"There's probably going to be an issue" for Luke Humphries & Michael Smith at World Cup of Darts believes Germany's Martin Schindler

On Thursday, June 27th, the 2024 World Cup of Darts gets underway in Frankfurt, Germany. One of those representing the home nation at this year's edition of the international pairs tournament, will be Martin Schindler.

Despite Schindler and compatriot Gabriel Clemens forming one of the dark horses for the tournament, Germany won't start the World Cup as one of the four nations with protected status. Instead, that honour goes to defending champions Wales (Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton), England (Michael Smith and Luke Humphries), Netherlands (Michael van Gerwen and Danny Noppert), plus Scotland (Peter Wright and Gary Anderson). As such, Schindler is very wary of the competition.

"I would that Wales is probably the hardest one to beat," Schindler, who'll be competing at the World Cup of Darts for the sixth time in his career, previews in conversation with Emma Paton for the Sky Sports Love the Darts podcast. "Gerwyn and Jonny always get along with each other so well and they play such good darts together in this tournament, winning it a couple of times now."

"I think Luke and Michael are playing together for the first time," Schindler continues, casting an eye towards the World Darts Championship winning duo of the English team. "There's probably going to be an issue. Maybe they will work well together and win it, they are both great individual players... But you have to bring it as a couple and this is what's going to be the exciting thing about it."

"The Netherlands is also one of the best. So one of these three nations are probably the hardest to beat," Schindler concludes, making a notable omission. "I don't think Scotland will be as good as they were last year. Obviously, Peter Wright is not really there at the moment and it's a thing everybody is realising. But, it's Peter Wright, a two-time world champion and he can easily get back to his form."