Following in Van Gerwen & Van Barneveld’s footsteps: Gian van Veen becomes just 6th Dutch winner of PDC major at European Championship

The Netherlands has produced some of the most iconic names in darting history — and now, Gian van Veen has officially joined that elite club. The 23-year-old captured his first major title at the 2025 European Championship in Dortmund, defeating world number one Luke Humphries 11–10 in a gripping final to become just the sixth Dutch player ever to win a PDC major.

It’s a triumph that cements Van Veen’s place among the sport’s brightest young stars and continues the proud Dutch tradition that began more than two decades ago. From Roland Scholten’s pioneering breakthrough to the dominance of Michael van Gerwen and the legendary career of Raymond van Barneveld, Dutch players have repeatedly shaped the direction of modern darts. Van Veen’s success proves that the next generation is more than ready to carry that torch forward.

When Roland “The Tripod” Scholten won the 2004 UK Open, few could have predicted the era of dominance that would follow. Scholten’s calm, methodical approach laid the groundwork for what Dutch darts would become — professional, composed, and relentlessly competitive.

Then came the phenomenon that was Raymond van Barneveld. His move from the BDO to the PDC in 2006 changed darts forever. Within a year, “Barney” stunned the darting world by beating Phil Taylor in the 2007 PDC World Championship final — a moment that redefined the sport and inspired an entire generation of Dutch players. Over the years, Van Barneveld lifted multiple major titles, including two UK Opens, the Grand Slam of Darts, and the Premier League, becoming a genuine global superstar.

Michael van Gerwen took things to yet another level. Explosive, intense, and impossibly consistent at his best, “Mighty Mike” became a winning machine after his breakout in 2012. With three World Championships and countless other major titles, Van Gerwen is widely regarded as the greatest Dutch player — and one of the most dominant forces in darts history.

Along the way, Co Stompé added to the legacy by winning the inaugural PDC World Cup of Darts alongside Van Barneveld in 2010, while Danny Noppert’s UK Open triumph in 2022 proved that Dutch darts continues to evolve and thrive.

Now it’s Van Veen’s turn to write his chapter. His composure under pressure and natural scoring power have already earned comparisons to a young Van Gerwen, and his maturity on stage has impressed fans around the world. His run to the European Championship title — capped by a dramatic deciding leg win over Humphries — marked a breakthrough moment not only for his career but for the next wave of Dutch talent making their mark on the PDC circuit.

Van Veen’s victory makes him the sixth Dutchman to claim a major PDC title, joining Scholten, Van Barneveld, Stompé, Van Gerwen and Noppert. It also underlines the continuing strength of the Netherlands as a darting powerhouse. Once the game’s epicentre was firmly rooted in the UK, but the Dutch influence has reshaped the sport on a global level — from packed arenas in Amsterdam and Rotterdam to millions of fans watching around the world.

As of now, Van Veen sits seventh in the world rankings — second only to Van Gerwen among Dutch players — and looks destined for many more big nights under the lights. With youth, confidence and a major trophy already in hand, his name now stands proudly alongside the greats he grew up watching.

If there were any doubts about the next era of Dutch dominance, Gian van Veen has just answered them. The future has arrived — and it’s orange.