World Grand Prix in Leicester
“Trembling” darts star Schindler makes history
October 5, 2023, 6:36 a.m
27-year-old Martin Schindler writes a small piece of German darts history. He reached the quarter-finals at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. No German has ever managed this before. He completely fails at the start.
Darts professional Martin Schindler became the first German ever to reach the quarter-finals at the World Grand Prix. In the round of 16 of the major tournament in Leicester, England, which was endowed with 600,000 pounds (around 693,000 euros), the world number 25 defeated. the Englishman Stephen Bunting, who was one place ahead of him, with 3:2.
“I’m still shaking,” said 27-year-old Schindler several minutes after the thrilling game: “That means a lot to me. These are the tournaments in which you have to perform.” Schindler had a very difficult time getting into the game in the Morningsyde Arena, but his opponent played strongly. In the first leg of the tournament, which was played in a double-in format, he remained scoreless. In three innings, he missed all nine attempts at doubles.
Bunting secured the first set with a clean sheet and started the following set impressively with six perfect darts. “It was very difficult to even get to the doubles,” explained Schindler: “I just tried to concentrate on myself.” This tactic should pay off for the German.
Now it’s against the 2021 world champion
Little by little he found his way into the game better and won the next two sets. He also provided a highlight with the highest possible check-out (160). Bunting managed to counterattack again and secure set four, but in the end it was Schindler who used his first match dart to win in the deciding set.
Since the first round defeat of German number one Gabriel Clemens against two-time world champion Peter Wright from Scotland, Schindler has been the only remaining German in the tournament. In the quarterfinals on Friday he will face Gerwyn Price from Wales, the 2021 world champion, against whom he was eliminated in the first round last year.