“Maybe three years ago, I would have let my head drop and given up” – Kevin Doets sets up Martin Schindler showdown after Leverkusen fightback

Kevin Doets recovered from 3-1 down to defeat Dominik Gruellich 6-4 at the 2026 European Darts Open, setting up a second-round meeting with German number one Martin Schindler in Leverkusen.

Doets reeled off three consecutive legs to take control of Friday evening’s first-round contest, producing an 11-darter on his way to a 98.72 average. Afterwards, the Dutchman pointed to the stage experience gathered over the past two seasons as the difference between victory and the kind of defeat he may once have accepted.

Gruellich made the faster start in front of the German crowd, breaking throw immediately before opening up a 3-1 advantage with an 84 checkout.

Doets began to find his range from there. He held throw to reduce the deficit, levelled on double 16 and then moved ahead for the first time with an 11-darter. “The start felt really tough,” Doets admitted. “I really had to grow into the game, but once I did, I felt like I played really, really well.”

Gruellich stopped the run to level at 4-4, but Doets regained the lead with a hold of throw before completing the comeback on double 20.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience from this year and last year on stage,” he said. “Maybe three years ago, after a start like this, I would have let my head drop and I would have given up. But today, I felt like I could do better than this. I did, and I’m happy to get the win in the end.”

Despite facing a German qualifier in Leverkusen, Doets felt the crowd warm to him during the match.

“To be honest, I was playing in Germany against a German, but I felt like they were on my side and I loved it,” he said. “It was insane. I didn’t expect that, and hopefully they’ll be on my side again tomorrow. I’m not expecting it because we are in Germany, but I really appreciated it today. Thanks, guys.”

That support will be tested when Doets returns to face Schindler, who enters the tournament as the 11th seed and the leading German player in the field.