GERMANY dumped sixth seeds Northern Ireland out of the Betway World Cup of Darts for a second consecutive year as they came from behind to record a famous 2-1 win in front of a passionate home crowd in Frankfurt.

BELGIUM produced an incredible fightback to beat the Republic of Ireland 5-4 in one of the greatest ever Betway World Cup of Darts matches in Frankfurt.

BETWAY World Cup of Darts stars Michael van Gerwen, Rob Cross and Daryl Gurney have been taken out of their comfort zone.

JAPAN stole the show on the opening night of the Betway World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt.

JOHN PART is relishing the chance to represent Canada for an eighth successive time at the 2018 Betway World Cup.

THE 2018 Betway World Cup of Darts begins on Thursday at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has prepared for his Betway World Cup of Darts title defence by playing darts with the Dutch football team.

THE schedule of play for the 2018 Betway World Cup of Darts has been confirmed.

THE NETHERLANDS will begin their defence of the Betway World Cup of Darts title against Gibraltar in Frankfurt.

SCOTLAND will be the number one seeds for the 2018 Betway World Cup of Darts following the confirmation of the 32 teams.