Is Luke Littler and Luke Humphries' friendship all a facade? Inside England stars' World Cup of Darts disaster
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
NOT SINCE the pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard at the 2006 World Cup had two Englishmen fail to click and proven so uncoordinated on German soil.
Luke Humphries and Luke Littler arrived in Frankfurt as the top two players in the world and red-hot favourites for the PDC World Cup of Darts.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
8
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries early exit at the Darts World Cup emulated the fails of England's Golden Generation
Credit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsDarts
8
Littler and Humphries lost 8-4 to hosts Germany in their first match
8
Fans joked that Littler and Humphries were 'like Gerrard and Lampard'
Expectations were so high that they would be victorious that Phil Taylor was saying they should be given the trophy before a dart was even thrown in anger.
But World Cups can cause all manner of surprises and discombobulating displays – as England's Golden Generation found to their cost 19 years ago.
Gerrard and Lampard were among the best midfielders of their era, goal-scoring machines for Liverpool and Chelsea.
Yet despite their god-given talents, it never really worked for them in tandem when they donned a Three Lions shirt.
Humphries and Littler are the best darts players of this era but they were crushed in their opening game by the Germans.
So, why didn't it work? Why did it go so spectacularly wrong?
Well, underdogs Martin 'The Wall' Schindler and Ricardo 'Pikachu' Pietreczko rose to the challenge superbly, winning their second-round tie 8-4 on Saturday evening.
There is history between the two Lukes and pesky Pietreczko – Littler clashed with him at last year's Belgian Darts Open, and Humphries gave it back to German fans at Ally Pally after he eliminated the Berlin-born star.
8
The two Lukes can be compared to Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
The hostility that greeted the English duo when they walked out was unusual for darts – so, do not underestimate the impact that had on the No.1 seeds.
The noise was ear-splitting and we all know Littler has little time for Deutschland fans.
Luke Littler and Luke Humphries BOOED by German crowd on day they got their MBEs but fans love their 's---house' walk-on
Twice before, in Berlin and Munich, Littler had been left unhappy with the reception he got from punters.
The previous time it had happened over Easter, he wrote on Instagram he was glad he would not be back in the country until Dortmund in October, seemingly forgetting all about the World Cup in June.
He might be the world champion and a global icon but we forget that Littler is still only 18.
The Nuke stormed off stage, albeit after shaking hands, and just like when he lost the Premier League Final to Cool Hand Luke, he shows his emotions whenever things go against him.
8
Humphries struggled to produce his best form
8
Teenage sensation Littler was out of sorts
Credit: Getty
But as NFL legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said: Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser.
Parallels could be made with another England midfielder, Jude Bellingham, who is a stellar talent but is prone to outbursts and temper tantrums in difficult moments.
Littler is not yet in that same league but this is a huge setback in his career – his first senior England appearance ending amid a cacophony of boos and regrets.
It was so deflating that, the day after they had been recognised in the King's Honours List, Sky Sports pundit Wayne Marde joked: 'How quickly can MBEs be taken away?'
What was telling was the observation made by Gerwyn Price, whose Wales side lost 10-9 to Northern Ireland in the final.
In one of the revealing interviews this year, the Iceman claimed 'rubbish' England lacked 'a connection' and had no 'camaraderie off the stage'.
He said: 'When all the teams first turned up on the first day, the only two players who didn't turn up together, didn't sit together, didn't play as a team.
'You need to turn up together. You need to be as a team. You practice together, you sit together, it's a team ethic.
'It didn't show with England and it showed on the board. They are great players individually. But you need to be a team.'
8
Gerwyn Price revealed shock details about Littler and Humphries disconnection
Credit: Getty
World No.1 Humphries and reigning world champion Littler are always so polite and respectful on stage, fist-bumping each other's high checkouts.
But is it all a facade? Are they really as compatible off the oche as they make out? Can they ever put aside their fierce rivalry for this team format?
Humphries is 12 years older than Littler and is like a big brother but if Price is right, they will have to work on their connection in a team situation.
They came over to Germany as the bookies' front-runners but were gone after 12 legs.
