Key Highlights
- Gian van Veen stirs rivalry with Luke Littler in Premier League Darts.
- Van Veen says he won’t hesitate to ‘poke back’ at world No 1 Littler.
- Van Veen secured big wins over Littler and Jonny Clayton on debut night.
- Littler’s press conference cancelled at short notice for second week in a row.
The Rivalry Heating Up
Gian van Veen, the 23-year-old Dutch darts sensation, knows he doesn’t have to play his best against Luke Littler to win. But that’s not stopping him from giving it a go.
Van Veen, who recently won the European Championship, says he’ll be “poking back” at the world No 1 as they face off in Antwerp next week. His debut performance saw him secure big wins over Littler and Jonny Clayton, leaving him with three points to his name.
Building Confidence
“I didn’t play my A game, but I still beat Luke Littler,” Van Veen said after his impressive debut. “That’s what I want to do every week—poke back at him and keep pushing.”
The Dutchman’s confidence is soaring after defeating the reigning world champion on his Premier League Darts debut. He believes this will give him a mental edge going forward, especially as he prepares for his quarter-final clash against Gerwyn Price.
A Press Conference Cancelled
Meanwhile, Luke Littler’s press conference was cancelled at short notice in the second week running. While it remains unclear why these cancellations are happening, fans and analysts alike have speculated that there may be internal issues within the organization managing the Premier League Darts.
Looking Ahead
Littler, who secured a record-breaking six nightly wins last year, says he’s not under any pressure. “Every stage is different,” Littler claimed. “I’m not under any pressure and I don’t need to put pressure on myself.”
The teenager from Warrington will be aiming to continue his remarkable record in Belgium against Luke Humphries, the reigning champion who defeated him in their World Masters final earlier this month.
Van Veen faces Gerwyn Price in a fascinating quarter-final tussle. The Dutch star admits he has been intimidated by ‘The Iceman’ before but believes he’s grown enough to challenge him now. “Definitely the roaring! You notice that he is there on stage,” Van Veen said, adding that he feels more prepared this time around.
The Premier League Darts continues until May 28 at The O2 in London, with all eyes on these top players as they battle it out for supremacy. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from the world of darts!
