Schindler ends his wait for first Players Championship title “If I am honest, I haven’t played great today but I have managed to win my games”

Martin Schindler won his first Players Championship title, defeating Jeffrey de Graaf 8-1, in Hildesheim on Tuesday.

The German number one has been steadily improving over the previous year, and he now adds his first Players Championship triumph to his two European Tour victories in 2024.

Schindler breezed over his opponent in the final, storming into a 5-0 lead without reply before sinking a match-high 126 checkout to move to the brink of victory, which was eventually secured on double ten.

Schindler was nearly ousted in the semi-finals, but he survived two match darts against Patrick Geeraets.

The Dutchman led 6-3 and missed two darts at double 16 for a spot in the final, but Schindler dug deep and won four legs in a row to advance.

“If I am honest, I haven’t played great today but I have managed to win my games and that is the most important thing I guess,” said Schindler.

“I always thought the first title I would win would be a Players Championship one, but then I got the two European Tour titles. I don’t care how they have come but I am so happy right now.”

“Fair play to Patrick but he wasn’t playing great, and I was just thinking I could be doing better,” continued the former World Cup semi-finalist.

“I thought just give it a little bit more and maybe it will be enough. Like I said, I haven’t played great but I am very happy to now win my third title.”

Schindler’s path to the final began with an easy 6-3 victory over George Killington, before the 28-year-old scored his highest average of the day (100.57) in a 6-4 triumph over Danny Lauby.

He won comfortably 6-3 over Robert Grundy and Mensur Suljovic before holding his nerve and defeating Kevin Doets in a last-leg decider, followed by a gruelling triumph over Geeraets.

De Graaf, who is competing in his third Players Championship final, began his campaign with a 6-1 victory over Andy Baetens, averaging 103.04.

He defeated Daryl Gurney (6-3), Berry van Peer (6-2), and Ian White (6-3), then he qualified for the title match by defeating Dylan Slevin (6-5) and Dom Taylor (7-4).

It was a day full of surprises in Germany, and at the last 16 stage, only two of the world’s top 32 remained in the competition at the Players Championship Eight.

Event Seven Winner Gary Anderson lost in the second round to compatriot Greg Ritchie, while Peter Wright, Michael Smith, and Dimitri Van den Bergh were among the first round casualties at Hildesheim.

However, perfection was struck once more in Germany, as Lukas Wenig landed a nine-dart leg against Dom Taylor in the first round.

Schindler ends his wait for first Players Championship title

2025 Players Championship 8

Last 16

Dylan Slevin 6-3 Sebastian Bialecki

Jeffrey de Graaf 6-3 Ian White

Dom Taylor 6-2 Mario Vandenbogaerde

Ryan Searle 6-3 Nick Kenny

Martin Schindler 6-3 Mensur Suljovic

Kevin Doets 6-3 Ted Evetts

Niels Zonneveld 6-5 Raymond van Barneveld

Patrick Geeraets 6-5 Greg Ritchie

Quarter-Finals

Jeffrey de Graaf 6-5 Dylan Slevin

Dom Taylor 6-5 Ryan Searle

Martin Schindler 6-5 Kevin Doets

Patrick Geeraets 6-4 Niels Zonneveld

Semi-Finals

Jeffrey de Graaf 7-4 Dom Taylor

Martin Schindler 7-6 Patrick Geeraets

Final

Martin Schindler 8-1 Jeffrey de Graaf

Nine-Darter!

Lukas Wenig hit a nine-darter in his first round tie against Dom Taylor.