Germany’s hopeful Martin Schindler missed the sensation at the Darts World Cup in London’s “Ally Pally”.
After a big fight and a 3:1 lead, Schindler lost 3:4 against Vice World Champion Michael Smith and missed the leap into the round of 16.
“Gaga (Gabriel Clemens; editor’s note) has shown what we are made of and what is possible. I hope that I can achieve something similar today,” Schindler said before the game on “Sport1” – and left his Words are followed by deeds.
With six perfect darts, he stormed to the break in the fifth leg and secured the first set.
The “Bully Boy” countered, threw himself into a flow with a 170 finish and equalized.
But the 26-year-old Schindler stayed on, increased his shots of 180, checked a 128 and even secured the fourth set in addition to the third.
“Bully Boy” Smith manages to catch up late
Smith stumbled but did not fall. The fourth in the world rankings dozed back, won the next two sentences and forced the deciding sentence.
There, last year’s finalist made the comeback perfect with his first match dart – and now meets his compatriot Joe Cullen, who had previously won 4-0 against the Australian Damon Heta.