Luke Humphries joins illustrious list after win at World Cup of Darts

Luke Humphries was part of the winning English duo that captured the title in supreme fashion Sunday night at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. 'Cool Hand Luke' formed the England team with Michael Smith, and together they ensured England won the Nations tournament for the first time since 2016.

Prior to the tournament, the English were already considered the towering favorites for the title. With the numbers one and three in the world rankings, England had two absolute stars in the team. As one of the four top countries, England did not have to enter the group stage of the World Cup of Darts. Like Wales, the Netherlands and Scotland, the country was allowed to enter from the knockout stage. In the last sixteen, France was defeated 8-3. The game in that match was not scintillating, but on the final day of the tournament England was superior.

In the quarterfinals, Northern Ireland was defeated 8-4 thanks to an average of 98.73. The Scots could not shake Humphries and Smith in the semifinals either; that match was an 8-4 triumph for the English, who then threw 96.39 average. The English duo had saved their best game for last. With an average of 100.62, surprising Austria was swept aside 10-6 in the final.

For Smith, it was already his fifth attempt to win the World Cup of Darts for England. 'Bullyboy' only made it to the final once in the past, having to settle for second place with Rob Cross in 2020.

Humphries made his debut at this year's World Cup of Darts and thus managed to crown his debut with the title. The world number one is only the fourth player to immediately take the title on his debut at the World Cup of Darts. The first two were of course Raymond van Barneveld and Co Stompé, who won the first edition of the nations tournament in 2010. Adrian Lewis was also immediately successful in his first participation in the World Cup of Darts in 2012. 'Jackpot' then won the tournament with Phil Taylor. This duo would later also take the title at this tournament in 2013, 2015 and 2016. So after eight years, Taylor and Lewis have a new English successor.