Schindler and Pietreczko reach quarterfinals of Darts Team World Championship in Frankfurt

The German team had already impressed in the group stage. Schindler and Pietreczko swept past the Philippines 4:0, followed by a 4:2 win over New Zealand. With these performances, the duo secured their place in the knockout stage of the home tournament in Frankfurt am Main.

For Martin Schindler, the German number one in darts, the run to the quarterfinals comes after a difficult year. The 29-year-old has played a disappointing first half of the year so far but is now looking ahead with optimism. "Ich habe immer und immer wieder das Gefühl, es steckt noch einiges in mir, was ich selber noch gar nicht weiß, was ich rausholen kann," Schindler said after the win.

Schindler after a weak first half

The 29-year-old showed confidence in the face of online critics. "Mich freut's sehr, den Idioten im Internet aufzuzeigen, dass man auch, wenn man in vermeintlich schlechten Phasen steckt, dass man auch trotzdem bis ins Viertelfinale eines World Cups kommen kann," he said. The match against the Czechs proved that Schindler can still deliver even in difficult phases.

His partner Ricardo Pietreczko has also had a tough few months. The 31-year-old, ranked 19th in the world, was stuck in a form crisis and, by his own account, suffered from symptoms of "dartitis." The term describes a kind of mental block that causes darts players problems when throwing. Against the Czech Republic, Pietreczko rediscovered his old strength.

Pietreczko battling dartitis

Asked what it felt like to be back on stage playing darts, Pietreczko gave a short and sweet answer: "Geil!" His return to the big stage at the Team World Championship in Frankfurt am Main seems to have given the 31-year-old a new boost.

Tough draw: Netherlands await

The quarterfinals now bring the toughest possible task. In the afternoon (4:15 p.m.), the German duo will face the Netherlands – a team featuring the former world number one Michael van Gerwen and vice-world champion Gian van Veen. Van Veen, the current vice-world champion, and van Gerwen, who dominated the top of the world rankings for years, are regarded as one of the strongest pairings in the tournament.

Should the German duo clear that hurdle, the two semifinals and the final could also take place in the evening at the Frankfurt Ice Rink. That would make a perfect tournament day possible for Schindler and Pietreczko, one that could end with the title – provided they defeat the Dutch stars.