This year, the annual darts competition organised by Compumatic was seriously at risk for this very reason, and as a result the number of participants was drastically reduced. Social conflicts that continue in Eastern European countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic, strict immigration controls on entering the European Union that have affected Bulgaria, Latvia and Turkey for a second year, the ever-confused situation in Russia and the economic adjustments of some community members have put a damper on a championship that, in the old days, brought together more than 300 professionals. In 2006, the figure scarcely reached 100.

Great competitors and traditional winners from previous tournaments - as well as teams from Hungary, the Czech Republic, Belgium and France, to mention but a few - were not present at this year’s championship, which meant that Spain monopolised most of the trophies. Only the Portuguese and Serbian teams were able to beat Spain in the men’s selection and the 501 ladies’ pairs.

Nevertheless, and in spite of notable absences, the competition was really tough in some matches - as in the case of the 501 men’s singles, in which the Spaniard Carlos José Rodríguez defeated the Austrian Johann Schnier in the final. Both have won previous championships. In the 501 ladies’ singles, the Spanish player Nuria Picón beat Biljana Naumov from Serbia. For the pairs, the final duel was between two Spanish couples, with Carlos José Rodríguez and Joseph Santonja playing against Javi Cruz and Cristóbal Fernandez, the former pair being the victors. In the ladies’ pairs, the Portuguese players Alexandra Pinto and Margarida Marts had the fortitude to edge out the Spanish duo Silvia Vazquez and Nuria Plaza.

In cricket, the powerful Austrian team formed by Johann Schnier and Markus Niederhofer succumbed to the Spanish pair Javi Cruz and Cristóbal Fernandez. In the ladies competition, the same thing happened and the Spanish were triumphant again. In the 701 triple mixed, the Spanish team formed by Javi Cruz, Cristóbal Fernandez and Isi Chaparro were victorious against the Serbs.

There were seven national men’s teams competing in this year’s World Darts Cup, but in the case of the ladies, the number was reduced to four. The final placing was as follows: Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Serbia in the ladies’ team competition; and Serbia, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal and Montenegro in the men’s. The prizes amounted to more than E7,500, in addition to 10 darts machines of the same model used for the competition. This year, the tournament organisation was again the responsibility of Compumatic Research and the matches could be followed online.

During the formal dinner and presentation of the prizes, the atmosphere was lively and all the participants strengthened their bonds of friendship, some of which began several years ago. They will be renewed at the World Darts Cup 2007.

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