European Championships in Dortmund
Luke Littler mocks German darts star
Updated 10/24/2025Reading time: 2 minutes
Martin Schindler could hardly have made it more exciting. In a nerve-wracking match he beats his rival Chisnall – and reached the second round in Dortmund for the first time.
Martin Schindler overcame his Dortmund trauma at the European Darts Championship and reached the second round in the Westfalenhalle for the first time. Thanks to an impressive comeback, Germany’s number one won against Englishman Dave Chisnall 6-5 in front of almost 3,000 spectators and will now face Ryan Joyce on Saturday. The 24th in the world rankings beat Luke Woodhouse right at the start (6:3).
Shortly before the start of the European Championships in Dortmund, Schindler found himself in the firing line of darts prodigy Luke Littler because of a statement he made. Schindler won 6-4 against Irishman William O’Connor at the German Darts Championship last weekend and said to “Darts News”: “He was merciless, he was very strong in scoring with 180s and 140s. But then he missed a few chances and it was clear to me that he wouldn’t be able to maintain that level – not even Luke Littler can do that – and he didn’t.”
Littler apparently got the hidden compliment the wrong way and posted the German’s statements in an Instagram story with a mocking comment. Littler wrote: “I live rent-free in his head” – which means: Schindler just can’t stop thinking about me.
The reigning world champion Littler, who is considered the tournament favorite, enters the European Championships on Friday; the 18-year-old has to prove himself against Raymond van Barneveld.
Schindler, who had strong nerves, did not allow himself to be disturbed at the start of the European Championship. In the meantime he was already 3-0 down, and so far in four appearances in Dortmund it has always ended in the first round. “Of course the victory means a lot to me because I have proven to myself that I can perform and deliver at a major in Germany,” he said. “Today was important and I can stay.”
With the win against Chisnall, the 29-year-old underlined his strong form. He recently became the first German to make it into the top 16 in the world rankings. In Hildesheim a week ago he reached the third round of the German Darts Championship.
The European Championship, which runs until Sunday, is considered the start of the hot phase of the season that will take the players back to England. The event in Dortmund is followed by the Grand Slam in Wolverhampton and the Players Championship Finals in Minehead. The highlight is the XXL World Cup in London at the end.