Wales, winners in 2020, defeated the Philippines 5-2 with Gerwyn Price, world number two in the Professional Darts Corporation rankings and Jonny Clayton, triumphing against Lourence Ilagan and RJ Escaros.

Price and Clayton averaged just over 99 during an eye-catching display finishing with 106 and 108, as well as a 13-darter, in the final three legs of the match.

The Netherlands, seeking a fifth World Cup, also impressed on the opening night of the event at the Eissporthalle, with UK Open champion Danny Noppert teaming up with Dirk van Duijvenbode.

Noppert and van Duijvenbode recorded a 5-0 win against Brazilians Diogo Portela and Arthur Valle.

The closest contest of the night saw hosts Germany edge past Spain 5-4, with Gabriel Clemens and Martin Schindler just getting the better of Jose Justicia and Tony Martinez.

A dramatic finish saw Clemens and Schindler squander ten match darts between them before Clemens regained his composure to seal victory with a double six.

In the day’s other first round matches, played in the doubles format over the best of nine legs, Denmark beat Singapore 5-2, New Zealand defeated Switzerland 5-3, Republic of Ireland overcame Canada 5-2, Austria beat Finland 5-3, and Northern Ireland beat Gibraltar 5-3.