Gian van Veen has emerged as a formidable contender in the World Darts Championship, confidently positioning himself as the greatest threat to Luke Littler’s reign as world champion. His commanding 5-1 quarter-final victory over 2024 champion Luke Humphries secured Van Veen a place in only his third major semi-final at Alexandra Palace.
The 23-year-old Dutchman now faces two-time world champion Gary Anderson in the semi-finals. A win against Anderson will guarantee Van Veen a shot at the title in the final against either the defending champion, Littler, or Ryan Searle.
Van Veen’s confidence and perspective on the challenge
When asked if he considered himself the player closest to dethroning Littler, Van Veen replied affirmatively, stressing the importance of maintaining his current level of performance. He acknowledged previous victories over Littler on the European Tour and competitive matches at the World Grand Prix but admitted that overcoming Littler on the sport’s biggest stage remains a significant challenge. “If I keep performing, I can definitely give him a good game,” Van Veen stated.
Aiming for elite status through championship success
Van Veen’s emphatic win over Humphries also propelled him to World No. 3 and the top-ranked Dutch player, surpassing Michael van Gerwen. Despite this rise, he emphasized that true elite status would only be achieved by claiming the world championship or becoming world No. 1. He noted, “Right now, world No. 3, semi-finalist, beating Humphries again in a very good game — maybe I’m one of the elite players, but I wouldn’t say I’m top five yet.”
He remained grounded, highlighting the need to consistently replicate his high-quality performances. “It’s just on me to show that game after game, like elite players do,” he said. Van Veen admitted he has not yet allowed himself to fully envision lifting the trophy, but acknowledged the significance of reaching the semi-finals.
Stunning performance against Humphries earns high praise
Van Veen’s quarter-final display was marked by a stunning 105.41 average, 11 maximum 180s, and a ‘Big Fish’ 170 checkout. His performance left pundits and former champions impressed. Three-time world champion John Part remarked, “What’s next is to win the world title, obviously the biggest prize of all.” He further noted Van Veen’s potential to challenge the experienced Gary Anderson, predicting a tough battle.
Wayne Mardle, another respected figure in darts, highlighted Van Veen’s rapid rise by mentioning his European Championship success and the opportunity to become world champion soon. “It really was a display fit for someone who may go on to be world champion,” Mardle said.
Upcoming semi-final clashes and broadcast details
The World Darts Championship semi-finals feature two critical matches. Van Veen will contend with Gary Anderson, while Luke Littler takes on Ryan Searle. These matches are scheduled for Friday evening, starting at 7:30 pm and broadcast live on Sky Sports Darts.
Fans can follow every stage of the Paddy Power World Darts Championship live exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. This coverage offers comprehensive access to all matches held at Alexandra Palace, providing in-depth insight into the tournament’s unfolding drama.
As Van Veen prepares to face Anderson, he remains focused on delivering consistent, elite-level darting. His recent victories and evident confidence suggest a shift in the world darts landscape, where the young Dutch player could soon challenge the established hierarchy and potentially claim the coveted world title.
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