2018 Betway World Cup: Top Five Moments

Huybrechts (Kelly Deckers, PDC)

THE 2018 Betway World Cup of Darts was arguably the best staging of the event since its inception in 2010, culminating in a fourth title for the Netherlands.

Here we take a look back at the top five moments from the memorable tournament at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.

5. Spain's 136 saves the day

Spain famously conquered England in the first ever World Cup in 2010, but Cristo Reyes and Toni Alcinas were facing an early exit this year as they trailed Russia 4-3 in the opening game of the tournament.

Having held throw to take the tie to a crucial deciding leg, Alcinas stepped up to the oche requiring 136 with the Russians waiting on a finish…

4. Northern Ireland back from the brink

Northern Ireland’s Daryl Gurney and Brendan Dolan were dumped out in the first round of last year’s event by hosts Germany, and they faced a similar fate this time around as they trailed Poland 4-2.

The Northern Irishmen dug deep to send the match to a deciding leg, and, with Poland waiting to pounce on 85, Gurney knew the 101 had to go to avoid another disappointing opening round exit…

3. Belgium celebrate in style

Dancing Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts lit up this year’s World Cup, but it was close to being all over for the passionate pair in another first round thriller.

The Republic of Ireland’s William O’Connor narrowly missed what would’ve been an incredible 170 finish, before Huybrechts got the job done for Belgium, sparking jubilant scenes on the Eissporthalle stage…

2. Schindler falls short with 110 average

Exciting young German pair Max Hopp and Martin Schindler were desperate to beat reigning champions the Netherlands in front of a passionate home crowd in the quarter-finals.

Schindler faced world number one Michael van Gerwen in the opening game of the tie, and produced a stunning 110 average, but even that wasn’t enough to stop the sublime Dutchman…

1. Dutch duo make the perfect pair

Van Barneveld was beaten 4-1 by Gary Anderson to level the final up at one game apiece, but the five-time World Champion bounced back in style alongside Van Gerwen in the Pairs game.

The Dutchmen proved they are the perfect pair as they posted an impressive 100.69 average to defeat Anderson and Peter Wright and seize the advantage in a final they would go on to win…