“Every dart I throw hurts” – Physical woes and a crucial miss prove costly for Dirk van Duijvenbode in World Series of Darts Finals disappointment
PDCMonday, 21 September 2026 at 07:00
Dirk van Duijvenbode left the World Series of Darts Finals with a sour taste. The Dutchman lost 10-8 to compatriot Gian van Veen in the Amsterdam quarter-finals, despite long looking set for a semi-final spot. Van Duijvenbode led 8-6 and even had a chance to make it 9-6. He was also hampered by pain in his hand throughout the match.
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“Every dart I throw hurts,” Van Duijvenbode told Viaplay afterwards. “Sometimes it bothers me and then I hit a 180 the next visit. I couldn’t explain it. I’ve had it all weekend, really.”
Asked where the pain came from, Van Duijvenbode confirmed it was his hand. Even so, he refused to use the issue as an excuse for the defeat.
“Pain in my hand, I don’t get it, man. I’m not putting it up as a big excuse either, because I had enough chances. I honestly didn’t get it at all. Then it hurts and you end up throwing absolute rubbish again.”
Dirk van Duijvenbode came off second best in the all-Dutch quarter-final against Gian van Veen
Big swings in level
Van Duijvenbode started slowly and felt Van Veen was clearly the better player early on. As the match progressed, that picture shifted. “At the start I was just a lot worse than him. Then he dipped as well. It’s not like I suddenly got much better, but he dropped a bit.”
Van Duijvenbode capitalised. After the second break it was 6-6, before he strung together two legs to lead 8-6. Still, he felt his level fluctuated far too much.
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“It was 140, 180 or 46, 58, 23, 3. It was really poor. When it had to happen, I didn’t produce. I can say pain played a role, but that’s not the reason either. Apparently it’s a bit of uncertainty or something.”
That made the defeat even harder to take. “Really unnecessary, I think, because I don’t think either of us played well. I didn’t feel second best.”
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Crucial chance for 9-6
The key moment came at 8-6. Van Duijvenbode had a shot at 123 to move 9-6 clear but missed the bullseye. “That 123 came after an unbelievably bad leg. And then you clip the bull on the wire. If that goes in, it’s 9-6 and I don’t think I lose.”
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Instead, Van Veen found fresh momentum. “You give him confidence there, because he breaks, then gets to throw first and it’s level. I couldn’t get over that.”
Van Veen then closed it out strongly. Van Duijvenbode also acknowledged the way his compatriot struck. “In that last leg: 180, 180 and then I miss. He then throws a 12-darter. That’s fantastic from him. He just does that well.”
Van Duijvenbode didn’t look for excuses afterwards. Though he had plenty to reproach himself for, he credited Van Veen’s win. “Of course I’m angry with myself, but I don’t think he’ll be happy with his game either. Neither of us were at it. In the end he was simply the better player. That’s it. On to the next one.”
EXCELLENCE FROM VAN VEEN! 😮💨
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 20, 2026
Gian van Veen delivers a 12-dart hold of throw and reels off four legs on the spin to defeat Dirk van Duijvenbode and reach the semi-finals!
📺 https://t.co/Xmxpvc1Nh5#WSODFinals | QF pic.twitter.com/0XM5Z0CB4j
Kieran WoodDarts Journalist
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He contributes to DartsNews.com, where he covers professional darts through news, match reports, analysis, and live coverage across the PDC calendar and major tournaments.
A key part of his work is on-site reporting from leading events. Kieran has covered the PDC World Darts Championship in person, reporting daily from the venue and providing first-hand insight from the tournament. During his coverage, he has conducted interviews with leading players including Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, and Gerwyn Price.
He is also one of the leading voices of the English-language Dartsnews Podcast, contributing regular analysis and discussion on developments across the professional darts circuit.
In his reporting, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Played great in the final. Makes a mockery of the event when he qualified by losing all of his tour matchesBandB21-09-2026
- He isn't,and won't be the last player to get whistled or booed at. The problem I noticed,is that he winds them up,and give him back,and he doesn't like it. If you can't take it,don't give itrick6720-09-2026
- I hope Phil doesn't return. Watching him the seniors was embarrassing,and he should bow out,and let everyone remember what a legend he is.rick6716-09-2026
- What a nice comment by Wade. Top bloke.BandB15-09-2026
- He wasn't "offered £501,000 to face Luke Littler". He was allowed to audition for the chance. That's not the same. Literally like saying I was offered a no.1 single, when actually I decided not to attend an open casting for the X factor.BandB13-09-2026
- I loved Jan and loved his walk on music "Explode" by Jordan & Baker. I think if he stuck around the BDO he definitely would have been World Champion, should have won in 2014, he never really showed any of his talent in the PDC. I remembered he worked in a bank or in finance and maybe that was his priority, he was also a fan and interested in magic. Definitely should have achieved much more in darts than he did. Wherever you are nowadays Jan, hope all is well and I was always a fan.richieburnettrocks11-09-2026
- Not much of a tournament really,is it? Now they've all pulled out,it's open for everyone. I'm sure if you bought tickets,you'd be disappointed. Doesn't that seem to bother the withdrawals? Not at all!!rick6710-09-2026
- Need to see her take part in the womens tour. She'll break the inernet.medinabello08-09-2026
- If he can be bothered? He won't play darts in Germany yet he'll go over and get an award!??rick6702-09-2026
- Why is this the main story? He chose not to compete in loads of tournaments,yes he's number 1 in the world,but he does have to turn up at tournaments! Play the next world championship in Dortmund and see if he turns up!!rick6727-08-2026
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