“We men are vulnerable”: Martin Schindler speaks openly about self-doubt after European Championship thriller

Martin Schindler not only delivered a much-needed sporting breakthrough at the European Darts Championship 2026 in Dortmund, but also offered remarkably personal insights into his state of mind afterwards. After his dramatic 6–5 win over Wessel Nijman, the German spoke openly about the mental struggles of recent months, his self-doubt and why it is important for men in particular to talk about difficult feelings.

The route to the second round was anything but straightforward for “The Wall”. Schindler let an early 3–0 lead slip, then had to battle through a nerve-racking contest before coming out on top in the deciding leg. At the subsequent press conference, including in an interview with Dartsnews.com, the 30-year-old made clear that this win was about much more than simply getting the job done.

Asked about his long-standing work with mental coaches, Schindler became unusually reflective. The past few months had clearly taken their toll.

“Wow, this is getting really deep, but I’ll be as honest as I can,” the German began. “This year, I reached a point where I genuinely thought: ‘Man, if it doesn’t work now, what do we do?’ I was always imagining the worst, thinking that absolutely nothing was going to work.”

Schindler’s continued belief in his ability during this difficult spell did not mean he could deal with every problem alone. Alongside the support he had previously received from mental coach Markus Koch, mental coach Johannes Lipsius recently helped him gain a clearer perspective on his situation.

The work was evidently not limited to techniques for hitting the next crucial darts. Instead, Schindler focused on a lesson that reaches far beyond sport.

“It feels good to talk about bad experiences, bad feelings and bad moments [...]. And I think I’m speaking for a lot of men when I say it really does help to admit that we’re vulnerable and that sometimes we can feel low.”

The German continued: “It’s easy to get caught up in those feelings, but talking about them can help. That’s something I’d really encourage people to do.”

For Schindler, that openness was an important step. Facing his fears rather than pushing them aside helped him look ahead again. That also meant speaking frankly about the worst-case scenario and finding new perspectives from there.

Schindler also showed just how deep his recent mental struggles had been elsewhere during the press conference. He continues to score heavily and hit his doubles on the practice board, but cannot always reproduce that form on the big stage.

“At the moment, I’m only playing against myself, and it’s frustrating,” Schindler said. “It’s a difficult situation when you know that the only obstacle in your way is yourself. And that obstacle isn’t just a small hurdle; it’s a huge wall.”

It is an image that could hardly fit his nickname, “The Wall”, better. For Schindler, though, the wall is currently one he has to overcome himself.

“I feel that on the practice board, where nothing is at stake, I’ve got it; I can do it. I hit 180s and 140s in succession, and I hit my doubles when I need them. Then I get up on stage and nothing comes.”

The German has little doubt about his technical ability. His assessment is clear: “It’s 99 per cent mental. My mind keeps putting up a barrier.”

Schindler said he had worked hard in recent weeks to overcome those blocks, and had also sought professional help. “I’ve left no stone unturned. I’ve tried to work with myself and my mind,” he said.

The fine line between confidence and uncertainty became clear in his opening match against Nijman. Schindler made a strong start and quickly went 3–0 ahead. But instead of closing out the match comfortably, he allowed his Dutch opponent back into the contest.

“I went into the match today without really feeling fear or pressure. But when I went 3–0 up, I realised: ‘Damn, there is a bit of fear and pressure after all,’” the German admitted.

Nijman levelled the match at 3–3, and the contest turned into an open exchange of blows. Schindler kept finding answers, including a superb 10-dart leg, which he set up with visits of 180 and 177.

“In the end, I didn’t give up. I wanted to keep going the whole time,” he said afterwards.

The victory meant even more to the German because he had already lost several close matches this season. Self-doubt had repeatedly held him back at crucial moments.

“There were so many matches I lost 6–5 or 6–4, which I might have got over the line in recent years,” Schindler said. At times, even with 32 remaining and three darts in hand, he had felt unable to finish because he doubted himself too much.

Even so, giving up is not an option for him.

“I have to fight my way through it. I have to grit my teeth and keep going,” Schindler said. “When I feel this bad, I fight my way through it. I grit my teeth and keep going. And, to put it plainly, whatever comes at me from the outside, I will not give up.”

Schindler was relieved to reach the second round, but he also gave a realistic assessment of his performance. Neither he nor Nijman had played at their best.

“Wessel was definitely below his best today. But I think it’s only fair to say that I was too. We both had to fight very, very hard,” the German said.

He was equally clear-eyed about his next match. The support of the Dortmund crowd had helped him, but he would need to raise his game.

“If I play like that again tomorrow, I know I’ll probably lose. There’s no point pretending otherwise. I need to be a little more consistent, no question.”

Jermaine Wattimena awaits in the second round, and Schindler has great respect for the Dutchman’s development. Wattimena now plays with far more composure, maturity and consistency than he did a few years ago. Still, the German is convinced he can come through this test too if he produces his own game.

For now, though, relief is the overriding feeling. After a difficult season, securing European Championship qualification at the last minute and a nerve-racking opening-round win, Schindler can finally breathe again.

The most important achievement of the evening cannot be measured by the result alone. Schindler not only beat Wessel Nijman, but also showed that being open about your weaknesses need not be a sign of weakness. Sometimes, simply finding the courage to talk about them is the first step towards rediscovering your best form.