When Martin Schindler hit his match dart at double nine early on Saturday afternoon, sealed his 6–4 win over Karel Sedlacek and secured his place in the European Championship Darts 2026 in Dortmund at the last possible moment, it was not just “The Wall” who breathed a huge sigh of relief. German darts fans must have felt the same. Schindler’s run to the last 16 at the European Tour season finale in Maastricht confirmed that Germany would have two players to cheer at its home European Championship.

Niko Springer will also compete in Dortmund. The two German professionals took very different routes to qualification, have not always produced their best form recently and now face exceptionally tough opening assignments. So what can the two German contenders expect at the European Championship Darts? How are they playing, what do the statistics reveal and what are Schindler and Springer’s realistic chances at their home event? It is time for a detailed assessment.

Strong statistics, painful defeats: Schindler and Springer head to Dortmund

Let us start with Germany’s number one. Martin Schindler has experienced a mixed three months, with good and bad spells following one another. It began with a bitter disappointment at a major. At July’s World Matchplay in Blackpool, “The Wall” faced Gerwyn Price and led the Welshman 8–5. Instead of a prestigious opening win, however, Schindler suffered a painful 11–9 defeat and was on his way home after the first round.

The German was much more consistent on the Players Championship circuit over the following months. Schindler made just two first-round exits in six events. He reached the last 32 three times and the last 16 once. These results may not include a major breakthrough, but they point to solid form.

His recent European Tour results were far less encouraging. Schindler suffered three first-round defeats, a slump that left his qualification for Dortmund in doubt until the final event. “The Wall” at least secured an opening win in Prague, before finally getting over the line at the season finale in Maastricht. His victory over Karel Sedlacek and the resulting run to the last 16 earned him a place at the home European Championship at the last possible moment.

Niko Springer’s recent months have followed a different pattern. The “Meenzer Bub” has been notably consistent, particularly on the European Tour. He progressed beyond the first round in four of his five appearances, earning valuable prize money for the European Tour Order of Merit. Only at the season finale in Maastricht did the German lose his opening match. He went down to Scott Williams, but by then his qualification for the European Championship was already in good shape.

Springer’s biggest success of the past three months came on the Players Championship circuit. He reached the semi-finals of Players Championship 25, another milestone in his young PDC career. His other appearances at Players Championship events were less spectacular: he reached the second round twice and lost his opening match once.

Another highlight came at the end of September, when the “Meenzer Bub” made his debut at the World Grand Prix in Leicester. For the first time in his career, Springer was the sole German contender on a PDC major stage. He put in a decent performance against Danny Noppert, but the Dutchman was in excellent form and won 2–1 in sets.

The numbers: where do the two Germans really stand?

What do the bare numbers say about the current form of Germany’s two European Championship contenders? Let us start again with Martin Schindler. The 30-year-old won only 11 of his 24 matches over the past three months. That is a win rate of 45.83%, which is certainly below the standard expected of Germany’s number one.

A closer look at the underlying statistics, however, paints a more surprising picture. Schindler averaged 94.69 over the same period, ranking an impressive 16th internationally. “The Wall” also impressed in one of his key strengths: power scoring. He hit 76 180s in the past three months, more than Rob Cross, Cameron Menzies and Dave Chisnall, for example. His average of 0.33 maximums per leg puts him an outstanding 11th in that category.

So where is the problem? The answer lies on the outer ring. Over the past three months, Schindler hit just 38.34% of his doubles. That leaves him 75th internationally, well short of what is expected from a player of his class.

The result is a striking picture: Martin Schindler has been playing at a good level for months and remains one of the world’s strongest scorers. But he is not converting those performances into enough wins. Despite promising statistics, he is losing more matches than he wins. His inconsistent finishing is likely a key reason, repeatedly undermining his strong work on the treble beds.

Martin Schindler’s statistics: the past three months

Statistic	Value (last 3 months)
Matches played	24
Matches won	11
Win rate	45.83%
Average	94.69
180s hit	76
180s per leg	0.33
Checkout percentage	38.94%

And what about Niko Springer? His statistical profile initially looks similar. The German won 12 of his 23 matches over the past three months, giving him a 52.17% win rate and a slight edge over his compatriot. The comparison becomes more interesting when we look at their performance statistics.

Although Springer has won more matches than Schindler, his average is well behind Germany’s number one. The “Meenzer Bub” averaged 90.32 per visit over the past three months, which ranks just 67th internationally.

