“You can’t script this game” – Martin Schindler after clear exit to Ryan Searle at the World Darts Championship

For the third time in his career, Martin Schindler reached the third round of the World Darts Championship. And for the third time, Germany’s number one saw his run end right there. At Alexandra Palace, “The Wall” was clearly second best this time. Against Ryan Searle, he suffered a straightforward 0-4 defeat in sets.

Immediately after the match, Schindler faced Elmar Paulke’s questions on the DAZN microphone. The 29-year-old’s disappointment was obvious. “That obviously doesn’t feel good,” Schindler admitted. “I think it’s a completely different game if I hit my doubles in the first and second sets.”

Those missed chances were the turning point. Schindler squandered several opportunities in the early stages, while Searle was ruthless. “I didn’t take those chances, and in the end he just ran over me,” said Schindler. “Even when it was going against me, I always believed, even at 0-3. Down the stretch he was simply merciless.”

Statistically, the evening hadn’t felt quite so one-sided. At times, Schindler even felt he had the edge in scoring. “Especially at the start I had the sense that I was more often on a finish after nine darts,” he explained. “But if you don’t take your chances, especially with three darts at double, it becomes brutally hard.”

Particularly bitter: Schindler still doesn’t know exactly what he did wrong. “I can’t really say how and why it happened,” Schindler said candidly. “If I could, it probably wouldn’t have happened.”

Paulke then addressed Schindler’s relaxed demeanor before the match. Maybe too relaxed? “I wouldn’t say that,” the German replied. “The darts at double weren’t bad. You can’t program this game.” The only thing to do is keep looking ahead.

Despite the clear scoreline, Schindler didn’t want to talk down his World Darts Championship. “It was a good Worlds,” he summed up. “Not a sensational one, but good. Even today’s match wasn’t super bad.” With a brief smile, he added: “At least I wasn’t throwing left-handed, that would have been even worse.”

Another major talking point was unavoidable. Stephen Bunting’s early exit opened up the draw. A deep run and even Premier League ambitions seemed within reach. “Yes, it was absolutely a chance,” Schindler admitted. “Also today, and also what could have come after.”

He would have backed himself even against a matchup with Bunting. “I would have absolutely trusted myself to beat him,” Schindler explained. “But that’s exactly why I always say: There’s no point thinking about what happens if you win or lose.”

In the end, only a sober conclusion remained. “You have to be in the here and now,” said Schindler. “I tried, I wasn’t quite there. I deserved to lose.” Shortly after, he closed the chapter: “It’s over. But I was done after Christmas.”