Germany’s impressive progression to the quarter-finals of the World Cup of Darts prompted Martin Schindler to deliver a scathing rebuke to online detractors, whom he branded “idiots” following his nation’s unexpectedly resilient campaign.
Pre-tournament prognostications had been overwhelmingly pessimistic regarding the prospects of Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko. Given the tribulations both men had endured throughout the season, many observers anticipated an ignominious exit during the group stage.
Schindler, currently ranked nineteenth in the world, had endured an uncharacteristically barren campaign. The German number one had failed to register a ProTour triumph and was unable to advance beyond the latter stages of any European Tour event. Meanwhile, Pietreczko’ s fortunes had deteriorated considerably, with persistent struggles relating to dartitis compounded by a succession of underwhelming Players Championship performances.
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Despite such unfavourable circumstances, the German duo confounded widespread scepticism with a commendable sequence of displays in Frankfurt. Their aspirations were ultimately extinguished by the Netherlands, who secured an 8-4 victory in the quarter-finals, though not before Germany had emphatically exceeded expectations.
For Schindler, the achievement carried particular personal significance.
Speaking to Oche180, he said: “I always feel that there is still more in there because in doubles format you only throw half the darts, maybe you do not see everything in the statistics.
“But I know what I can do. Above all, I am glad that I can show all the idiots on the internet that even when people think you are in a weak phase, you can still reach the quarter-finals of a World Cup.
“I have mentioned my mental coach often, and not without reason. Without him, it would probably have been much harder to stand here and play my darts.
“I simply have an enormous fighting spirit. I do not want to give up. That is inside me. Darts is my life. Without darts, I would not know what to do.”
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Schindler’s attention then turned to the Players Championship double-header in Wigan on Tuesday, where – despite going out in the opening round on day one – the German will seek to build upon the encouragement derived from his country’s commendable exploits on the World Cup stage.
Images: PDC