The scoring figures are also underwhelming, despite scoring usually being one of the German’s major strengths. Springer’s game thrives on explosive scoring spells and a high number of 180s, yet he managed just 49 maximums in recent months. That leaves him 145th in this category. His average of 0.24 180s per leg, ranking 58th, also falls short of the level he can reach at his best.

Perhaps the difference between Schindler and Springer lies in their finishing, then? Not really. Springer’s checkout percentage is even lower than his compatriot’s. He hit just 35.28% of his attempts at double over the past three months, leaving him a disappointing 192nd internationally.

Once again, the numbers show that darts is about much more than statistics and averages. Niko Springer has been well below his usual level in recent months, particularly when compared with his own potential. Yet the “Meenzer Bub” is still winning more matches than he loses. Schindler has not made enough of his strong statistical numbers, while Springer has managed a positive match record despite much weaker figures.

Springer’s recent form in numbers: the key statistics

Statistic	Value (last 3 months)
Matches played	23
Matches won	12
Win rate	52.17%
Average	90.32
180s hit	49
180s per leg	0.24
Checkout percentage	35.28%

Two different routes: how Schindler and Springer qualified

The ability to keep winning matches without being at their very best is likely one reason Niko Springer could approach the race to qualify for Dortmund far more calmly than his compatriot.

The 26-year-old competed at all 15 European Tour events this year, having to negotiate the first round each time as an unseeded Pro Tour qualifier. His record: five first-round defeats, five appearances in the second round, four runs to the last 16 and one quarter-final. It was not a campaign of spectacular highs, but it showed remarkable consistency.

Those results earned Springer 26th place in the European Tour Order of Merit. He finished among the top 32 and could plan for the European Championship well in advance.

Martin Schindler’s situation was very different. As noted earlier, “The Wall” had to fight for his place at the European Championship until the season finale in Maastricht. That is particularly striking given the previous two years. Schindler travelled to Dortmund as the top seed in 2024 and as the second seed in 2025. Just one year later, the German had to wait until the final event to find out whether he would even make it to his home tournament.

Schindler also competed at all 15 European Tour events, and unlike Springer, he usually benefited from a seeded position. He began in the second round at 13 events and had to play in the first round only twice.

Even so, his season record makes for sobering reading. Schindler lost his opening match as a seeded player in the second round seven times. He also suffered one first-round defeat, reached the second round once more, made four last-16 appearances and reached two quarter-finals. The many early exits stopped him from building a comfortable position in the rankings.

In the end, he just did enough. Schindler finished the European Tour season 31st in the Order of Merit, qualifying for the European Championship in the final available spot. At least he had a £5,000 cushion over Karel Sedlacek, who finished 32nd.

A daunting draw for Schindler: Wessel Nijman awaits in Dortmund

Even after qualifying, neither German can afford to relax. Schindler and Springer have been handed tough opening opponents in Dortmund.

Unlike at many other PDC majors, the European Championship field is not drawn in the usual way. Instead, the bracket follows the European Tour Order of Merit standings. As the 31st seed, Schindler knew in advance that he was likely to face a formidable opponent.

That opponent is Wessel Nijman.

The 26-year-old Dutchman has been one of the standout players of the darts season. Nijman has been in superb form on the European Tour for much of the year, winning two titles and finishing second in the relevant rankings. He has also claimed six more titles on the PDC floor. Eight titles in a year underline the level he has reached.

Despite those impressive achievements, two factors may give Martin Schindler some hope: Nijman’s record on the biggest major stages and his form in recent weeks.

The Dutchman has been dominant on the Pro Tour, but has yet to reproduce those performances consistently at the biggest events. He has won just 13 of his 19 PDC major appearances. Nijman is often criticised for lacking the composure and nerve required on the big stage.

Nijman has now won 11 PDC titles in the senior game, yet he is still waiting for his first major quarter-final. He has never progressed beyond the last 16 at one of the sport’s major events.

His impressive title haul this year also came largely in the first half of the season. All eight of his tournament wins came before the end of June. His most recent title was at the Slovak Darts Open, where he beat Rob Cross in the final. Nijman has cooled off somewhat since then. He has reached one more semi-final, but has not made another final for several months.

