Gian van Veen makes darts request that could cost him thousands | Other | Sport
Gian van Veen has made a request for this year’s Premier League that could end up costing him thousands of pounds. The young Dutchman is through to the World Darts Championship final, where he will face Luke Littler for the sport’s biggest prize. The winner will also land a £1million jackpot, which will be the largest single payout in the history of professional darts.
Van Veen booked his place in the final with a thrilling victory over Gary Anderson in the last eight. He produced the display of his life to claim a 6-3 triumph and maintain his incredible run at Alexandra Palace, which has seen him climb to third in the Order of Merit. The match was closely contested but some crucial mistakes from Anderson on the doubles allowed Van Veen to take full advantage.
As a result of his rise up the rankings, Van Veen has already guaranteed himself a place in this year’s Premier League line-up. The top four players in the Order of Merit qualify automatically, while the remaining four are invited by the PDC.
Anderson’s run to the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace has led to calls for his return to the Premier League and Van Veen is desperate to see that happen.
Speaking after his victory over the Scot, he said: “Even before the semi-final tonight, I asked Gary: ‘You got to be in the Premier League?’. He said: ‘No, I can’t do it. too much travel, blah, blah, blah’.
“I said: ‘Just join us, come play in the Premier League because that’s what we all want to see’. We all say this to him, what Gary’s capable of, so that’s what we want. But if Gary says: ‘I’m not doing it’, then that’s his decision.”
Van Veen may end up regretting his comments to Anderson if the two-time world champion does indeed decide to play in the Premier League.
His form suggests that he would be more than capable of winning the competition, potentially costing Van Veen thousands of pounds in prize money compared to what he would get for winning it himself.
It remains to be seen whether Anderson will change his mind, with Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle convinced that he still has the ability to win tournaments.
“Gary’s been kind of looking like he can win something on the big stage for a while without doing it,” said Mardle following Friday’s semi-final.
“He won the World Cup in 2019, but 2018 was his last singles win. So, whilst he wins on tour, he doesn’t do this that often, he really doesn’t.
“But I did say before a dart was thrown in this semi-final that I didn’t think he would buckle at all and he really didn’t. I didn’t foresee him playing that well and still getting beat by that scoreline. Who could foresee that? It was a joy to be part of.”
