Last year, it was a delight to see Sweden reach the quarterfinals. This year, expectations will be at least as high, and it will be exciting to see how they handle the pressure.

Ranking: 11
Players: Jeffrey de Graaf / Oskar Lukasiak

Sweden has been placed in a tricky group in this year’s World Cup of Darts. The group includes France and Lithuania, with Lithuania being Sweden’s opening match on July 12. The team consists of the same pair as last year, when they pushed Scotland hard in a close quarterfinal.

Expectations for the Swedish team this year are high. Both players thrive at the World Cup of Darts, and it’s a big advantage that they are used to playing doubles together. Over the past year, de Graaf and Lukasiak have played numerous matches for their club team SSDC, and both feel comfortable with their partner, which raises hopes further.

However, their recent rehearsal at the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen was not a success. De Graaf lost 6-2 to Chris Dobey, and Lukasiak lost 6-3 to Stephen Bunting, and neither reached their top form.

It’s crucial for the Swedish players to win the bull to decide which country starts the first leg, as starting the match is very important given how short the group stage matches are.