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MICHAEL VAN GERWEN’S Netherlands were unable to defend their BetVictor World Cup of Darts title following a shock semi-final defeat Republic of Ireland, who were beaten in the final by Scotland.

Van Gerwen and Jermaine Wattimena powered past Spain in their opening Pairs contest on Friday before both winning Singles matches on Saturday to see off Poland in Hamburg.

The world number one slipped up against Dawson Murschell in the first tie of their quarter-final clash with Canada on Sunday – but Wattimena defeated Jim Long to force a Doubles decider, which the Dutch duo won.

Van Gerwen overcame Steve Lennon in the semi-final opener but Wattimena was beaten by William O’Connor and a brilliant display by the Irish pair in the Doubles contest so them progress to the final.

Lennon and O’Connor went on to lose out to Gary Anderson and Peter Wright in the final as Scotland became the third country to win the World Cup.