Martin Schindler completed an incredible comeback against Dave Chisnall on Day One of the 2025 Machineseeker European Championship, recovering from 3-0 down to secure a 6-5 victory on home soil at Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle.
Second seed Schinder, who won the 2025 Austrian Darts Open back in April, was left languishing early on as Chisnall pinned a 111 checkout on his way to a commanding 3-0 lead.
However, Schindler dug deep and displayed the gritty determination that has seen him rise the ranks to become Germany’s number one, as he battled back to edge into Round Two for the first time in six attempts in this competition.
“I am really happy to finally get a win on this stage,” admitted Schindler.
“It was a really tough match. Dave was playing well early on, but those back-to-back 11-darters brought me back into the game.
“104 average and 67% on the doubles. I am really happy with that, and I need to perform like that again to have a big run at this tournament."
Michael van Gerwen was another winner in a last-leg decider, but perhaps can count himself luckier than Schindler as he survived seven match darts from Wessel Nijman.
“It was a really good match until the last leg,” confessed Van Gerwen, a four-time European Champion.
“Wessel was playing well but at the end he showed some nerves.
“It was a tough game but I got the win. I should have beaten him 6-4 and when you put yourself in that position it’s going to be tough."
Van Gerwen will now face Chris Dobey in Round Two, after he beat Stephen Bunting in arguably the game of the evening.
Dobey looked in fine form as he averaged 105, but he defied Bunting averaging 109 in reply as he ran out a 6-3 winner.
“It’s nice to be on the winning side of a game like that for once,” stated Dobey.
“We’re both great players so you know you’ve got to be at your best to beat a player like Stephen.
“You can never rule Michael out. He’s coming back after a tough time and playing some great darts again, which is nice to see.
“I’d rather play Michael at his best because I know I’ve got to play well again like I did tonight, and I’ll be ready for him on Saturday.”
There was double Welsh disappointment on the opening night as Gerwyn Price and Jonny Clayton crashed out in quick succession.
In a repeat of their fiery affair at the World Matchplay, Price succumbed to a 6-3 defeat against Daryl Gurney, with Clayton crashing out to Ryan Searle by the same scoreline.
Ross Smith secured his first victory on this stage since lifting the title back in 2022 as he beat two-time champion Peter Wright 6-2.
It was a devastating loss for Wright, who now plummets to a provisional 30th on the PDC Werner Rankings Ladder.
“I’ve not won a game here since I won the title, so it’s a relief and I’m glad to get the win,” expressed Smith.
“This tournament is massive for me and I’m grateful to have my family here with me. Everyone has been fantastic and I’ve had so much support.
“I have the utmost respect for Peter. He had a good weekend in Hildesheim, but you’ve got to go up there and do your job, and I did that today."
Elsewhere, Gian van Veen secured his place in Round Two as he beat Damon Heta 6-3, whilst Ryan Joyce saw off Luke Woodhouse 6-3 in the opening game of the evening.
The 2025 Machineseeker European Championship continues tomorrow, with top seed Nathan Aspinall in action against two-time winner Rob Cross, while Luke Littler takes on Raymond van Barneveld.
Action will be broadcast live on ITV in the UK, through the PDC's worldwide broadcast partners including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV (excluding subscribers based in the UK, Germany, Austria & Switzerland).
Click here for match stats & results.
2025 Machineseeker European Championship
Thursday October 23
Round One x8
Ryan Joyce 6-3 Luke Woodhouse
Ross Smith 6-2 Peter Wright
Gian van Veen 6-3 Damon Heta
Daryl Gurney 6-3 Gerwyn Price
Ryan Searle 6-3 Jonny Clayton
Martin Schindler 6-5 Dave Chisnall
Michael van Gerwen 6-5 Wessel Nijman
Chris Dobey 6-3 Stephen Bunting
Friday October 24 (1900-2300 CEST, 1800-2200 BST)
Round One x8
Niko Springer v Jermaine Wattimena
Gary Anderson v Cameron Menzies
James Wade v Mike De Decker
Josh Rock v Ricardo Pietreczko
Luke Humphries v Krzysztof Ratajski
Luke Littler v Raymond van Barneveld
Nathan Aspinall v Rob Cross
Dirk van Duijvenbode v Danny Noppert
Saturday October 25
Afternoon Session (1245-1700 CEST, 1145-1600 BST)
Ryan Searle v Gian van Veen
Daryl Gurney V Ross Smith
Martin Schindler v Ryan Joyce
Chris Dobey v Michael van Gerwen