Er is among the top 20 darts players in the world in 2022. In this respect, Martin Schindler’s scoring qualities and high checkout rates are no longer surprising. The 25-year-old, by far the most consistent German on the professional tour this year, is stringing together good results. At the European Darts Open in Leverkusen, “The Wall” demonstrated a strength previously unknown on the big stage: comeback qualities.
In his second round match against Rob Cross, Schindler started off strong as usual, but lost against the number ten seeded Englishman, only to pull himself together again and successfully resist the impending defeat.
“There are no words for it,” said Strausberger, enthusiastically cheered on by the 2,500 fans, and immediately corrected himself: “Although, yes, actually a lot: cool, breathtaking, mega. Thank you guys,” Schindler said.
Schindler throws 21 darts without a triple
The first sticking point of the match was the fourth leg, which Schindler secured with a 154 finish via triple 19, triple 19, double 20 for a break and took a 3-1 lead.
The felt German number one: Martin Schindler
Source: PDC Europe/Kais Bodensieck
“These 154 felt super cool, but then… it just went haywire, nothing worked anymore. I lost three legs in a row, then fought my way back and that was very important. Cool.”
Here darts professional Martin Schindler imitates his colleagues
Martin Schindler is not only one of the best German darts professionals. He is also an excellent impersonator. Here he recreates six world-class players. Do you recognize these players?
The weak phase actually took on unimagined proportions. Schindler conceded the direct serve loss as even 21 darts weren’t enough to hit a big triple and the first eight darts of the sixth leg all missed as well.
Cross, who reacted angrily to the annoying whistles during his first check darts, put his hand to his ear and addressed a few clear words in the direction of the audience, routinely used his opponent’s dropouts to equalize 3:3. Perhaps the young German had brought himself out with his emotional reaction to the high finish.
When the problems continued in the seventh round, the match seemed to be lost: none of Schindler’s first eleven shots landed in the triple. The average had fallen below 90, the trend spoke against Schindler. Cross led 4:3.
Schindler, however, remained patient, fought – and lo and behold: thanks to a 180 he was able to turn the trend again in eleven darts and made it 4:4 with great emotion. He made his personal comeback, added the next 180 and checked 13 darts to make it 5:4. The Strausberger was now unstoppable and converted his third match dart to 6:4.
In the round of 16 on Sunday afternoon (from 1 p.m. live on Sport1 and DAZN) he meets Belgian Dimitri van den Bergh, who easily defeated Scotsman Cameron Menzies 6-1.
Peter Wright, on the other hand, was eliminated once again. The 4:6 against Scott Williams was the fifth defeat in a row for the number one in the Order of Merit. “Snakebite” also lost the pants duel between the two most extravagant protagonists on the tour. As on Friday when he defeated Adam Gawlas, Williams came onto the stage in tight, black and yellow checked trousers. “It wasn’t Peter, it wasn’t number one, it wasn’t the world champion,” said Williams, given his opponent’s poor form.
World Champion Conqueror: Scott Williams realized his success
Source: PDC Europe/Kais Bodensieck
The Englishman now has to deal with the Northern Irish youngster Josh Rock in the duel of the two surprise round of 16. “He’s not the good-looking guy, to be honest,” Williams said with a wink.
Results, European Darts Open
2nd round:
Krzysztof Ratajski (POL) – Josh Rock (NIR) 2: 6
Jose de Sousa (POR) – Dennis Nilsson (SWE) 6:5
Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED) – Maik Kuivenhoven (NED) 6:1
Brendan Dolan (NIR) – Andrew Gilding (ENG) 6:0
Ryan Searle (ENG) – Krzysztof Kciuk (POL) 6: 2
Dimitri Van den Bergh (BEL) – Cameron Menzies (SCO) 6:1
James Wade (ENG) – Berry van Peer (NED) 6:1
Joe Cullen (ENG) – Devon Petersen (RSA) 6: 1
Luke Humphries (ENG) – Darren Penhall (ENG) 6: 2
Nathan Aspinall (ENG) – Karel Sedlacek (CZE) 6: 2
Gerwyn Price (WAL) – Luke Woodhouse (ENG) 6: 4
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Daryl Gurney (NIR) 6:3
Peter Wright (SCO) – Scott Williams (ENG) 4:6
Jonny Clayton (WAL) – Rowby-John Rodriguez (AUT) 6:2
Rob Cross (ENG) – Martin Schindler (GER) 4:6
Damon Heta (AUS) – Dave Chisnall (ENG) 4: 6
round of 16
Gerwyn Price (WAL) – Nathan Aspinall (ENG)
Luke Humphries (ENG) – Brendan Dolan (NIR)
Joe Cullen (ENG) – Dirk van Duijvenbode (NED)
Michael van Gerwen (NED) – Jonny Clayton (WAL)
Josh Rock (NIR) – Scott Williams (ENG)
Dimitri Van den Bergh (BEL) – Martin Schindler (GER)
Jose de Sousa (POR) – James Wade (ENG)
Ryan Searle (ENG) – Dave Chisnall (ENG)
