Luke Littler has Luke Humphries backing as English stars target glory in Germany
Littler had previously claimed in April he would skip tournaments in Germany after being booed in Munich and Berlin that month, having faced similar treatment in September following defeat by Peter Wright in the German Championship final in Hildesheim.
Defending champions England have been unveiled as the 4/11 pre-tournament favourites for the @BetVictor World Cup of Darts ahead of the annual 40-nation event.
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) June 4, 2025
But Premier League champion Humphries, who clinched World Cup success with Michael Smith last June, said: 'It's just about not getting involved in the crowd isn't it?
'We've just got to make sure that if they're on his back, I'll be there to say, 'don't worry about what they're doing, focus on your game' and if we play against Germany that's going to be hard but I think he'll learn from the occasions of playing against crowds that are hostile.
'I've been there, I've had it a little bit before and you just have to focus on the game and not worry about what is going on behind you.'
Even though Littler has struggled with German crowds, Humphries plans to send the 18-year-old out to throw first when they begin their campaign in the second round on Saturday.
'I will probably put him first,' Humphries revealed.
'He is definitely the best scorer in the world. That's not a lie, it's obvious. So, you're going to put your strengths forward. You put him first, he is probably better at going for the bullseye than I am, getting the throws.
A post shared by Luke TheNuke Littler (@lukethenukelittler)
'Yeah, only if he's comfortable with it. If not, I'll go first but I played the anchor role last year.
'I felt really good going second, so maybe that is my role for this year as well.'
Victory for Humphries and Smith at Eissporthalle last summer was England's first World Cup win since 2016.
It ensured Humphries enjoyed a triumphant World Cup debut and he is sure Littler will experience the same.
Humphries added: 'As you saw when we won, the emotion that comes out of you, you don't expect it but it does because you're just so buzzing.
'It's really special and he will understand. He may even feel a little bit nervous at the start, or for the first game we play because all eyes are on us, everyone will be expecting us to be powerful every game we play.
'But I did say to him, it doesn't matter how we play as long as we win the trophy, that's what really matters. It will be a special feeling for him, as it was for me.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
41 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Matt Bloomfield believes it was about time Luton had some luck
Back-to-back relegations had left the Hatters – who were a Premier League side 15 months ago – playing in the third tier for the first time since 2019 but after dropping out of the Championship in May their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Dons defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and in off the crossbar with five minutes to play. It was cruel on Wimbledon who had limited the hosts to a single shot on target until that point as they coped admirably with the step up after winning the League Two play-off final. Bloomfield, who took over in January but despite a strong finish to the campaign was unable to save the team from the drop, was asked whether he felt his side deserved their late good fortune. 'Yes,' he said. 'We feel like there's certain things that have gone against us over the last period of time. 'One thing you can't do is whine about it. All you can do is get on with your work, and you have to be grateful when the gods shine on you and give you a little bit of fortune. 'There were only two teams in the last 10 league games (last season) that got more points than us – Burnley and Leeds. 'But after being relegated you can't expect that everything's going to be looked on smoothly with sunshine and smiles.' Prior to the late winner, defender Reuell Walters had had Luton's only attempt on target in the 63rd minute, drawing an excellent save from Bishop with a half-volley struck from range. 'Relived and pleased to get the win,' added Bloomfield. 'Pleased with elements of the performance – the togetherness, the unity within the group. 'Frustration that we didn't create more clearcut opportunities and look more threatening. But pleased to get off to a winning start. 'We can't expect to click our fingers and get to the final product overnight. There's been a definite change of identity which we saw on show tonight. 'We're an evolving group, we're a new group. Now it's about getting better every week and keep working to where we want to get to.' Dons boss Johnnie Jackson, whose team were playing in the third tier for the first time since 2022, said: 'I'm gutted for my players and supporters. To lose the game in that manner was cruel. 'It's a fortunate goal from their point of view. They made us defend that situation, caught us in that position but that rarely happened to my team all night. I thought we defended brilliantly. 'To lose it on an own goal on the side of the bar is a hard one to take.'
