The Dutch Darts Championship stepped up a level on Saturday afternoon in Maastricht as the big seeds entered the fray — and Martin Schindler delivered the headline moment, sealing a "ginormous victory" over Karel Sedlacek in a crucial contest ahead of next week's European Championship.
The stakes were high for both men, with the match billed as a decisive showdown before the European Championship gets underway. For Schindler, the win provides a major boost to his hopes of a European Championship return, while Sedlacek was left nursing a huge blow to his own ambitions.
Elsewhere on a busy afternoon session, Wessel Nijman was not at his sparkling best but still found a way to win, reeling off five consecutive legs to defeat Jeffrey de Graaf. The Dutchman's run of legs proved decisive in seeing off his compatriot on home soil.
The session also saw the tournament's leading names look to make their mark in Maastricht, with Ross Smith, Ryan Searle, Luke Woodhouse and Danny Noppert all aiming to stake their claims as the stakes rose another notch. Ross Smith's meeting with Ryan Joyce was among the fixtures drawing attention on Saturday.
The action in Maastricht comes with the European Championship looming next week, adding extra weight to every result — and Schindler's statement win over Sedlacek has certainly shifted the momentum heading into Dortmund.