Dutch darts star Gian van Veen has issued a confident warning to reigning champion Luke Littler ahead of their showdown for the PDC World Darts Championship title. The 23-year-old, ranked tenth globally, secured his place in a maiden world final after a dramatic 6-3 victory over Scottish legend Gary Anderson in a semi-final classic at Alexandra Palace.
A Semi-Final Epic Sets The Stage
Van Veen's path to the final was forged in a match already being hailed as an all-time great. Having previously swept aside world number one Luke Humphries, he continued his blistering form to storm into a 3-1 lead over two-time champion Anderson. The fifth set provided unforgettable drama, with Anderson firing in a spectacular 10-dart leg followed by a 'Big Fish' 170 checkout to move within a leg of the set.
Undeterred, Van Veen showcased immense resilience, winning three consecutive legs to snatch the set and edge closer to victory. He maintained his focus amid a partisan crowd firmly behind the popular Anderson, eventually prevailing 6-3 with a 103 average and a strong checkout percentage.
Van Veen's Confident Final Message
Speaking after his semi-final triumph, Van Veen expressed both amazement and supreme self-belief. "It feels amazing, of course," he said. "Being a child, I wasn't even dreaming about [being in a final]. My first ever dream was to be in a World Championship."
When asked about his chances against the teenage sensation Littler, his response was unequivocal. "Very confident, of course," Van Veen stated. "I'm playing so well this tournament. I think my lowest average was about 97, 98... It gives me massive confidence, of course, going into the final."
He acknowledged the scale of the challenge, however, insisting: "I know Luke Littler is waiting and everyone knows what he's capable of so I need to bring out my A-game tomorrow otherwise it's going to be a very, very difficult game."
The Daunting Littler Challenge
Awaiting him is the formidable 18-year-old Luke Littler, who is aiming to become the first player in a decade to win back-to-back world titles, a feat only achieved by four players in history. Littler booked his final spot with a dominant 6-1 win over Ryan Searle, averaging an impressive 105.35.
Van Veen is under no illusions about the threat Littler poses, admitting the reigning champion may hold a scoring edge. "It's going to be very tough, of course, because he's going to put you under pressure from set one," Van Veen analysed. "He's probably the better scorer than I am. So I just need to keep up, take my chances and I've got a chance."
The final promises to be a gripping contest between the established Dutch talent reaching his first final and the teenage phenom defending his crown. Van Veen has vowed to produce his best, predicting a close battle: "I'm not going to win 7-0 or 7-1, it's going to be a very close game and if I play less then he's going to smash me."
