In a stunning upset at the European Championship, Dutch darts sensation Wessel Nijman, seeded second, was narrowly defeated 6-5 by Germany’s Martin Schindler in a first-round clash. Despite Nijman’s strong form coming into the tournament, the out-of-form Schindler delivered a resilient performance, securing a dramatic victory in the deciding leg and leaving Nijman still searching for his elusive TV quarter-final.
The Stage Was Set for a Star
Wessel Nijman arrived at his second European Championship appearance in Dortmund as the tournament’s second seed, a testament to his impressive season, which included two coveted titles on the European Tour. Expectations were high for the young Dutchman, who was drawn against Martin Schindler, ranked 31st in the world. The German, often referred to as ‘The Wall’, had been struggling with his form leading up to the event, making Nijman the clear favourite.
Schindler’s Shocking Early Surge
Despite his recent struggles, Schindler exploded out of the blocks, hitting a 70-finish for a quick 14-darter to take the opening leg. Nijman looked poised to respond, but a series of six missed darts at doubles proved costly, allowing Schindler to snatch the second leg. The German continued his momentum, securing the third leg with a 15-darter, establishing a dominant 3-0 lead and putting immense pressure on the second seed.
Nijman’s Resilient Fightback
Facing an early deficit, Nijman knew he had to dig deep. He finally got on the scoreboard with an 18-darter, breaking Schindler’s run. Sensing an opportunity, Nijman then capitalized on several missed darts from Schindler, executing a crucial 100 checkout to close the gap. He followed this with a 20-darter to draw level, seemingly seizing control of the match and turning the tide in his favour.
A Tense Back-and-Forth to the Decider
Just when Nijman appeared to have the momentum, Schindler showcased incredible resilience, immediately hitting back with a blistering 10-darter to regain the lead. The tension escalated as the next three legs went with the throw, highlighting the pressure on both players. A standout moment saw Nijman produce a spectacular 127 checkout on the bullseye, demonstrating his class under pressure. This set the stage for a dramatic and decisive final leg to determine who would advance to the second round.
The Deciding Leg: Schindler’s Triumph
In the winner-takes-all final leg, Martin Schindler started with formidable scores of 140 and 177, quickly establishing a commanding position. He then coolly stepped up to the oche and sealed his victory with an 80 checkout. A loud, triumphant roar from Schindler followed, much to the delight of the home crowd who witnessed their underdog hero pull off a sensational upset. For Wessel Nijman, this narrow defeat means his wait for that elusive and liberating TV quarter-final appearance continues.
Match Statistics at a Glance
A closer look at the numbers reveals why the match was so finely poised, yet ultimately swung in Schindler’s favour:
- Wessel Nijman:
- Average: 89.53
- Double Percentage: 25%
- Martin Schindler:
- Average: 93.94
- Double Percentage: 54.5%
Schindler’s significantly higher double percentage was a critical factor, allowing him to convert his scoring opportunities more effectively, especially under pressure.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
