Gian van Veen: "Whistling at Humphries? He's World Number One, it shouldn't happen"

Gian van Veen reflected after delivering the biggest win of his career at the 2025 World Matchplay in Blackpool, stunning defending champion and world number one Luke Humphries

It was a tense and emotional first-round battle on the Winter Gardens stage which saw 'GVV The Giant' win 10-8 in the end to move through to face Danny Noppert.

“It means the world,” van Veen said in the press afterwards. “Today, when I walked in here at the Winter Gardens, I looked back at last year’s game where I missed five or six match darts against Rob Cross. I felt really relaxed on that stage today, just like I did last year. This win means the world to me. To beat the reigning champion, the world number one, Luke Humphries it’s an amazing feeling.”

Van Veen reflected openly on his painful exit last year and how it crept back into his mind during the match.

“Yes, especially the first one,” he said, when asked if he had flashbacks to last year after missing darts at the bull. “Last year, I missed one dart at the bull and it was really far away. My first attempt this year on the 161 wasn’t even in the 25, so it was far away again. I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ The second one was at least closer. The double four, when it went in, was such a relief.”

Though known for his confidence, van Veen admitted: “I’m normally confident, but with that double four, I was just praying, ‘Please go in.’ When it did, it was a huge relief.”

But did it banish the darting demons of 12 months ago for Van Veen? “Yes, 100 percent. Last year, I was 8–4 down in that game, so I was just happy to make it a good match in the end. But missing those match darts really hurt. To come back here and finally hit one of those match darts felt like putting it right.”

There was also a moment of sportsmanship between the two players following the final dart.

“Luke is such a true champion,” van Veen revealed. “He said to me, ‘You really deserve this win. I hope you go on a great run in this tournament. All the best.’ He’s a great guy. Of course, he was gutted because he was the reigning champion, but he still wished me well. He’s the true world number one.”

Despite the magnitude of the win, van Veen was stoic as he always is about his ambitions from here on out and that he is taking it one game at a time.

“To be honest, not really. Not yet, at least,” he said when asked if he believes he can win the tournament. “We're still only in the last 16. Beating the world number one is amazing, but it’s just one game. I need four more to win the title. I’ll just take it game by game. Next up is Danny Noppert, who’s a good friend of mine. That should be a good match.”

“Before the tournament, when I saw the draw, I didn’t look beyond the first game. I wasn’t thinking about winning the title. Just game by game, and we’ll see.”

Van Veen made no effort to downplay the importance of this night in comparison to a career thus far continuing to garner achievements.

“Yes, 100 percent,” he said. “Before this, my biggest win was probably at the European Championship, beating Michael van Gerwen almost two years ago. But this feels even bigger. Beating Luke Humphries, the world number one, here at the iconic Winter Gardens especially after the agony of missing match darts last year. I think this is the biggest win of my career.”

Asked whether he needed the win to avoid a repeating pattern of near-misses, van Veen said: “Yes, 100 percent. If I had missed that double four and Luke took it out to make it 9–9 and then won, I don't think I’d be coming back next year with much confidence. Missing twice in a row would’ve been hard to take. So I’m relieved that double four went in, it’s a big milestone for my career.”

Humphries showed signs of being tense in the latter portion of the match something that Van Veen picked up on.

“Yes, 100 percent. When I made it 8–7, I started with a 140 and then a 180. Luke walked to the board and snatched his darts out—it was clear he was frustrated,” he explained.

“I had a similar experience a few months ago against Luke Littler. When you sense that your opponent is struggling, it takes some pressure off. I thought, ‘Okay, he’s angry—just stick to your game.’ That helped me stay relaxed and finish the match strong.”

Van Veen admitted in the outset though that he wasn’t overly optimistic when the draw was made.

“Honestly, I thought, ‘That’s a tough draw.’ I didn’t immediately see it as an opportunity,” he said. “But if you beat the world number one and reigning champion, of course the draw opens up. Still, after last year, I just wanted an easier first-round draw to get that first win. Looking back, though, beating Luke may have been the perfect draw for me. It gives me massive confidence going forward.”

“I felt really comfortable on stage. I hit loads of 180s, which I don’t normally do, and that gave me confidence.”

But the nerves arrived late: “At the end, yes—I was nervous. You always are when you’re about to beat a top player. But nerves show you care. I’m just really happy I got the job done.”

2025 has already been a standout year for the Dutchman. “At the start of the year, I was ranked around 28 or 29, and I wanted to push toward the top 16. I did want to win a ranking tournament, which I’ve done, a full PDC Players Championship. But I didn’t set any strict goals. I just wanted to keep improving,” he said.

But he doesn't put himself under any pressure to rise. “Not really,” he admitted. “I don’t put too much pressure on myself. Of course I want to climb the rankings, but I focus on playing my game and doing well in tournaments. If I end up in the top 16, great. If it’s 18th or 19th, that’s still good. I just want to show what I’m capable of and I think I did that today.”

While the Blackpool crowd is known for its energy, van Veen also saw the downside.

“Yeah, especially the second time it happened. He got whistled at and missed a couple of chances, and I took mine. Then it happened again. I should’ve focused on my game, but I felt bad for him, and I think that’s why I missed the 25 to go 6–4 up. He took it out to level at 5–5, and I was fuming at myself for letting it affect me. It’s not good, he’s the world number one and reigning champion. That kind of thing shouldn't happen.”

But while Humphries semi-cracked under that pressure, he was asked if he deals with it the same.

“Hopefully,” he smiled. “I can't say for sure. Last year, the pressure got to me. I’ve played in the World Championship twice and lost in the first round both times. So I’m not perfect under pressure. But today, I got the job done, and that’s what matters.”

He continued, “With more experience, even just from today, I think I’m improving at handling pressure.”

“Massive,” van Veen said, when asked how important it was to get that first Matchplay win. “You always want to win your first match at the World Matchplay—but to do it by beating the world number one and reigning champion? You couldn’t dream of a better start.”

And he’s already hungry for more. “It’s such an iconic venue, and now I’ll get to come back. I’m looking forward to many more matches on this stage.”

Reflecting on his progress since 2024, van Veen noted how far he’s come.

“Way better,” he said. “Last year I was really nervous—even just walking into the venue. This year, I know the practice room, I know the hotel, the travel. It’s small stuff, but it helps.”

“I felt great in practice and great on stage. Coming back here for the second time, knowing what it’s like—it’s a huge difference. I was a good player 12 months ago, but I feel way better now.”

But it's not only on the oche that he is thriving. “Me and my girlfriend just bought a house a few days ago,” he smiled. “I hope she’s working hard on it while I’m here! I’m staying in Blackpool all week, and hopefully when I get home, everything’s sorted!”

Asked if having a mortgage adds pressure: “No, not really. Not at the moment, at least.”

“I think last year everything felt new—this tournament, the World Grand Prix, all the majors. This year, I feel like I belong here, and that’s a big change. I’ve definitely grown.”

Asked whether he’d have won this same match a year ago, van Veen was honest: “No.”

“Last year I was really nervous on those match darts. Even though they were close, I felt the pressure. Today I was nervous and praying, but I felt much more confident. This match last year? I’d probably have lost it.”