Still, it would be a mistake to describe Nijman as a vulnerable opponent. His statistics from the past three months show that he continues to play at a world-class level. With a 58.82% win rate, a 95.68 average and 10th place internationally, he remains stronger than most of his rivals.

His scoring numbers are impressive too. Nijman’s 112 180s rank 26th, while his average of 0.33 maximums per leg puts him 10th. His checkout percentage is particularly notable. At 43.53%, he ranks an outstanding seventh internationally and is well ahead of Schindler.

The head-to-head record also favours Nijman. The pair have met eight times, with the Dutchman winning six. Schindler has claimed just two victories.

The favourite is clear. Wessel Nijman heads to Dortmund as one of the year’s most in-form players and will take to the oche against Germany’s number one as the clear favourite. But perhaps the major stage, where Nijman has often struggled in the past, will give Martin Schindler his best chance.

Wessel Nijman’s statistics: the past three months

Statistic	Value (last 3 months)	Advantage
Win rate	58.82%	Nijman
Average	95.68	Nijman
180s hit	112	Nijman
180s per leg	0.33	Level
Checkout percentage	43.53%	Nijman

Springer faces a huge challenge too: Jonny Clayton awaits

What about Niko Springer? As 26th in the European Tour Order of Merit, the “Meenzer Bub” had little reason to expect an easy opening draw. Even before the bracket was announced, it was clear he would face a player from the top ten in Dortmund.

His opponent is Jonny Clayton.

The Welshman has been in outstanding form this year and is once again one of the most consistent players on the PDC Tour. “The Ferret” impressed in particular on his return to the Premier League of Darts. Four nightly wins and second place in the final table behind Luke Littler made it an excellent campaign.

Clayton has also enjoyed a notable success on the European Tour. He claimed his first ranking title of the year at the Swiss Darts Trophy, reaffirming his place among the world’s elite away from the major stages too.

His statistics from the past three months show just how well Clayton is playing. The Welshman won an impressive 73.08% of his matches, comfortably ahead of Springer. “The Ferret” also averaged 93.98, ranking 23rd internationally and well clear of the German.

Clayton hit 85 180s during that period, ranking 49th. His average of 0.28 maximums per leg puts him 29th. Those figures may not match the category leaders, but they are well above Springer’s recent scoring numbers.

Clayton’s greatest strength may be his finishing. The Welshman hit an outstanding 44.42% of his doubles over the past three months. That ranks fifth internationally, a level Springer’s 35.28% is some way short of.

The head-to-head record offers the German contender little encouragement either. Springer and Clayton have met twice on the PDC Tour, and the Welshman won both matches.

The second match featuring a German player also has a clear favourite. Jonny Clayton will start against Niko Springer as the favourite, and the “Meenzer Bub” will need to raise his level considerably to put the Welshman under real pressure in Dortmund.

Statistic	Value (last 3 months)	Advantage
Win rate	73.08%	Clayton
Average	93.98	Clayton
180s hit	85	Clayton
180s per leg	0.28	Clayton
Checkout percentage	44.42%	Clayton

Tough tests, but little pressure: Dortmund offers a big opportunity

The two German contenders could hardly have faced more demanding opening assignments at the European Championship. Martin Schindler takes on one of the season’s most successful players, while Niko Springer must contend with an in-form Jonny Clayton. Both Germans start as underdogs, but the home European Championship offers each of them a major opportunity.

While other players in Dortmund will be fighting not only for the title but also to defend valuable ranking prize money, Schindler and Springer face comparatively little pressure in that respect.

Schindler lost in the first round at the 2024 European Championship. The £7,500 he earned then will now drop out of his two-year PDC Order of Merit total, and his qualification has already ensured that he has earned the same amount again. Any further win would therefore add to his ranking total.

Niko Springer is in an even more comfortable position. The Siefersheim player made his European Championship debut only last year and was not in the field two years ago. He is also just in the second year of his Tour Card, so he has no prize money from this two-year ranking period to defend. Every pound the “Meenzer Bub” earns in Dortmund will count directly towards his ranking total.

One thing is clear: Schindler and Springer face two major sporting challenges at their home European Championship. But as far as the world rankings are concerned, they have little to lose. Neither arrives in Dortmund with a substantial ranking total to defend, and both have shown this season that they can challenge the world’s best on a good day.

Whether they can do so in front of their home crowd remains to be seen. One thing is certain: although Germany will have only two contenders at this year’s European Championship, their opening matches will be full of intrigue.