Martin Schindler claimed an important victory on Saturday afternoon at the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht. The 30-year-old German beat Karel Sedlacek 6-4, taking a major step towards qualifying for the European Darts Championship in Dortmund.

After the match, Schindler could barely hide his emotions. The past few months have been particularly difficult for “The Wall”, who was under intense pressure to secure qualification for the European Championship on home soil.

Schindler is usually a regular at the major televised tournaments, but disappointing results on the European Tour had put his place at the European Championship in jeopardy. Only the top 32 players on the European Tour Order of Merit qualify for the tournament in Dortmund.

The German knew he needed a strong result in Maastricht. He managed to edge past Sedlacek for a crucial victory, significantly improving his qualification prospects.

“I had to fight for every win”

After the match, Schindler spoke openly about the difficult period he has been through. The German admitted that he is not playing his best darts at the moment. “"Obviously, the situation with the European Darts Championship Finals is as it is. I'm not in the very best kind of face at the moment, so I need to fight for every win,” Schindler said.

Things have been especially difficult on the European Tour in recent weeks. "It wasn't happening for me in the European Tour for a couple of weeks, months now.”

However, the German stressed that he had never completely lost faith in his ability. “I was never like doubting myself or distrusting myself. I was believing in it, but it was just not happening."

Schindler knew exactly how important a win would be before facing Sedlacek. “I know I needed to win and I prepared myself.”

Martin Schindler has struggled to impress on the major stage this year.

“I looked my fear straight in the eye”

The pressure on Schindler made his victory all the more special. The German was visibly relieved after securing his place in the third round. "I looked my fear in the eye and I won that one, I was happy about it, really,” Schindler said.

His emotions were clear after the match. “I'm feeling emotional. It was a really, really important win for me and I am happy.”

The German said he had done everything he could during the match to avoid being distracted by what was at stake. “I really tried to focus and I am over the moon at the moment."

Big finishes and costly misses

The match between Schindler and Sedlacek took a dramatic course. Both players produced impressive finishes, but each also had spells when the doubles proved difficult to find.

Schindler produced finishes of 164 and 120. There was also a remarkable moment in the second leg, when he had 59 remaining and completely missed the board with his first dart while aiming at single 19.

The German recovered immediately, though, and checked out the remaining 59 with his next two darts. The match’s pivotal moment came in the seventh leg. Sedlacek had several chances to hold his throw and take a 4-3 lead.

The Czech missed no fewer than ten darts at doubles, allowing Schindler to take advantage. That break ultimately proved decisive. "This leg was a bad leg from the both of us, we couldn't hit our doubles, which was on the better side for me in the end,” Schindler admitted.

However, the German did not want the whole match to be reduced to that one moment. “But I have to say the game is 11 legs and not just only one."

Sedlacek remained dangerous throughout and had other chances to put Schindler under pressure. The German nevertheless came through 6-4.

Dortmund European Championship in sight for Schindler

His win over Sedlacek has significantly strengthened Schindler’s position in the race for a place at the European Championship. Qualification for next week’s tournament in Dortmund now looks within reach.

Qualifying would be especially meaningful for the German, with the European Championship being held in his home country. That was precisely why the pressure in Maastricht was so high.

Schindler will be back in action on Sunday for finals day at the Dutch Darts Championship. After a difficult few months on the European Tour, he has at least secured a vital win.