Raymond van Barneveld sets up quarterfinals showdown with Martin Schindler at Swiss Darts Trophy 2024

Raymond van Barneveld has advanced to the quarter-finals of a Euro Tour tournament for the first time this season. On Sunday afternoon, Barney won 6-4 over Ross Smith in the third round of the Swiss Darts Trophy.

Three times appears to be the charm, as the two players met for the third time this year on the Euro Tour. Smith won the previous two meetings, including last week in Hungary. This win is also a milestone for Van Barneveld, as he has never won against Smith before.

Van Barneveld led by a break in the third leg of the match, but quickly lost that lead again. Smith took three legs in a row and led 4-2 after six legs. Van Barneveld showed resilience and won four consecutive legs to win the match 6-4.

Martin Schindler also managed to advance to the last eight of the Euro Tour event in Basel, at the expense of Stephen Bunting. Schindler recorded a 6-4 victory over the reigning Masters champion.

Schindler got off to an excellent start. He broke Bunting right away in the first leg with a 12-darter by throwing out 127 and via a 14-darter and a 101 finish he then thundered on to a 3-0 lead. The German then allowed himself to start the fourth leg, but missed a chance to extend the lead further. A 16-darter put Bunting on the scoreboard for the first time. With a 21-darter and a 14-darter "The Bullet" then returned to 3-3.

The Englishman was then able to take over the lead, but was not out in five visits. Schindler did so with a 13-darter and got ahead by another break. 'The Wall' then doubled the margin to 5-3 with a 16-darter. Bunting clinched with a 17-darter, but then Schindler finished it off with a 71 finish.