Wales and Germany start World Cup of Darts with wins

Wales began their quest for a third World Cup of Darts title with a convincing win over Lithuania, while hosts Germany made a confident start against Philippines.

Jonny Clayton and tournament newcomer Nick Kenny beat Darius Labanauskas and Mindaugas Barauskas 4-1 on the opening day of the tournament in Frankfurt.

The Welsh pair, who are having to go through group qualifying after Gerwyn Price withdrew, lost the opening leg at the Eissporthalle, but found their stride by winning the next four in the best-of-seven format.

They will join the top ranked nations - including England, Netherlands, Northern Ireland and Scotland - in the second round if they beat Thailand to top Group C on Friday.

Germany's Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko averaged 101.9 in their opening night win and the fifth seeds will advance through Group A with a Friday win over New Zealand.

Former champions Australia suffered a deciding-leg defeat, as American duo Adam Sevada and Stowe Buntz overcame Damon Heta and newcomer Adam Leek in Group G.

Two-time runners-up Austria made a winning start in Group I, as Mensur Suljovic and Rusty-Jake Rodriguez averaged 97 in a 4-1 win against China.

Both Poland and 2019 finalists Republic of Ireland enjoyed victories by the same 4-1 scoreline, Irish duo William O'Connor and Mickey Mansell beating Singapore, while Krzysztof Ratajski and Sebastian Bialecki powered past Portugal.

There were also opening night wins for last year's quarter-finalists Hong Kong and 2019 semi-finalists Japan, along with Czech Republic, Latvia, Norway and Sweden.

Twice-winner Clayton showed his experience to produce a finishing masterclass in the Eissporthalle, following up a 146 checkout in leg four with a double-double 100 finish to seal the the victory

The former plasterer from Carmarthen won the World Cup with Price in 2020 and 2023, while they were also beaten finalists last year against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney.

The Welsh pair had been due to line up together again this year until Price made himself unavailable in order to spend more time with his family amid darts' hectic schedule.

It paved the way for Kenny - currently ranked 62nd in the PDC order of merit - to make his debut.

Group H

Czechia 4-0 India

Group K

Japan 4-3 Croatia

Group L

Norway 4-3 Finland

Group D

Republic of Ireland 4-1 Singapore

Group E

Poland 4-1 Portugal

Group F

Sweden 4-2 South Africa

Group J

Latvia 4-2 Italy

Group B

Hong Kong 4-2 Belgium

Group A

Germany 4-0 Philippines

Group C

Wales 4-1 Lithuania

Group I

Austria 4-1 China

Group G

USA 4-3 Australia