South Wales Argus
41 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Matt Bloomfield believes it was about time Luton had some luck
Back-to-back relegations had left the Hatters – who were a Premier League side 15 months ago – playing in the third tier for the first time since 2019 but after dropping out of the Championship in May their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Dons defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and in off the crossbar with five minutes to play. It was cruel on Wimbledon who had limited the hosts to a single shot on target until that point as they coped admirably with the step up after winning the League Two play-off final. Bloomfield, who took over in January but despite a strong finish to the campaign was unable to save the team from the drop, was asked whether he felt his side deserved their late good fortune. 'Yes,' he said. 'We feel like there's certain things that have gone against us over the last period of time. 'One thing you can't do is whine about it. All you can do is get on with your work, and you have to be grateful when the gods shine on you and give you a little bit of fortune. 'There were only two teams in the last 10 league games (last season) that got more points than us – Burnley and Leeds. 'But after being relegated you can't expect that everything's going to be looked on smoothly with sunshine and smiles.' Prior to the late winner, defender Reuell Walters had had Luton's only attempt on target in the 63rd minute, drawing an excellent save from Bishop with a half-volley struck from range. 'Relived and pleased to get the win,' added Bloomfield. 'Pleased with elements of the performance – the togetherness, the unity within the group. 'Frustration that we didn't create more clearcut opportunities and look more threatening. But pleased to get off to a winning start. 'We can't expect to click our fingers and get to the final product overnight. There's been a definite change of identity which we saw on show tonight. 'We're an evolving group, we're a new group. Now it's about getting better every week and keep working to where we want to get to.' Dons boss Johnnie Jackson, whose team were playing in the third tier for the first time since 2022, said: 'I'm gutted for my players and supporters. To lose the game in that manner was cruel. 'It's a fortunate goal from their point of view. They made us defend that situation, caught us in that position but that rarely happened to my team all night. I thought we defended brilliantly. 'To lose it on an own goal on the side of the bar is a hard one to take.'
Leader Live
41 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Matt Bloomfield believes it was about time Luton had some luck
Back-to-back relegations had left the Hatters – who were a Premier League side 15 months ago – playing in the third tier for the first time since 2019 but after dropping out of the Championship in May their fortunes took a turn for the better when the Dons defender headed the ball over goalkeeper Nathan Bishop and in off the crossbar with five minutes to play. It was cruel on Wimbledon who had limited the hosts to a single shot on target until that point as they coped admirably with the step up after winning the League Two play-off final. Bloomfield, who took over in January but despite a strong finish to the campaign was unable to save the team from the drop, was asked whether he felt his side deserved their late good fortune. 'Yes,' he said. 'We feel like there's certain things that have gone against us over the last period of time. 'One thing you can't do is whine about it. All you can do is get on with your work, and you have to be grateful when the gods shine on you and give you a little bit of fortune. 'There were only two teams in the last 10 league games (last season) that got more points than us – Burnley and Leeds. 'But after being relegated you can't expect that everything's going to be looked on smoothly with sunshine and smiles.' Prior to the late winner, defender Reuell Walters had had Luton's only attempt on target in the 63rd minute, drawing an excellent save from Bishop with a half-volley struck from range. 'Relived and pleased to get the win,' added Bloomfield. 'Pleased with elements of the performance – the togetherness, the unity within the group. 'Frustration that we didn't create more clearcut opportunities and look more threatening. But pleased to get off to a winning start. 'We can't expect to click our fingers and get to the final product overnight. There's been a definite change of identity which we saw on show tonight. 'We're an evolving group, we're a new group. Now it's about getting better every week and keep working to where we want to get to.' Dons boss Johnnie Jackson, whose team were playing in the third tier for the first time since 2022, said: 'I'm gutted for my players and supporters. To lose the game in that manner was cruel. 'It's a fortunate goal from their point of view. They made us defend that situation, caught us in that position but that rarely happened to my team all night. I thought we defended brilliantly. 'To lose it on an own goal on the side of the bar is a hard one to take.'
