29/06/2024

Italy stun former champions Australia as Scotland breeze past Poland at World Cup of Darts

Scotland cleared an upfront stiff hurdle in the second round of the World Cup of Darts quite easily. The duo of Peter Wright and Gary Anderson was far too strong for Poland, 8-2.

It was one of the pressing questions prior to the tournament. How good would Scotland be at the World Cup of Darts, and has Wright already regained some of his old form. Sparkling it certainly wasn't, but with an average of 89 and a 47 percent finish percentage, it was just a steady first performance from the former world champions.

The match quickly went Scotland's way. Poland missed two chances at the double in the first leg before Wright took his country to 1-0 via double 20. The Polish duo was then broken with a 14-darter, before Scotland ran out to a 5-0 lead with a 68 finish and two 14-darters.

Wright missed one chance at double 16 to make it 6-0, then Szaganski managed to secure the first Polish leg with a 74 finish. Two 18-darters later put Scotland up 7-2. Anderson then secured a spot in the quarterfinals by notching a 74 checkout.

Tournament centre World Cup of Darts 2024: Schedule, all results, teams, TV Guide and prize money breakdown

Italy then provided the first surprise of this round at the World Cup of Darts. Massimo Dalla Rosa and Michele Turetta won 8-7 over former tournament winner Australian after a thriller.

The Italians were ahead for almost the entire match against Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta, but seemed to give it away at the end. The Australians were broken as early as the second leg, and a 20-darter then made it 3-0 for Turetta and Dalla Rosa. This was followed by five breaks in quick succession, before Australia equalized again in the tenth leg.

A chance for Australia to take the lead came in the 13th leg, but first Heta missed two doubles and then Whitlock also left two break chances unused. Italy then reached 7-6 via double 1 before the Australian duo forced a final leg.

Italy was allowed to start the last leg, but did not do well with scores of 59 and 45. Whitlock opened with a 180 score and moments later Heta was allowed to dock for the win. The Heat got three matchdarts, but missed them all. Turetta then failed to throw out 44, giving Whitlock three matchdars as well. 'The Wizard' was also unable to cash in on them, followed by Italy's second matchdart.