"I have really matured as a human": Schindler gaining other responsibilities has led to darting rise
PDC
After a breakthrough year on the European Tour, Martin Schindler aims to crown his memorable season with his first televised title on home soil at the European Darts Championship. 'The Wall' is making history anyway, as he is the first German to top the placing list at a PDC major.
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Schindler managed to earn the most prize money at the thirteen Euro Tour tournaments in 2024 this season. Schindler himself managed to win two of these titles. “I’m very proud of the year I’ve had on the European Tour,” insisted Schindler. "It’s been a good year for me and being the number one [seed] is a great feeling.
“The European Tour has always been a very big step for players; if they handled the European Tour they would perform even better in major tournaments.
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“I always put pressure on myself, but I think it’s a good thing for me to have pressure, and because of that pressure I believe I can be the best version of myself.”
Schindler begins his European Championship participation against Dirk van Duijvenbode. In his four previous European Championship appearances, Schindler never managed to win a match and he hopes to end that streak on Thursday.
“The support I get in Germany is always great,” admitted Schindler. "Unfortunately I haven’t managed to win a game at the European Championship yet, but I’m really looking forward to playing in front of my home crowd again. Dirk is an emotional player, like I am as well. I am expecting him to perform well, but I have to look at myself and play my game.
“You cannot take anything for granted and if I don’t play well, I’m probably going to lose this game.”
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Schindler is on the verge of breaking into the world's top 20 for the first time in his career, and a strong performance at the Westfalenhalle could put him in the top 16.
“I think I have managed to deal with situations so much better than I have in the past,” claimed Schindler. "I always used to have trouble playing in front of crowds; four or five years ago I was not myself on the stage, but I figured, what’s the worst that can happen?
“I think I have really matured as a human. I am a father now; I have other responsibilities. I have really developed in my life and I’m trying to use the experiences I’ve had in my personal life - especially with my daughter – to help me grow.
“I think the most important thing is to be patient; wait for your chance and always believe in yourself.”
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Samuel GillChief Content Officer
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of DartsNews.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy across professional darts coverage. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces, playing a central role in the development and daily operation of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has extensive experience in darts media and has been closely involved in coverage of the professional darts circuit for several years. Within the UK darts community, he is a recognised figure known for his consistent editorial output and ongoing reporting on major tournaments and developments across the PDC calendar.
In his current role, Samuel works closely with editors and writers to ensure content meets clear journalistic standards, with a focus on source verification, editorial consistency, and timely updates when new, confirmed information becomes available.
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- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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