Gian van Veen praises compatriot Wessel Nijman: ''I think Wessel is naturally a bigger talent than me''

The pool of death, that's how Group H was dubbed at the Grand Slam of Darts. Top Dutch talents Gian van Veen and Wessel Nijman both ended up in that pool, as did Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock.

Van Veen was perhaps given the least chance of surviving the group stage prior to the tournament, but 'GVV The Giant' is already sure of a place in the last sixteen after two victories. In his last group match on Tuesday night, Van Veen will play Nijman, who has just been eliminated.

According to Van Veen, Nijman is the greater talent of the two Dutchmen. ''I don't think you're saying anything crazy then,'' he answered AD.nl when asked if he and Nijman are the two biggest talents in the Netherlands. ''I know him well from the juniors. Even then he was one of the best in the Netherlands. I think Wessel is naturally a bigger talent than me. He is calm, stoic, confident and knows how good he is. He is not afraid of anyone.''

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''It all looks a little easier than with me,'' Van Veen continued. ''But it doesn't get in my way. I had an opponent once who got angry because he couldn't see what my score was because of the position of my arrows. Well, that's your problem, right?''

Meanwhile, Van Veen has focused full time on his darts career. Last year he was still finishing his studies and had a side job, but nowadays Van Veen can call himself a full-time dart player. ''Last year I was busy with my studies and final internship. I really went from place to place and back again. I had no time for myself, I was just cramming everything into a schedule. Your play can suffer from that, for sure. Also in terms of feeling guilty towards your work if you want time off at the last minute.

However, the 22-year-old darter fully understands that people have jobs on the side. ''For me it was easy. I live with my parents and don't have to worry about a mortgage. When you stop working, you have the pressure that you have to earn your money with darts. You have to win to pay for your house'', said Van Veen.