“He really played like a top-10 player in the world” – Van der Voort raves about Van Veen after monster performance with a 108 average

Gian van Veen made a superb impression during his second-round match at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship. Although it started precariously and he almost fell 2-0 behind, he then tore everything apart and finished with an average of over 108. He was a guest last night on the latest episode of the Darts Draait Door podcast, where Vincent van der Voort and Damien Vlottes also voiced their admiration.

“It was a top night,” said Van Veen himself, who mainly seemed relieved that it came good. Because yes, he lost the first set. And at the Worlds, where dropping a set can have big consequences, that immediately fuels doubt. Or as Vlottes put it: “Then you thought, ooh, this is one of those typical Gian matches, right?” Van der Voort, however, saw something else: maturity. Stability. And above all: a scoring level that gradually plays opponents out of the match.

Van der Voort could not contain his enthusiasm. “Gian really played like a top-10 player in the world. Just very mature and just keep on pumping.” According to Van der Voort, the difference wasn’t even necessarily in that one lost set. It was in the way Van Veen regrouped. “I didn’t think for a moment: he’s starting to panic. I didn’t have that.”

That picture matched how Van Veen described himself. Where twelve months ago he was still a bundle of nerves, he now feels like a different darter. “I’m a completely different player now than I was twelve months ago. Twelve months ago I was so nervous for that match.” He was referring back to last year, when he faced Ricardo Pietreczko in the second round and immediately “had a couple of nasty checkouts fired past his ears.” Then you’re on the back foot straight away and it becomes a battle with yourself.

This Worlds is different. Not only because Van Veen has a different season behind him, but also because he already had a match in his legs. That helps: feeling the stage and letting the hustle of the arena settle into your system.

Anyone posting a 108 average at the Worlds makes a statement. Period. Van Veen, however, remained strikingly cool about it. “We’re in the last 32 now. So if you’re already talking about a world title now, you’re very early.”

At the same time, he did dare to say what such an average means. “If I keep averaging 108, I’ll go a long way.” But he immediately tempered it: he doesn’t assume he’ll just repeat that. The core lies in plan B: also winning when it’s not flowing. “Then you just have to make sure that if you’re below par, you’re still good enough to win those matches.”

“If you average 108 over a best of 13 sets… then some really crazy things have to happen for you not to win,” concluded Van der Voort. “If you look at how many top players are falling. And that they’re also just really not playing well… then this is of course lovely when you’re playing this well yourself.”

Because Gerwyn Price was surprisingly knocked out in the second round, Van Veen automatically moved up among the favorites for the title. But is that justified? Van der Voort thought so, especially given the rivals’ form. “Humphries was also really good. Littler is basically always good. But beyond that you can’t name another one yet.”

Van Veen himself saw it very differently. “I’m now in the last 32. That’s the furthest I’ve ever gone. I don’t even know what it’s like to come back to London after Christmas. Or to be in the last 16, or a quarterfinal or a semifinal… let alone play a final.”

Vlottes was already looking at the bracket. “It’s open up to the quarterfinals,” he said, to which Van Veen dryly replied: “Very awkward.” But the message was clear: with a possible path via Madars Razma and then Ricky Evans or Charlie Manby, there’s a chance. Van der Voort immediately made it clear this should be achievable. “If you’re in this form, you should be making the quarterfinals.”