UK Darts Issue 15 - June 2014 | Page 16

bwin PDC World Cup Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig The bwin World Cup of Darts returned to the Sporthalle in Hamburg, Germany for a third consecutive year on 6th June, with a record breaking 32 teams aiming to be crowned as the 2014 champions. There was representation from four continents, with a number of top Asian soft-tip stars once again joining the steel-tip stars for three days of non-stop darting action. A number of the lesser European nations also sent their best over and they were joined by representatives from North America too. Super Dutch Triumph In Hamburg When all was said and done however it was the established nations of The Netherlands and England that remained to contest the final. The final that many had predicted and had expected to be close turned out to be anything but, but the excitement was there none the less as the Dutch regained the title that they had first won back in 2010. First Round The pairs only format used in the first round served to throw up some great encounters. Most of the top seeds made it safely through without really breaking sweat. England (Phil Taylor & Adrian Lewis) defeated Thailand 5-0 as they laid down a marker to the rest of the field. “We’re coming up on stage nice and relaxed, but we’re trying our socks Photo: PDC/Lawrence Lustig