The 2017 WDF World Cup is over, and what a fantastic weeks of darts it was.  From an American point of view, it could have finished on a higher note, but the Men just fell short in their gallant effort to capture the Overall gold medal.

Thanks to Jeff Smith’s superb win in the Men’s Singles final, the last event of the day saw the Americans and Australians in a straight fight, not just for the Team gold, but for the Overall gold as well.  The quartet of Tom Sawyer, Joe Chaney, Billy Squires, and Robbie Phillips got off to a slow start, and despite throwing everything they had at the Aussies, it was to prove futile.  Quickly storming into a 3-0 lead, Australia’s confidence just wouldn’t allow their opponents back into the match.  It could have been different had a couple of early missed doubles gone in, but was still a superb performance, and they are returning to the US with the Team silver medal, and the Overall bronze.

The US Women weren’t involved in the final day’s events, but like the men, they showed some great form, and were just unfortunate with some of the draws they had, particularly running into members of the impressive Dutch team (eventual gold medalists early) on in several events.  Full credit to Lisa Ayers, Carole Herriott, Paula Murphy, and Cali West.

The day started with the Girls’ Singles, and Iran’s Deniz Hashtbaran claimed her second gold of the week with a 6-4 triumph over Ireland’s Katie Sheldon.  We already knew the Boys’ Singles was going to the Netherlands, with Justin van Tergouw and Wessel Nijman squaring off, and van Tergouw it was who emerged victorious.

There was a lot riding on the Women’s Singles final.  If Sweden’s Vicky Pruim could beat Sharon Prins (Netherlands), it would leave a straight fight between the two nations in the Team final for not only Team gold, but Overall gold.  In a thriller that went the distance, Vicky got the win that she – and Sweden – needed,

The Men’s Singles was a contest between the Smiths – Canada’s Jeff, and Aussie Raymond.  This was an extremely entertaining affair of real quality, and after Raymond started strongly, Jeff clicked into gear, and moved into what looked like being a commanding lead.  Busting when hitting D12 instead of the required D9 changes all that, and it was game on again!  The Canadian was not to be denied though, and became the first ever WDF World Cup Singles Champion.

The Women’s Team final was a tense affair, and the nerves were showing all round.  After 11 legs, the Swedes held a narrow 6-5 lead, and appeared to be heading for a famous victory, but it is amazing how quickly things can change in darts.  They weren’t allowed to add to their 6 point total, as the Netherlands pocketed the next four legs, and two gold medals.

The Men’s Team final followed, and the 2017 World Cup was at an end.  Here are the results from all finals:

Youth Girls Pairs
Deniz Hashtbaran/Mahshad Avezzadeh (IRN) 6 – 5 Layla Brussel/Lerena Rietbergen (NL)
Youth Boys Pairs
Wessel Nijman/Justin van Tergouw (NL) 6- 1 Keane Barry/Killian Heffernan (IRE)
Youth Mixed Pairs
Layla Brussel/Justin van Tergouw 6 – 4 Lerena Rietbergen/Wessel Nijman (NL)
Women’s Pairs
Anastasia Drobromyslova/Marina Kononova (RUS) 6 – 1 Robyn Byrne/Caroline Breen (IRE)
Men’s Pairs
Boris Koltsov/Aleksandr Oreshkin (RUS) 6 – 3 Jeff Smith/Kiley Edmunds (CAN)
Youth Girls Singles
Deniz Hashtbaran (IRN) 6 – 4 Katie Sheldon (IRE)
Youth Boys Singles
Justin van Tergouw (NL) 6 – 3 Wessel Nijman (NL)
Women’s Singles
Vicky Pruim (SWE) 7 – 6 Sharon Prins (NL)
Men’s Singles
Jeff Smith (CAN) 7 – 5 Raymond Smith (AUS)
Women’s Team
Netherlands 9 – 6 Sweden
Men’s Team
Australia 9 – 3 USA

FINAL STANDINGS

MEDAL TABLE (All events)

As far as individual medalists, Justin van Tergouw left Kobe with four golds, a remarkable achievement!

Thank you Japan, and we will see you all in Romania in 2019!

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