Gian van Veen believes he now poses his biggest challenge to Luke Littler’s reign as world champion after reaching the semi-finals at Alexandra Palace.
The 23-year-old booked only his ticket to a third major semi-final, where Gary Anderson awaits, when he thrashed 2024 champion Luke Humphries 5-1 in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Beating the two-time world champion will secure Van Veen’s chance at glory against either defending champion Luke Littler or Ryan Searle in Saturday’s final.
Asked if he thought he was the closest player to Littler, Van Veen said: “Did he get knocked out of the tournament? If so, yes.”
“Honestly, I don’t know. If I play like I did (against Humphrey), maybe I can. I beat him a few times on the European Tour and had a good performance at the World Grand Prix, but he played phenomenally against that.”
“I know I can give him a fight, but it will be difficult to beat him, especially on the biggest stage. But if I keep playing, I can definitely give him a good fight.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from Van Veen and Luke Humphries’ World Championship quarterfinals
Van Veen: Securing elite status with world title
With his crushing win over Humphries, Van Veen, the reigning World Youth and European champion, rose to world number three and overtook Michael van Gerwen to become Dutch number one.
Van Veen admitted that only by winning a tournament outright can one truly secure elite status. Considering the threat Anderson posed in Friday’s semifinal, it was a result he wasn’t yet focused on.
“To be elite, you have to be a world champion or number one in the world,” he said.
“Now I’m ranked third in the world and a semi-finalist, beating Humphreys again in a very good match. OK, maybe I’m one of the elite players in the sport, but I can’t say I’m in the top five in the world.
“I feel really good and I know that if I play like I did today, I can beat anyone. It’s up to me to show up every game like the elite players do.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Van Veen scores 170 against Humphries.
He added, “I haven’t visualized lifting the trophy yet. I start dreaming when I reach the semifinals.”
“It’s going to be very tricky. Anderson is next, then Littler or Searle in the final. It won’t be easy, but if we keep playing like we did tonight, we’ll have a good chance.”
‘Now is the time for anti-emption’
Van Veen averaged 105.41, scored 11180 and scored ‘Big Fish’ 170 to blow away Humphries on Thursday night. sky sports Experts have no doubts about his potential to win the tournament.
“We keep hearing positive things about what he’s doing, but it makes us think and wonder what’s next,” said three-time world champion John Part.
“The next thing is obviously to win the world title, which is the biggest prize, and he looks pretty good to go up against Gary Anderson.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Van Veen reacts to win over Humphries
“He’s going to make life really difficult for Gary like he did for Justin Hood.
“Whatever happens, it’s his time now. I don’t think he’ll relent against Anderson. He’ll be in the final.”
“That guy is a young man on the rise,” Wayne Mardle said. “He is already European champion. In two days he can be world champion, but he has to get past Gary Anderson first.
“It was a fitting display for someone who could really be a world champion.”
World Darts Championship semi-finals on Sky
The World Darts Championship has advanced to the semifinals.
Watch Luke Littler take on Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson take on Gian van Veen for the final live spot on Sky Sports Darts from 7.30pm on Friday.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live exclusively until January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky Channel 407). Stream darts and other top sports with NOW.
