Wales to face Netherlands in World Cup semis

Wales and Northern Ireland are through to the semi-finals of the World Cup of Darts following quarter-final victories in Sunday's opening session in Frankfurt.

The Welsh pair of Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton, aiming to win the competition for a third time, posted a three-dart average of 99.66 in their 8-4 win against Hong Kong.

"We were consistent all the way through, they put us under some decent pressure at stages," Price told Sky Sports after securing a place in the last four, where Wales will meet the Netherlands later on Sunday.

"We weren't at our ultimate best there but we improved from the last game. Every game we go through, we'll improve again and whatever anyone throws at us, we'll throw a little bit more back."

Clayton, currently fifth in the PDC's Order of Merit, and Price, who is 11th, are the two highest-ranked players remaining in the field.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Josh Rock and Daryl Gurney defeated the Republic of Ireland, represented by Keane Barry and Willie O'Connor, in their last-eight tie.

Barry and O'Connor were 5-4 up before Rock and Gurney reeled off four consecutive legs to secure an 8-5 victory.

"It was a fantastic game and a great advert for Irish darts," said former World Grand Prix winner Gurney. "Big credit to Keane and Willie - it takes four to make a great game."

Northern Ireland's semi-final opponents will be Germany, who followed their shock last-16 victory over pre-tournament favourites England by beating 2022 champions Australia in a deciding leg.

Australia's Damon Heta missed a match dart at double top in the penultimate leg, with Martin Schindler confirming the host nation's place in the last four with his first attempt at double 12 in the decider.

While Northern Ireland and Germany will bid to reach a World Cup of Darts final for the first time, the other semi-final will be contested by two nations who have won the event six times between them.

The Netherlands' four titles came in the first eight editions of the tournament, but they have not won it since Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld triumphed in 2018.

Danny Noppert and Gian van Veen had not lost a leg in their first three matches in Frankfurt, including an 8-0 thrashing of Scotland in the last 16.

A streak of 16 consecutive legs won was ended when Czech pair Karel Sedlacek and Petr Krivka broke throw in the opening leg of the quarter-final, but the Dutch duo won eight of the next nine legs to complete another convincing victory.

Should the Netherlands progress past Wales and go on to win the event, it would draw them level with England (five titles) as the most successful nation in the tournament's history.

Quarter-final results

Semi-finals (18:00 BST, best of 15 legs)

Final (to follow semi-finals, best of 19 legs)