to win" - Confident Germany demand to be taken seriously as World Cup contender following opening win

Host nation Germany got off to a winning start at the 2024 World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt on Friday night. In their first group game, Martin Schindler and Gabriel Clemens survived a scare to triumph 4-3 over New Zealand.

Against New Zealand pairing, Ben Robb and Haupai Puha, the Kiwis overturned a 2-1 deficit to go into a 3-2 lead with a 15 darter on double eight. But dramatically Germany had a skin saver with a 124 checkout on the bull averting a shock loss. Puha and Robb were sat ready on 42 with a 137 set up shot and Frankfurt breathed a sigh of relief.

"I feel really really good. It was a tough game, New Zealand played really well and we played not so good," reflected a relieved Clemens in his the post match press conference. "In the decider, New Zealand were on 42 after 12 darts, that's not bad for a doubles game! I go to the oche, I see have 124 and I must make it... I made it."

Whilst Clemens may have been the hero on this occasion, German number one and team captain Martin Schindler is the man most in form coming into the tournament. "I'm not playing on my own and I'm probably also not the captain of our team. It's just like we are playing together, so we are winning together or we are losing together," he explains of the dynamic between himself and Clemens. "I'm trying my best if I'm at the oche and so is he. And yeah, we're looking forward to playing our best and hopefully to go as far as we can."

With the home crowd advantage on their side, many view the Germans as a potential dark horse to lift the title this year, with their chances boosted further by defending champions Wales losing Gerwyn Price on the eve of the tournament. "Of course there's a difference when Gerwyn is not playing for Wales. But I think, especially after all these years, after all these experiences, even if Gerwyn would have played, we would have a chance to win against them," Schindler declares confidently. "It's not about the opponent. Our biggest enemy, our biggest opponent I think, is ourselves."

The tournament will be broadcast in the United Kingdom by Sky Sports. Through this channel, you won't have to miss a minute of the tournament.

On Thursday, June 27 at 6 p.m. the tournament will start with the first group matches. On Friday afternoon at 11:00, the second set of group matches will get underway. The evening session then begins again at 6 p.m., when the final matches of the group stage will be played.

The first four duels of the second round will be played from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29. The quarterfinals will take place on Sunday, June 30, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The World Cup of Darts semifinals and final are scheduled for Sunday evening from 6:00 p.m. On Saturday night, June 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the last four matches of the second round will be played.