“I don’t have any ill feelings towards him” – Gian Van Veen looks to bury the hatchet with Luke Littler after Premier League fireworks

For Gian van Veen, the Premier League Darts night in Rotterdam is far more than just another stop on the calendar. At Ahoy, he is returning to a stage where he once sat in the stands as a young darts fan, dreaming of one day being part of it himself.

Now he comes back as a player, as a Premier League contender, and as the highest ranked Dutch player in the world. That makes this night in Rotterdam special, emotionally charged and, in some ways, historic.

In the build-up, Van Veen is still trying to channel the occasion more into excitement than nerves. For now, the tension has not yet taken hold. Instead, there is mainly the feeling that he is about to experience something he had spent years imagining from afar.

“No nerves at all right now, just excitement. I think tomorrow, when it’s about 20 minutes before the game, I’ll start to feel some nerves, especially when I can hear the crowd from the practice room. But for now, it’s just excitement,” he says on a media call.

The venue itself makes the night even more meaningful for Van Veen. Rotterdam Ahoy is not just another arena to him, but a place he visited as a child to watch darts. He knows the atmosphere, the walk-ons, the energy and the chaos in the crowd. That is exactly why it still feels almost surreal that he is now part of it himself.

“The World Championship final got me pretty excited as well. But apart from that, this is definitely the most excited I’ve been. On paper it’s just a Premier League night, but for me it’s extra special to play here in Rotterdam, in a venue I came to as a kid and as a fan. To now be on that stage, it doesn’t get more special.”

Those memories go back a long way. Van Veen was still just a boy when he went to the Premier League in Rotterdam with his family. Back then, he looked at the stage as a spectator, with no real thought that he would ever stand there himself, let alone in the position he now holds.

“Not at all. Probably not even as a player, let alone as the Dutch number one. So much has happened, especially in the last two and a half years. It’s a dream coming true.”

As special as the night in Rotterdam is, Van Veen knows it will not be only an emotional occasion. The sporting stakes are significant too. At this stage of the Premier League, every point, every win and every opportunity to stay in the race for the top four matters.

Van Veen knows his level has not always been at its best in recent weeks, but he remains firmly in contention. That gives him encouragement, even if he knows the margins are small. “Very important. I think everyone would agree I haven’t been playing my best darts in the last couple of weeks, but I’m still in the mix and that’s what matters. Last week against Michael didn’t go my way, and tomorrow is another big one against Luke Humphries. He’s only one point behind me, so he can overtake me. My goal is to get to the O2, so it’s a big game.”

The fact Van Veen is still in the playoff hunt is already notable in itself. In recent weeks, the Dutchman has not only had to deal with fluctuations in form, but also physical setbacks. His kidney stone problems affected his preparation, his rhythm and his energy levels.

Although the pain has now gone, he does not yet feel fully back to his best. “Yes and no. I’m not fully at 100%. I don’t have any pain and I can do what I want, but I still lack a bit of energy. I noticed that in the Euro Tour when I had to play late — it was just too late for me to perform at my best. But it’s part of the recovery process, and I’ll get there.”

According to Van Veen, the aftermath had more of an impact than may have been obvious at first glance. It was not only the missed week itself that mattered, but also the period that followed. “It could be. Michael missed a week as well, so it’s not just about him. But missing that week was important, especially because I was due to play Michael. If I’d won that, we’d have been level on points. Also, in Berlin the week after I wasn’t ready to be back on stage, so it probably cost me two or even three weeks. But it’s part of life — it didn’t help my game, but it is what it is.”

For Van Veen, Rotterdam will therefore be a night where several layers come together. There is the emotion of a home event, the pride of playing in his own country, and at the same time the pressure of a crucial Premier League tie. The challenge is not to let the occasion become too big, while also not ignoring what makes it so unique.

“It depends how you start. If you start well, it’s easier to enjoy it. If you go 2–0 or 3–0 down, it’s more difficult. But he’s right — especially playing your first Premier League night at home, you have to enjoy it to some extent. At the same time, we’re in the final five weeks, so it’s about getting points and closing the gap. It’s a bit of both.”

The support of the Dutch crowd in Rotterdam will naturally be strong, especially for the two home players in the field. But Van Veen knows that support also comes with another side. Playing in your own country does not only bring energy. It also brings expectation.

“It’s nice to have the crowd behind you, but it brings extra pressure as well because you want to perform for them, not just yourself. I’ve not always played my best in the Netherlands for that reason. There will be some different pressure tomorrow, but I’m mainly looking forward to it. The most important thing is to enjoy the experience.”

On paper, Van Veen arrives in Rotterdam as the highest ranked Dutch player in the Order of Merit. Even so, he refuses to describe himself as the leading Dutch name in the sport. In his view, Michael van Gerwen has simply done too much for that title to be handed over so easily.

“It’s difficult to say. On rankings I’m number one, but I said at the World Championship when I overtook him that I still feel like Michael is the Dutch number one because of everything he’s achieved and what he’s done for the sport in my country.”

Alongside the sporting storyline, the fallout from the incident with Luke Littler continues to follow Van Veen around. If both men win their opening matches, they could meet again. The media remain interested in that storyline, but Van Veen himself appears more inclined to let it settle.

“Not really. He’s said his piece and I still have the same opinion as I had two weeks ago. If he wants to bury the hatchet, that’s fine. I don’t have any ill feelings towards him, but I don’t know how it is from his side. We’ll see how it goes.”

He has also not changed his position on Littler’s more recent comments. “He’s entitled to his opinion. I still have mine and it hasn’t changed since the incident. I’ve watched it back and I stand by what I said. We just move forward.”

Van Veen understands why this kind of tension attracts attention. In a sport where personality, emotion and stage presence all play such a big role, rivalry and friction will always interest both fans and media. He does not deny that either. “I enjoy it — but only when I’m not involved. It’s good for the sport, but you don’t want to be part of it.”

In Rotterdam, Van Veen will likely have heavy backing, while his opponents may well be met with hostility. He knows how that feels, because earlier this season he has already been on the receiving end in places like Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast.

“I’ve been on the other side this year — in Cardiff, Manchester and Belfast — so I know how it feels. Dutch fans can be quite tough on opponents, so I expect that tomorrow. It is what it is — next week we’re somewhere else and it’ll be different again.”

Van Veen feels booing has become part of the modern darts environment, even if he draws a clear line when it comes to whistling. “Booing is part of the game now and you expect it in certain arenas. You can deal with that. But whistling is worse. It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the game.”

His changed approach to hostile crowd reactions comes down largely to experience. Where he once took it personally, he now sees it differently. “The first time you get booed, it feels personal. But it’s not — fans might just support your opponent or have a bet on them. Next week it could be the other way around. You just shouldn’t take it personally.”