World Cup of Darts 2023 | Day Three Preview and Order of Play
The Netherlands launch their quest for a record-breaking fifth World Cup of Darts title in a mouth-watering tie against Belgium on Saturday.
Fellow top-four seeds England, Wales and Scotland also enter the fray in the second round, as the knockout stages commence at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.
Dutch preparations were hampered following the withdrawal of Michael van Gerwen, who had not recovered sufficiently following a pre-planned dental operation earlier this week.
Dirk van Duijvenbode and Danny Noppert subsequently line up alongside each other for the second year running, and will look to land their nation’s first title since 2018.
The Netherlands’ only previous failure to progress beyond the last 16 came in 2013 – the year opponents Belgium reached the final.
Despite not boasting the strongest team spirit due to ongoing issues behind the scenes, Dimitri Van den Bergh and Kim Huybrechts have shown no signs of that affecting their performance levels having progressed through Group A with victories over Finland and China.
Elsewhere, Michael Smith and Rob Cross commence England’s bid for a fifth triumph against Latvia’s Madars Razma and Dmitrijs Zukovs. The nations are facing off at this stage for the second year running, with Smith and Razma featuring as the English prevailed 3-1.
The Latvians will subsequently be seeking their revenge as they target a first quarter-final appearance.
Meanwhile, 2020 winners Wales are looking to secure their sixth voyage into the last eight in seven years. But Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton face a tough test in Denmark, who knocked out Mensur Suljovic’s Austria in the group stage.
Two-time champions Scotland also face a potential banana skin in the Philippines, who have tripled their total of World Cup victories in dropping just two legs while overcoming Paul Lim’s Singapore and the Czech Republic.
Reigning champions Australia resume their title defence against Croatia, Damon Heta and Simon Whitlock looking to continue their strong start having reeled off eight legs without reply.
Hosts Germany are also yet to drop a leg. But Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler are likely to have their work cut out against an inspired Poland, who are fresh from their record-breaking team average of 118.1 against Lithuania on Friday.
The Poles – consisting of Krzysztof Ratajski and Krzysztof Kciuk – are eyeing their first quarter-final, as are Sweden when they take on Canada, while Devon Petersen’s South Africa play France, who stunned Northern Ireland’s Brendan Dolan and Daryl Gurney in round one.
Play gets underway at 12pm BST, with all matches contested over the best of 15 legs at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.
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World Cup of Darts 2023 Day Three Schedule
Saturday June 17
Second Round
12pm-4pm
France v South Africa
Sweden v Canada
Australia v Croatia
Scotland v Philippines
6pm-10pm
Wales v Denmark
England v Latvia
Netherlands v Belgium
Poland v Germany
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