Martin Schindler admitted he "looked my fear in the eye" after claiming a crucial 6-4 victory over Karel Sedlacek at the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht on Saturday afternoon. The win, which booked his place in the third round, significantly strengthens the 30-year-old German's bid to qualify for the European Darts Championship in Dortmund.
Schindler has endured a torrid few months on the European Tour, with disappointing results putting his place at the European Championship in jeopardy. Only the top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit qualify for the tournament in Dortmund, and the German knew he needed a strong result in Maastricht to keep his hopes alive. "Obviously, the situation with the European Darts Championship Finals is as it is. I'm not in the very best kind of face at the moment, so I need to fight for every win," Schindler said. "It wasn't happening for me in the European Tour for a couple of weeks, months now."
Despite the pressure, Schindler insisted he never lost faith in his ability. "I was never like doubting myself or distrusting myself. I was believing in it, but it was just not happening," he said. "I know I needed to win and I prepared myself." The relief was palpable after the match. "I looked my fear in the eye and I won that one, I was happy about it, really," Schindler said. "I'm feeling emotional. It was a really, really important win for me and I am happy. I really tried to focus and I am over the moon at the moment."
The match itself was a dramatic affair, with both players producing impressive finishes but also enduring spells of double trouble. Schindler landed finishes of 164 and 120, and there was a remarkable moment in the second leg when he had 59 remaining and completely missed the board with his first dart while aiming at single 19. He recovered immediately, though, and checked out the remaining 59 with his next two darts. The pivotal moment came in the seventh leg, when Sedlacek had several chances to hold his throw and take a 4-3 lead. The Czech missed no fewer than ten darts at doubles, allowing Schindler to take advantage. "This leg was a bad leg from the both of us, we couldn't hit our doubles, which was on the better side for me in the end," Schindler admitted. "But I have to say the game is 11 legs and not just only one."
Sedlacek remained dangerous throughout and had other chances to put Schindler under pressure, but the German came through 6-4 to keep his European Championship hopes firmly on track. Qualification for next week's tournament in Dortmund now looks within reach, and it would be especially meaningful for Schindler with the European Championship being held in his home country. He will be back in action on Sunday for finals day at the Dutch Darts Championship, having at least secured a vital win after a difficult few months on the European Tour.
