Ross Smith has once again etched his name into darts history, claiming his second PDC European Championship title in a thrilling final against local hero Martin Schindler in Dortmund. After taking an early commanding 8-2 lead, Smith withstood a fierce comeback from Schindler, eventually securing the trophy with his fifth match dart. This victory not only doubles Smith’s major title tally but also saw him pocket £150,000 and climb to world number six. For Schindler, despite the heartbreak of defeat, his historic run marked him as the first German player to reach a televised major final on home soil, securing his spot in the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts.
Smith’s Masterclass: A Final Full of Drama
The atmosphere at the Westfalenhalle was electric as Ross Smith, the reigning champion from four years prior, faced off against Germany’s own Martin Schindler. The match began with a tight exchange, but it was Smith who seized control, unleashing six consecutive legs to establish a dominant 8-2 advantage. It seemed as though the title was within his grasp.
However, Schindler, affectionately known as “The Wall,” refused to crumble. Fueled by the passionate home crowd, he mounted an incredible fightback, reeling off four successive legs of his own, including spectacular checkouts of 116 and 127. This narrowed the gap to a tense 9-6, threatening an improbable turnaround.
Despite the pressure, Smith demonstrated remarkable composure. He held his nerve on his own throw to move within one leg of victory, eventually sealing the European crown with his fifth match dart, much to his delight.
A Champion’s Voice: “I’m Absolutely Over The Moon”
Overjoyed by his achievement, Smith shared his emotions: “To have this trophy in my hands and to win another major, I’m absolutely over the moon.” He acknowledged the fierce challenge from his opponent, “I was a little bit nervous going into that last break. Martin wouldn’t let up, would he? Full credit to him.”
Smith praised Schindler’s fighting spirit: “I’ve played Martin many times on the circuit and he’s fantastic. He’s a really lovely guy as well, but he’s so hard to play. He’s a fighter.” He added, “I just play the game in front of me. Every game I play is a final, I’m buzzing to have won another major, and that’s for my Mum and Dad!”
The Road to Dortmund Gold: Smith’s Dominant Campaign
The 37-year-old entered the tournament as the top seed, a testament to his impressive 2026 European Tour performances. His journey to the final included several standout victories:
- First Round: A hard-fought 6-4 win over Karel Sedlacek.
- Last 16: Triumphed 10-7 against Damon Heta.
- Quarter-Final: Produced a stunning 107+ average to defeat Luke Woodhouse, overcoming Woodhouse’s own 103+ average and 60% checkout rate.
- Semi-Final: Recovered from a 4-1 deficit to beat Gerwyn Price 11-7, securing his spot in a third televised final, where he maintained his perfect record.
Smith now joins an elite group of players, including Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Rob Cross, and Peter Wright, as a multiple winner of the European Championship.
Reflecting on his overall performance, Smith admitted, “It’s a strange one. I really don’t think I played great this week… I had a really good game against Luke Woodhouse; I think a lot of players let me off as well, but sometimes you have to win ugly.” He emphasized the importance of resilience: “I’m proud of doing that because you have got to dig deep. You have to really fight hard and I think I’ve done that this weekend.”
Schindler’s Historic Home Run: A German Milestone
Despite the final loss, Martin Schindler’s run was nothing short of historic. He became the first German player ever to reach a televised PDC major final, a monumental achievement made even more special on home soil in Dortmund. His journey was captivating:
- First Round: A tense deciding-leg victory over second seed Wessel Nijman.
- Last 16: A clinical performance to sweep aside Jermaine Wattimena.
- Quarter-Final: Delivered arguably the most memorable result of his career, demolishing Jonny Clayton 10-1 with a 103+ average, missing only 5 darts at double and limiting the world number five to just two attempts at the outer ring.
- Semi-Final: Denied Krzysztof Ratajski, holding off a late comeback to triumph 11-6.
As runner-up, Schindler secured his qualification for the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts and saw his world ranking climb significantly to number 20. He had entered the tournament as the 31st seed, barely qualifying, making his performance even more remarkable.
Emotional yet proud, Schindler said: “When I started playing darts ten years ago, I didn’t expect anything and now I made a major final… I tried everything to win this one, but fair play to Ross, he played well.” He added, “I lost but I’m still very happy, I really am, and I’m going to be in the Grand Slam now. That’s probably the best part of it! The crowd were always supporting me and I really appreciate it. Thank you Dortmund!”
Tournament Highlights: Other Key Quarter-Finals
The tournament also featured other gripping encounters:
- Krzysztof Ratajski caused a major upset by defeating world number one Luke Littler 10-6 in the quarter-finals, racing to an 8-2 lead before holding off “The Nuke’s” comeback attempt. This marked Ratajski’s first major semi-final since 2021.
- Gerwyn Price comfortably beat Stephen Bunting 10-3 in his quarter-final match, averaging over 103 and capitalizing on Bunting’s missed opportunities.
What’s Next in the World of Darts
The PDC calendar now shifts its focus to the final Pro Tour events of the year. Darts fans can look forward to double-headers of the Players Championship in Den Bosch on October 28-29 (PC31 & PC32) and Leicester on November 4-5 (PC33 & PC34). These events will set the stage for a busy November, culminating in the prestigious Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
