"I did what Gerwyn Price always does, go on Instagram, have a bit of a moan" - Luke Littler says German crowd drama was overblown

Luke Littler is looking to write another chapter in his meteoric rise this weekend, as he prepares to represent England for the first time at the World Cup of Darts. The 18-year-old prodigy will partner world number one Luke Humphries in Frankfurt, where the pair will aim to secure England’s sixth title win at the prestigious pairs event.

Littler comes into the tournament off the back of a remarkable debut Premier League campaign, which ended in defeat to Humphries in last month’s final at the O2 Arena. Now, the teenager is relishing the chance to wear the England shirt on the world stage. "I've not spoke to anyone about putting the shirt on for your country, but I am sure it is one of the best feelings you'll ever have. I'm sure me and Luke are ready for it," Littler says in conversation with Sky Sports.
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Humphries, who lifted the trophy last year alongside Michael Smith, now returns as the top-ranked player in the world. With Littler by his side, England enter this year’s tournament as firm favourites.

Despite his extraordinary form over the past year, Littler admits he’ll need to overcome one lingering obstacle: his patchy record at tournaments in Germany.

His struggles began last September, when he let a 5-2 lead slip in the final of the German Darts Championship against Peter Wright. More recently, he endured a frustrating night in Berlin during the Premier League and failed to impress at April’s German Darts Grand Prix in Munich.

In the aftermath, Littler even hinted on social media that he might start skipping events in Germany — though he later walked back the comment.

"The only bad one last year was Hildesheim against Peter Wright. I think I was 5-2 up, lost 8-5 and obviously as soon as you're beating the home favourite, as everyone likes to call it, that is when they don't start to like you," Littler explains. "I wouldn't say it's upset me but I would say I was obviously a bit angry. I wouldn't say (during) Premier League. The biggest one is Germany, but I did what Gerwyn Price always does, go on Instagram, have a bit of a moan and take it down half an hour later."

Now, Littler hopes a strong showing with Humphries in Frankfurt can help banish those frustrations — and maybe even make him reconsider darts’ place on the global sporting stage.

"Yeah, there was a lot of talk last year on the Olympics and for myself, I don't have a clue," Littler admitted. "Would it be good? Would it be bad? I'm not really an Olympics person, so I won't sit there and watch it. I don't know if it would be good or bad for darts. I am not sure if it would fit in as much."

While England lead the betting, there’s no shortage of belief among the chasing pack. Host nation Germany are quietly confident of springing a surprise, with Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko forming a dangerous pairing.

"It's a pairs tournament; you are not really prepared for that playing at the highest level mostly playing for ourselves and never as a team," Schindler said tells Sky Sports. "You have to get used to it, but I said that last year as well about Humphries and Smith, and they obviously won it. Littler and Humphries are very strong, but they are not unbeatable."

Northern Ireland are another side to watch. Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney have received a bye into the second round and are dreaming of a deep run.

"It would mean the absolute world to me and Daryl," adds Northern Irish number one Rock. "Northern Ireland hasn't really won much, in anything, so lifting that trophy would be fantastic."

With a pairing of the world number one and the world champion, England head to the 2025 World Cup of Darts with what is, on paper at least, one of the most formidable pairings in the history of the tournament. Two players who, despite their short history together, already seem to understand each other both on and off the oche.

As explained already though, they might not have things all their own way.