"He pulls out, then I didn’t do well enough this weekend" - Gian van Veen feeling the pressure to perform alongside van Gerwen

Gian van Veen is set to partner Michael van Gerwen for the very first time at the World Cup of Darts. Van Gerwen makes a return to the fray which has put van Veen under a little bit of pressure to perform with their partnership possibly in jeopardy come future tournaments.

The three-time world champion did not play in the 2022 and 2023 editions but returned for 2024 where the Netherlands suffered a devastating round two defeat. He would again opt to not turn up in Frankfurt, handing van Veen the chance to represent his country for the very first time with Danny Noppert.

Van Gerwen is not the captain of the team being the lower ranked. This puts van Veen in command being the world number three, an unusual position for 'Mighty Mike' but one he will embrace as he looks to form a gleaming partnership with his fellow countryman.

They will not take to the stage until Saturday once the group phase is done and dusted. That is when darts fans can see the pair playing together for the very first time, a tantalising prospect as they hunt for World Cup glory, the first since 2018.

While on paper van Veen was the number one, he admitted that would not be totally true on stage. “On ranking, yes. On persona, no," he said. “It’s a tournament I played in last year with Danny Noppert, and I loved every leg and every match on that stage. I’m really looking forward to getting back there.

“This year, of course, it’s going to be very different with Michael. Danny and I know each other’s games inside out and know each other really well. With Michael it’s going to be different, but I still think we’re going to click on that stage. We’re going to do really well and hopefully on Sunday evening we’ll be lifting that trophy.”

Van Veen has become a darting force in recent times. Winning the European Championship was followed by an incredible run to the final of the PDC World Darts Championship where he was blown away by a rampant Luke Littler.

While his form has not been great as of late, he will be hoping to find his best game alongside van Gerwen. If not, there may be consequences in the future. “If Michael didn’t fancy it, he could easily have pulled out because that’s what he’s done in the past couple of years," van Veen stated.

“He said to me, ‘I don’t know what it’s like to play with you, so I want to give that a go.’ He also told me today that he’s really looking forward to it. Hopefully it’s going to be a great weekend next week. But I know that if Michael and I are allowed to play together again next year and he pulls out, then I didn’t do well enough this weekend. So there’ll be some pressure, but I’m just going to enjoy it and hopefully it’s going to be a great one.”