ANALYSIS: Doubling of the highest calibre: Gian van Veen racks up second highest checkout rate of any prior European champion

After complete domination from Luke Humphries and Luke Littler in the major ranking tournaments in 2025, Gian van Veen managed to fend them and the rest of the competition off enroute to becoming the European Champion, with his doubling percentage a large factor in this.

The young Dutchman broke out on the scene in this competition, reaching the European Championship semi-finals back in 2023. Two years on, and he will leave Dortmund as a major winner. Now up to seventh in the world, the Premier League beckons with consistent performances and deep runs culminating in him to lifting his maiden major title.

In darts, scoring can get you so far. If you cannot get over the line, then you are not going to win legs or matches. While The Giant put up some huge averages throughout the event, including a 109 average against Ryan Searle in round-two, the doubling throughout was world class. Checkout percentages of 43%, 67%, 48%, 55% and 39% in the final saw his tournament checkout rate finish at a very respectable 49%. Overall, he pinned 48 out of 98 darts at a double.

This tally only falls behind Michael van Gerwen's 2015 campaign, where he found 48/97 doubles, slightly above van Veen with 49.5%. Mighty Mike produced this scintillating showing to win his second of four consecutive European Championship titles. The last laugh does remain with van Veen, who narrowly dumped out his fellow countryman in the semi-finals.

Following these champions up are two Englishman going by Ross Smith and Ritchie Edhouse. While not favoured for success before a dart was thrown in their respected years, the pair defied the odds to win their sole major to date. Smudger just sits behind the two Dutchman with 48.5% checkout rate, while Edhouse languishes a little lower with 44.9%. The top five is capped off by van Gerwen, whose third title was won with a 44% checkout rate.