"It could've been even tougher" admits Martin Schindler on World Matchplay draw as he searches for first win
PDCSaturday, 13 July 2024 at 15:30
Martin Schindler is one of two Germans who have managed to qualify for the World Matchplay. Where 'The Wall' was joined in the last two years by Gabriel Clemens, it is now Ricardo Pietreczko who has become the second German player to qualify for the event in Blackpool.
ADVERTISEMENT
For Pietreczko, it will be his debut, while Clemens is missing after four consecutive participations. For Schindler, it is the third time he has qualified for this prestigious tournament.
The past two editions have not yet produced success for Schindler. In 2022, he lost 10-8 to Gerwyn Price on his debut. Last year, "The Wall" came close to victory again, but then Danny Noppert proved too strong 10-8.
"I’ve played in Blackpool a couple of times now and I’ve never won my first game there, so that is my target,” Schindler was clear about his objective for the upcoming edition in conversation with the PDC.
The 27-year-old dart player from Strausberg, Germany, was paired with Dimitri van den Bergh in the draw for the World Matchplay. The Belgian managed to win the UK Open early this year and also won a Players Championship title.
Still, Schindler is not entirely dissatisfied with this draw. "I could have drawn Luke Humphries or Michael van Gerwen, so it could have been even tougher, but obviously Dimitri is a major champion [UK Open] this year, so he’s not a player to be underestimated.
Schindler, who himself took the title at the International Darts Open earlier this year, believes he himself has made strides again. "My game has risen consistently over the last couple of years. I've been working really hard and now I am getting my rewards.
ADVERTISEMENT
"If I keep scoring like I have been and I hit my checkouts under pressure, then I definitely believe I have a chance of winning this title."
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.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- I loved Jan and loved his walk on music "Explode" by Jordan & Baker. I think if he stuck around the BDO he definitely would have been World Champion, should have won in 2014, he never really showed any of his talent in the PDC. I remembered he worked in a bank or in finance and maybe that was his priority, he was also a fan and interested in magic. Definitely should have achieved much more in darts than he did. Wherever you are nowadays Jan, hope all is well and I was always a fan.richieburnettrocks11-09-2026
- Not much of a tournament really,is it? Now they've all pulled out,it's open for everyone. I'm sure if you bought tickets,you'd be disappointed. Doesn't that seem to bother the withdrawals? Not at all!!rick6710-09-2026
- Need to see her take part in the womens tour. She'll break the inernet.medinabello08-09-2026
- If he can be bothered? He won't play darts in Germany yet he'll go over and get an award!??rick6702-09-2026
- Why is this the main story? He chose not to compete in loads of tournaments,yes he's number 1 in the world,but he does have to turn up at tournaments! Play the next world championship in Dortmund and see if he turns up!!rick6727-08-2026
- This is exactly what I mean,littler survives the 1st round,I think you'll find a lot of other players did. Can you just report on the real sport,and not just 1 person. I like Luke,but this is getting boring now,as Kevin painter once said to Taylor!! The sport is about every player,not 1 who everyone seems to have put the sport on the map.,which he hasn't,he's just got in when the money is massive. Great as he is,it seems like what's the point in anyone trying,he's going to win everything,unless it's in Germany or Australia!!!rick6726-08-2026
- I mean look, Littler's picture is first,wattimena is second and he won! Level it up. I know littler is fantastic,but the sport was here before him,and will be when he's retired. Any player in the top 64/128 can beat each other,it's not big news. Poor Jermaine,wins it,and not even the headline!!rick6726-08-2026
- I appreciate that littler is a fantastic player,but the top 3 articles are about him. Before he'd thrown a dart in the tournament. Level it out a bit, Taylor and van gerwen soon got disliked as the media could only see them,and nobody else seemed to matterrick6725-08-2026
- The two-point Lucky Loser qualifiers are Ross Smith, Robb, Whitlock, Sakai, Ilagan and Toylo. Jermaine is not on the entries list on Dartconnect for the TCH qualifier so the four from the main OoM are probably Searle, Nijman, Dobey, Wattimena.Scoobedybop24-08-2026
- The two-point Lucky Loser qualifiers are Ross Smith, Robb, Whitlock, Sakai, Ilagan and Toylo. Jermaine is not on the entries list on Dartconnect for the TCH qualifier so the four from the main OoM are probably Searle, Nijman, Dobey, Wattimena.Scoobedybop24-08-2026
Loading
