DREAM DEBUT! In our opening match of the night, Gian van Veen produced an incredible display to dispatch Damon Heta on his European Championship debut! That's the performance of the tournament so far! #ECDarts | R1 đź“ş bit.ly/2023ECLive
Gian van Veen produces best ever performance from European Championship debutant, averages 107 in Damon Heta drubbing
PDCFriday, 27 October 2023 at 19:58
Gian van Veen made his debut at the European Championship Darts in no uncertain fashion. It was a best ever display on first attempt for Van Veen as he gave Damon Heta a drubbing in the first round of the major tournament in Dortmund.
Van Veen had already shown Heta his capabilities earlier this season on the Euro Tour. At the European Darts Matchplay, 'The Heat' was beaten 6-0 by Van Veen, who then threw an average of 114.
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He started the game strong again. He broke Heta in the first leg with a 70 finish and then made it 2-0 with a 14-darter. A 144 finish for a 12-darter made it 3-0, after which Van Veen hit another 72 to extend the lead to 4-0.
It wasn't until the fifth leg that Heta was finally able to get on the scoreboard. Any hope of a comeback was immediately dashed by a 12-darter from Veen for 5-1. The Dutchman then finished the job with a 13-darter for the match.
Van Veen's average eventually ended at 107.34, the highest average ever by a debutant Also, he achieved a 67 percent finish percentage.
Van Veen has to wait and see who will be his next opponent in the last sixteen at the European Championships, but it is certain that it will be a Northern Irishman. He will meet the winner of the mutual clash between Daryl Gurney and Josh Rock.
Also through is a player who has played this tournament six times prior with no first round win as Krzysztof Ratajski saw off Joe Cullen 6-3.
'The Polish Eagle' soared to success with a 94 average, two 180's and the difference being on the outer ring with Cullen left frustrated at 20% on doubles. This was despite hitting a 98 average and five 180's.
In particular, Ratajski had a spell where he missed a nine-darter and then returned in the requisite leg for a 121 checkout which saw Cullen go 4-2 down and he was left shaking his head and lamenting his poor form in Dortmund.
But it is Ratajski who will join the Dutch Dynamo in the second round tomorrow.
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