World Cup glory for Gary and Scotland

Team Unicorn ace Gary Anderson is a World Cup winner.

Together with Peter Wright, the pair took Scotland to the pinnacle as they beat surprise finalists the Republic of Ireland in the final in Hamburg.

It marks the perfect return to big-time darts for Anderson, who of course has been plagued by injury problems during 2019.

“This is an amazing feeling,” Gary said. “To represent your country and win a World Cup is something you only dream about starting out in any sport. We’ve come close before, so this is very special.”

“I haven’t played much competitive darts this year because of my back and elbow problems and came here not really knowing what to expect. I apologised to Peter before! But it all came right in the end.”

On a thrilling final day in Germany, the Scottish pair held their nerve as the drama unfolded around them.

The Republic of Ireland pair of Steve Lennon and William O’Connor had already seen off England and Team Unicorn’s Michael Smith. Then on Sunday they beat Austria and stunned defending champions Holland in the semi-finals as they shocked Michael van Gerwen and Jermaine Wattimena.

But they ran out of steam against Anderson and Wright in the final.

Lennon did beat Anderson 4-2 but Wright hit back to edge out O’Connor and the Scotland duo won the doubles 4-0. In the reverse singles it was a job done as Wright secured a 4-1 over Lennon and the World Cup was won!

The Scots beat Belgium and the Team Unicorn duo of Kim Huybrechts and Dimitri van den Bergh 2-0 in the quarter-finals. Anderson got the better of Huybrechts 4-2 and Wright beat Van den Bergh by the same score.

Next they ended the brave and battling run of Japan in the semi-finals. The Japanese had been brilliantly led by Team Unicorn star Seigo Asada throughout their World Cup campaign.

They cruised to a 2-0 success over New Zealand in the quarters, but Scotland proved too strong with Anderson seeing off Asada 4-2 in their singles clash. Asada and Haruki Muramatsu produced Japan’s best ever performance at the World Cup.

Anderson and Wright pocket £35,000 each but after losing two finals, it is the trophy, the title and to be called World Cup winners that really matters.

Hopefully this triumph will be the perfect pick me up and preparation for Gary as he gets ready to defend his World Matchplay crown in Blackpool next month.

Story from STUART PYKE