Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert have eased through for the Netherlands in their World Cup of Darts opener against Brazil.
Van Gerwen and Noppert were teaming for the first time against the Brazilian pairing of Diogo Portela who was rejoined by Bruno Rangel, who partnered with him in 2018. It was a 5-1 win though for the former team who are one of the favourites this weekend.
They started well with Van Gerwen hitting a 180 and Noppert finishing on double 18 to claim first blood and a break of throw at that. From there they went into a 2-0 lead with a 40 checkout after Brazil hit a 180 to pressure.
Rangel though next time around finished 70 to get them off the mark only for Van Gerwen with a flourish to take out 134 for a 3-1 lead and after a 144 was missed by Portela, it was soon 4-1 to the Netherlands. They concluded proceedings from there to set up a tie against Spain tomorrow.
Latvia were late call-ups to the World Cup of Darts after China had travel issues and they justified their place with a deciding leg win over Hong Kong.
A match where no country could hold their throw throughout, Madars Razma and Janis Mustafejevs triumphed after surviving a match dart against Kai Fan Leung and Royden Lam - with the latter not at his best.
It was an early lead for Hong Kong with a break of throw but it was an immediate break back for the Latvian who went on to make it 2-1. A 78 checkout saw Leung make it 2-2.
Lam couldn't finish 97 as his frustrating time on the oche continued but Razma couldn't clean up 16 and Leung produced double 10 to make it 3-2 with a break of throw.
They were relying on Leung to hit the big scores and Razma stole the throw with a 140 and they had six at 132. But Mustafejevs couldn't pin the bull for a 74 checkout, Razma was on hand though to make it 3-3 and break back immediately.
It was another though in the race to five as Lam left Leung 76 which he gratefully took to make it 4-3. Lam missed a dart at double 20 for a 113 checkout but an excellent 96 checkout from Mustafejevs saw it go all the way.
134 from Razma saw Latvia in control but Leung replied with a 140 to make it 202 each. Lam played his part with a 140 to leave Leung 62 for the match but he missed the opportunity and a brilliant 118 set up saw Latvia leave 24 which was pinned to conclude a brilliant win.
World Cup of Darts 2020 schedule
Friday 6 November
Evening session (18:00 GMT)
Sweden (82.92) 0-5 (91.65) Greece
Japan (75.08) 3-5 (80.45) Scotland
Poland (90.54) 5-0 (82.73) South Africa
Republic of Ireland (93.12) 2-5 (92.52) Australia
Wales (93.94) 5-0 (73.6) Russia
Germany (96.35) 5-0 (81.77) Finland
Netherlands (94) 5-1 (76.42) Brazil
Hong Kong (81.54) 4-5 (78.35) Latvia
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