Sunday, October 25, 2026

Smith beats Schindler in Dortmund thriller after Littler’s QF exit

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European Championship Darts: Ross Smith beats Martin Schindler to Dortmund title after Luke Littler’s quarter-final exit | Darts News | Sky Sports
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Ross Smith has won the European Championship for a second time in five years
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Ross Smith has won the European Championship for a second time in five years

Ross Smith has won the Machineseeker European Championship for a second time after overcoming a late Martin Schindler fightback to claim an 11-8 victory in Dortmund.

The 2022 champion fired a 107 average in his last-eight victory over Luke Woodhouse and rallied from 4-1 down to beat Gerwyn Price 11-7, setting up a showdown against German No 1 Schindler at Westfalenhallen.

Smith edged a tight opening session before reeling off six straight legs against Schindler, who almost fell 9-2 behind before capitalising on some wayward finishing to sneak a 20-dart break of throw.

Schindler was broken in the next but offered a four-leg burst – including finishes of 116 and 127 – to cut the deficit to 9-7 and threaten a famous comeback, but the next three legs went with throw as Smith closed out victory and the £150,000 first prize.

Victory sees Smith become just the fifth player in history to win multiple European Championship titles, with his latest success following his World Series of Darts title in September and lifting him to world No 6.

More to follow…

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