Martin Schindler booked his place at the 2021/22 William Hill World Darts Championship by winning the 2021 Hylo PDC Europe Super League final in dramatic fashion against Florian Hempel in Niedernhausen on Thursday.
Schindler survived two match darts from debutant Hempel in a thrilling deciding leg before pinning the winning double at the fifth attempt to secure a return to Alexandra Palace, having missed the last two stagings.
For a second successive year the Super League final went to a deciding leg, as 24-year-old Schindler, who lost the 2019 final to Nico Kurz, became the first International Qualifier for December and January's World Championship.
"I thought I had blown it, I gave Florian the chance to come back and made it a lot harder for myself," said Schindler.
"But who cares? I won and that is all that matters, I'm over the moon.
"I'm happy with how I have performed over the last six days and it is a big relief to qualify for the World Championship early in the year."
The sixth and final day of the annual event, which features 24 of Germany's top stars, began with the semi-finals as Schindler and Hempel overcame former champions Max Hopp and Dragutin Horvat respectively.
A tight start to the final between two PDC Tour Card Holders saw the pair tied at 6-6, before Schindler reeled off a hat-trick of legs to go 9-6 in front, the last of which was won with a 160 checkout.
Hempel stopped the rot with back-to-back legs, but after Hempel missed three darts at double 15 to level, Schindler took out 65 to move with a leg of the title at 10-8.
Once again, Hempel rallied with back-to-back legs as Schindler missed a dart at the bullseye and two at double eight to wrap up victory in the 20th leg.
Schindler was first to attempt a match dart in the decider, but he was unable pin the bull for a 126 finish which presented Hempel with the chance to return to the board with 36 remaining.
However, Hempel was unable to convert on either his favoured double 18 or double nine, allowing Schindler to take out 25 in three darts to finally bring the curtain down on a captivating contest.
Click here to see all results from the PDC Europe Super League.
2021 Hylo PDC Europe Super League
Finals Day
Thursday April 22
Semi-Finals
Martin Schindler 10-9 Max Hopp
Florian Hempel 10-7 Dragutin Horvat
Final
Martin Schindler 11-10 Florian Hempel