At least Gerrard and Lampard managed four games together at the 2006 World Cup before their quarter-final exit.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
41 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's best sports bar named with snooker, pool, darts and live football every week
Whether you're looking for a good meal with family or a fun night out with friends, you're guaranteed to have a great time RIGHT ON CUE Scotland's best sports bar named with snooker, pool, darts and live football every week Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE BEST sports bar in Scotland has been named - and it has darts, a snooker table, a pool table, and shows live football every week. The bustling bar in Glasgow is loved by locals and sports stars alike, and it scooped a top award at a prestigious awards ceremony. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The Q Club in Glasgow scooped Best Sports Bar Credit: GOOGLE MAPS 3 As well as showing live football it also has snooker, pool and darts Credit: Getty The Q Club is located on St George's Road, in the heart of the city centre, and offers a little bit of something for every sports fan. And it won Best Sports Bar at the prestigious Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025, which recognise and celebrate the best of the industry from around the country. It is an annual event that highlights the very best in hotels, restaurants, bars, spas, and other sectors. This year, the winners were announced at an elegant ceremony that was held at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on Wednesday. And The Q Club impressed judges with its incredible range of sports on offer as well as its delicious food and drinks. Whether you're looking for a good meal with family or a fun night out with friends, you're guaranteed to have a great time. Bosses at The Q Club shared the news of the award on social media this week. The post on Facebook read: "Best Sports Bar 2025 Award. "This would not be possible without all the staff and members, we can't thank you enough". Loyal followers flocked to the comments to congratulate the team on the huge win. I tried restaurant crowned best in Scotland - it was full of surprises One person said: "Well done from a great team of staff thoroughly deserved". Another added: "Congrats to all". Someone else wrote: "Brilliant!!! Well deserved!!!" While a fourth posted: "Congratulations everyone involved". And a fifth chimed in: "Well done and congratulations to everyone". Irfan Younis, spokesperson for The 8th Scottish Hospitality Awards 2025, prasied all of the winners at the event this week. They said: 'We're proud to once again get to showcase the remarkable talent and exceptional standards within Scotland's vibrant hospitality industry. "The people shortlisted for these awards have consistently demonstrated excellence, innovation, and dedication in their respective categories, setting the benchmark for quality and service within the Scottish hospitality industry. "We want to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.'
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
How record Florian Wirtz transfer could spark £400m Liverpool overhaul as Arne Slot plots Feyenoord-style transformation
Title-winning boss might bring in string of other big buys Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ARNE SLOT spent just £10million last summer on Juventus playmaker Federico Chiesa. But the Liverpool boss — fresh from winning the Premier League title in his debut season — is on a £200m-plus transfer blitz to make sure the Reds blast out of the blocks from day one of pre-season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Florian Wirtz's £116.5m arrival could be just the start Credit: PA 6 Arne Slot is prepared for several ins and outs Credit: AFP German sensation Florian Wirtz, 22, is the marquee signing for a British-record £116.5m and joins his old Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Jeremie Frimpong — who cost £29.5m — at Anfield. 6 Liverpool fancy Newcastle duo Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon Credit: Reuters Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is next to make the move to Merseyside after a £40m deal was agreed yesterday, while Valencia's £30m keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili joins on July 1. Slot is also keen on Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, while Newcastle pair Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon remain targets in a flurry of summer transfer activity that could see the Kop boss spend another £200m. While rivals Manchester City and Chelsea exert themselves in the sweltering heat of the Club World Cup — which runs until July 13 in the USA — Liverpool are primed to turn up the pressure in the title race when they kick-off the season against Bournemouth on August 15. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS RED HOT Brighton want Harvey Elliott and have secret weapon to use in transfer race Playmaker Wirtz is the headline act in Slot's revolution — one the Dutchman has been plotting over the last 12 months. Slot, 46, paid tribute to predecessor Jurgen Klopp when he lifted a record-equalling 20th league title in front of an adoring Kop back in May. But the former Feyenoord boss clearly felt he inherited a squad that needed a complete makeover in tactics and personnel. Slot saved his money and waited while winning the hearts and minds of a doubting red half of Merseyside — as well as players, who were unsure of what would come next. 6 The Liverpool new boy had 22 goal involvements in 31 Bundesliga games last term BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK At the same time he was identifying who he wanted — and who he didn't. Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Jarrel Quansah — almost certain to leave for Leverkusen — Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez could all be out this summer. Brighton Eye £40m Harvey Elliott from Liverpool Of course, Slot had been here before. After his first season in charge of Feyenoord, in 2021-22, he instigated massive changes. He moved on 16 players, including £12.9m Tyrell Malacia to Manchester United and Luis Sinisterra, who was sold to Leeds for £25m, while 11 were either let go or sent out on loan. Meanwhile, for around £35m — far less than the mammoth budget he is now armed with — 15 were brought in. Slot lifted the Eredivisie title in 2023 and the Dutch Cup last year before making his way to Anfield. And changes were made as he got his feet under the table, although none of them suggested how seismic they would become. Klopp's 'heavy metal football' morphed into far more controlled and muted melodies, the beat about possession, not frantic assault. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister went to double-bass, the pair redeployed from attacking roles to holding midfielders. Trent Alexander-Arnold no longer busked away from his right-back spot so often, Nunez was made a third string, Dominik Szoboszlai moved into a more free–flowing, attacking role, much of it to enable Mo Salah to play all that jazz and become the Football Writers' Association and Prem Player of the Year. Slot got the band playing to a more sophisticated rhythm and turned them into a No 1 hit. The campaign morphed into what seemed a perfect symphony but as Liverpool's summer splurge shows, with Wirtz coming in as the conductor of a new orchestra, it was really only the opening overture. Now comes what Slot will hope will be the creation of his very own work of art, led by 5ft 10in Wirtz, who many believe is becoming one of the great maestros of the game. 6 Jeremie Frimpong has also come in from Bayer Leverkusen Credit: Getty 6 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Javier Garcia/Shutterstock (15304351bg) Marc Gu¿hi of Crystal Palace with an eye injury during the post […] Credit: Shutterstock Editorial He arrives as a generational talent who not only creates but scores — 44 goal contributions across the last two Bundesliga campaigns, including 21 goals and a league-high of 23 assists. Wirtz's figures are the second most of any player aged under 23 in Europe's top-five leagues, just behind Chelsea's Cole Palmer. Last season, for the second in a row, he was one of just six players to reach double figures for goals and assists in Europe's big-five leagues. Wirtz is his own one–man band. He is almost faultless with both feet and waltzes past defenders because he is so difficult to predict. Over the last two years he attempted a Bundesliga-high of 313 take-ons. And just Barcelona's Lamine Yamal (231), West Ham's Mohammed Kudus (216) and Manchester City's Jeremy Doku (203) completed more than his 161 dribbles in that same time frame in Europe's top five leagues. Wirtz created 124 chances from open play in that period, a figure bettered only by Salah (150), Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard (139), Manchester United's captain Bruno Fernandes (137) and Chelsea's Palmer (134). These mighty statistics suggest the playmaker ranked first in the Bundesliga for through balls (49) and completed lay-off passes (123) last season will be a sensation under Slot as he continues his makeover
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
SPFL club forced to cancel friendly against Scottish Premiership side due to stadium repairs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO SPFL clubs have had to rejig their pre-season plans after a scheduled friendly between both clubs was cancelled this week. Morton were due to host St Mirren in a non-competitive clash on Tuesday, July 8, with both teams looking to step up their preparations for the Premier Sports Cup which gets underway just a few days later. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The roof at the famous 'cowshed' still neds repaired Credit: Kenny Ramsay The game was set to be held at Morton's home stadium Cappielow Park, but it's no longer allowed to go ahead due to repairs to the 'Cowshed' roof after it suffered damage from Storm Eowyn in January. Several corrugated iron panels on the roof had blown off as the West coast of Scotland was hit by gale force winds. Morton have still yet to fix the damage but the club tonight confirmed that repair work will begin next week. However, the friendly cannot be played while the construction takes place. A statement from the Scottish Championship club read: "The club are pleased to confirm that the long-awaited works to repair the Cowshed Roof begin on Monday. "It is expected that works will continue throughout most of July and be completed by the start of the William Hill Championship season when we welcome Dunfermline to Cappielow on 2nd August. "Following discussions with our contractor, the pre-season match scheduled against St Mirren on Tuesday 8th July has now been cancelled. "We confirm the Premier Sports Cup tie versus Stenhousemuir, due to be played at Cappielow on 15th July, will go ahead but without supporters in the Cowshed. "We will provide an update on that in due course. "We thank supporters in advance for their understanding on this matter, and look forward to having the Cowshed back in full working order for the 2025/26 William Hill Championship campaign." A statement from St Mirren said: 'Morton have today informed us that they will no longer be able to host the planned Communities Cup friendly match at Cappielow on Tuesday 8th July. 'With the match now cancelled, the club is looking at alternative options to aid our preparations for the Premier Sports Cup group stages and will update when possible.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
