Glorious Gian van Veen puts in performance of a lifetime to romp into Grand Slam of Darts quarterfinals
PDC
Gian van Veen has very convincingly qualified for the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam of Darts. The 22-year-old Dutchman, who had already impressed in the group stage, was a 10-2 winner Ryan Joyce in the second round, averaging over 106 in the process.
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Van Veen managed to impress the most in the group stage out of all the participants at the Grand Slam of Darts. 'GVV The Giant' was prior to the event perhaps thought to have the least chance of making it to the knockout stage, but emerged victorious in the pool after victories over Josh Rock (5-2), Stephen Bunting (5-1) and Wessel Nijman (5-4).Joyce was responsible for Michael van Gerwen's exit in the group stage. In a straight fight for a spot in the knockout phase, 'Relentless' won 5-4. It is only the first time Van Veen and Joyce have faced each other in an official match.
Van Veen started this match with a good feeling after he had all won his three matches in the group stage. With a 48-finish, he immediately broke through Joyce's leg and on his own leg, Van Veen made it 2-0 according to him. Joyce then put himself on the scoreboard with a 95 finish, but Van Veen made it 3-1 via double 4. Joyce then retained his own leg and both men went into the first break at 3-2. After the break, it was Van Veen who got off to the best start and made it 4-2 with a great 102 finish. Joyce then added another break to take a 5-2 lead.
Three more legs in a row gave him an 8-2 lead. Joyce was unable to make any more darts and then had to surrender his own leg again, so at 9-2 Van Veen needed just one more leg for the win.
Van Veen then settled the score in his favour with a 28-finish. The Dutchman clocked up an average of 106.45 and a doubles percentage of 58.82%. One thing is certain, a Van Veen in this form will be hard to stop in the remainder of this tournament. In the quarter-finals, he will take on the winner of the duel between Gary Anderson and Stephen Bunting, which will be played later tonight.
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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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- Good, absolutely no loss if we never see this dancing goof ever again......no that is not fair. He absolutely cannot and has never been remotely able to dance!richieburnettrocks10-11-2026
- Yes Phil,now the money in the game is bigger than ever,you'd play littler. Well so would I! Retire on your memory Phil,and your successful careerrick6709-11-2026
- And why should he listen to you?Deduce635807-11-2026
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- Probably i will receive a lot of backlash and hate for this reaction, but well, so be it. I am more than sick and tired of those lies of you Barry Hearn. How dare you defend yourself over the back of Fallon’s son! He has a disability and not an illness, so let me correct that for you! I know because I have the exact same disability. I have tried to reach out to Fallon in the past, and offered her to help her and her son, because I was struggling with the same problems, and I understood the boy. I wanted him to have finally someone who understood him. However she told me that she did not want my help, and I have respected Fallon’s choice. I have never asked Fallon for money. They don’t need money in that case. I only ever wanted the best for Fallon and Rory, but I have to be honest about the situation. Fallon should tell the true story and not be forced to tell lies. I don’t hate Fallon, and I don’t begrudge or envy a single penny that she gets, but this situation/case is just not fair. I hate the lies and the dishonesty and injustice. I don’t want Fallon to be hated because there is an unfair disadvantage created. Don’t proclaim your false lies over the back of Rory! I only stand for integrity and justice. I am precisely the one who always sticks up for Fallon. And you don't, you don't give a damn about them. You were never there for them, and now you only want to save your own position! You are just trying to talk your way out of your own bad behavior at the expense of someone with a disability. And to Fallon, I don’t know if this may ever reach you, and you read it, but I want you to know I love you and I love your son Rory very much, I am sorry how things developed and went. I hope you and Harriet are still friends. I am sorry if I were too persistent to you, or you experienced it that way, but it was never my intention. Please understand I have autism as well. As Barry Hearn would say, I am only just a human being too, and I also make mistakes and misjudge things sometimes. I promise you I did everything out of the deepest love and care for you and Rory. If I were you, I should just keep all the money, only please never be dishonest or tell lies anymore for Barry Hearn, or anyone else. I hope you have the best life, and I wish nothing more than the best for you. I have always loved the two of you. Farewell.Hiddo05-11-2026
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- She's technically not a professional though as she doesn't hold a pro tour card.mr-pablo04-11-2026
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