SPRINGER BACKS PIETRECZKO AFTER MENTAL COACH BOOST
13/05/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
NIKO SPRINGER says Ricardo Pietreczko has turned to a mental coach ahead of next month’s World Cup after recent struggles.
Pikachu is set to represent Germany alongside Martin Schindler at this year’s international pairs tournament despite enduring a difficult spell with dartitis.
The world No.35 has failed to reach a ProTour quarter-final so far this season as he continues to battle for consistency on the oche.
But fellow countryman Springer believes Pietreczko is making progress after seeking outside help.
He told Oche180: “He tries his best. He spoke to a mental coach and we see today [8th May] compared to the last Pro Tour event he progress a lot and I think he’s ready for the World Cup.
“Not 100%. I think he wants to give all of his efforts in that and he works with a mental coach and I think he will do his best.
“I don’t think really about the World Cup at the moment for myself.”
Springer is regarded as one of Germany’s brightest young talents after winning his maiden Euro Tour title at last season’s Hungarian Darts Trophy.
The 25-year-old admitted he still finds it difficult dealing with the pressure of being the favourite despite his rapid rise in the game.
He added: “Of course, I always want to win, but I know when I played Van Gerwen and Anderson at the last European Tour, I had to play really well to beat them.
“Sometimes when I am the favourite and playing a host nation player, I don’t know if they have performed well.
“I don’t like to have that role or to be in that role. It’s new to me and I have to learn.
“At the moment I think it’s easier for me to play a good player because I have nothing to lose.
“But I want to progress, I want to learn and get better to compete with players like that.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
