SCHINDLER: LITTLER AND HUMPHRIES FACE ‘DIFFICULT SITUATION’

MARTIN SCHINDLER believes going from fierce rivals to World Cup team-mates puts Luke Littler and Luke Humphries in a “difficult situation”.

The Wall says the world’s top two players face a unique challenge as they attempt to turn their individual brilliance into doubles success for England.

13-time major winner Littler and Humphries arrive in Frankfurt as tournament favourites after dominating the sport over the last 18 months.

But Schindler, who helped dump England out of the major event last year, believes the pairs format presents a very different test.

He said: “I definitely think that Luke Littler’s going to be prepared more.

“Luke Humphries seemed to me he was prepared last year already.

“For them it must be a difficult situation.

“They are world No.1, world No.2 and are always fighting for wins in the Premier League.

“For us compared to them it’s like a hobby.

“These guys, they’re playing on a very good and consistent level.

“I give that to them but here in the World Cup it’s something different.”

Germany are once again hoping to make a deep run after opening this year’s event with a superb 4-0 victory over the Philippines.

Schindler and Pietreckzo averaged a whopping 101.90 in the Group A clash despite both players enduring difficult campaigns leading into the tournament.

Pietreczko has spent much of the year battling dartitis while, Schindler has failed to reach a televised quarter-final this season.

But confidence is growing once again and Schindler would welcome another showdown with England.

He added: “Why not? If we are going to be drawn against them and we have to play England then we will try our best to beat them.

“If we are not going to face England until the final, and we are going to reach the final and they will reach the final, then we will try to beat them here.”