If we return to 2023, Gian van Veen entered the World Youth finals as a favourite only one month away from the World Championships. In that ultimate, he misplaced to Luke Littler.
After all, nobody may have predicted the 17-year-old’s meteoric rise, however it’s additionally been a yr of regular enchancment for the 22-year-old Van Veen, reaching the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam , the highest 32 of the World Grand Prix and the highest 16 of the British Open.
Then, in Minehead, he beat fellow Dutchman Jurjan van de Velde 6-5 in a dramatic match to safe the elusive World Youth Championship.
With that vast title and confidence beneath his belt, Van Veen can look again on the previous yr in a optimistic gentle, even when his fellow younger stars have acquired a whole lot of consideration.
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Van Veen scores spectacular 140 in opposition to Gary Anderson in Darts Grand Slam
“Yeah, I feel each of our careers have been on the rise since then. I feel his [Littler’s]Much more than mine, after all. However I feel it’s OK,” Van Veen stated.
“I am simply taking my time. I simply wish to end my profession. After all, he is executed a terrific job successful championships, particularly on TV, however that is not one thing I evaluate myself to.
“I do not suppose any of us can actually evaluate to that. I used to be the favourite to make the ultimate final yr however we each had fairly profitable years.
“Final yr I reached the semi-finals of the European Championships and I most likely put additional strain on myself on the World Championships.
“I additionally wish to present everybody what I can do. However now it is not the primary time.”
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Van Veen catches ‘massive fish’ in opposition to Ross Smith at World Darts Grand Prix
The particular nature of the World Championships was not misplaced on Van Veen, who admitted he had “goosebumps” when he made his debut final yr.
Though he misplaced 3-2 to Boon Lok Leong within the first spherical, with expertise on the largest stage, Van Veen is about to move to Ellie Paley, able to showcase his skills.
“I hope to do effectively within the World Championships. Ally Pally is a particular place. Once I walked in final yr, I had goosebumps,” he added.
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Van Veen had a surprising four-bull match in opposition to Rob Cross at Winter Backyard
“The drive up the mountain itself is nice. After all, my World Championships did not go as deliberate, however I am actually trying ahead to coming again this yr and hopefully it will likely be higher than final yr.
“However that is the second time, so I do know what to anticipate on stage, within the coaching space, within the crowd, within the resort and every part round.
“So I feel I will be lots calmer this yr and it must be a very good match. Individuals say at Worlds, it is nearly getting via the primary sport.
“I wish to win my first sport. That is the principle objective for this yr after which we’ll see how issues go, sport by sport. I feel if I get to the final 16, perhaps even into the quarters Finals, I might be very comfortable about that.
When does the World Darts Championship happen?
The match will happen at Alexandra Palace on Sunday 15 December, with three first spherical matches and one second spherical match on the opening evening.
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Michael Bridge and Polly James focus on which gamers are nonetheless price fearing when enjoying darts on Love The Darts
There will probably be stay darts each day for the subsequent eight days, together with seven afternoon classes, with a standard three-day break from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day earlier than a 3rd spherical and double-header on December 27 .
The third and fourth rounds will probably be accomplished earlier than New 12 months’s Eve, December 30, with the quarter-finals break up into two classes on New 12 months’s Day, adopted by the semi-finals on January 2 and the ultimate on Friday, January 3.
The total schedule for this yr’s competitors might be discovered here.
Who will win the Paddy Energy World Darts Championship? Watch each match stay from December 15 to January 3, solely on Sky Sports activities’ devoted darts channel. Stream darts and more top sports with NOW.
