"I nearly quit darts. I felt like I didn’t want to play anymore": Gian van Veen nearly settled for office job away from the oche

Gian van Veen produced one of the performances of his career to kick off the 2025 European Championship in Dortmund — and afterwards, the Dutchman opened up on how close he once came to walking away from the sport, his rise into the world’s top 15, and his growing confidence on the big stage.

Van Veen saw off Ryan Searle 10-2 with a 109.92 average, seven 180's and 10/15 on the doubles and said he nearly quit darts previously. “I nearly quit darts. I felt like I didn’t want to play anymore,” Van Veen admitted as per DartsNews after his emphatic second round win. “But I kept on going, and at this moment I’m really happy I did — because I could have had an office job from nine to five every day. Here I am.

“It’s a struggle, dartitis. I know what it’s like, but winning games and getting confidence is what helped me to get through it. It’s been a massive road, but I’m lucky I’m still playing darts.”

That determination paid off as Van Veen delivered a sensational display on the European Championship stage, averaging over 107 in his victory.

“Yes and no,” he said when asked if he realised how good his performance was during the match. “I think when I was like 6–2 or 7–2 up, I looked at the average on the screen and saw 107. I was like, it’s not bad. I was just hoping to continue with it, and then in the end to see it was even better than what I saw is always good. Averages and good performances are always nice, but at the end you just want to get the result — and that’s what I’ve done today.”

When asked if it was his best display on TV so far, the Dutchman reflected: “Maybe. Last year at the Grand Slam I had some high averages. I think I beat Ryan Joyce in the last 16 with a 106 or 107 in the best of 19 as well. But I think in such a long format, yes, this is one of my best performances on TV.”

That level of consistency has been a theme throughout Van Veen’s year — and it’s one he hopes can lead to silverware soon. “Yes, of course,” he said. “I’ve been showing it on the Euro Tour for the whole year. Whenever I lost a game it was always a high-quality game. I never disappointed myself with the averages either — I never dropped down below 90 or something on the big stage. I always knew this wasn’t the limit, but of course to do it here on TV at the European Championship and show what I’m capable of is always nice. Who knows, maybe a big title is around the corner.”

The 23-year-old’s journey from dartitis to the world’s elite has become an inspirational story in itself — one that many struggling players can relate to.

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel and you can overcome anything if you’ve got the right mindset,” Van Veen agreed. “As you said, when I struggled with dartitis I nearly quit darts. I felt like I didn’t want to play anymore. I kept on going and at this moment I’m really happy I did. It’s been a massive road, but I’m lucky I’m still playing darts.”

After such a dominant performance, talk inevitably turned to what might come next — including the potential of a Premier League debut. “Hopefully,” Van Veen smiled. “I’m always happy to be in the conversation for being in the Premier League. If everyone mentions my name, I’m already happy. As soon as I get the invite, I 100% accept it.

“I’m still number 16 or 18… well, 15 now! There are only eight players in there so there are so many before me. But as long as I keep putting in these performances, then who knows.”

On commentary, former professional Chris Mason labelled Van Veen a “generational talent” — a compliment the young Dutchman took humbly. “Of course it’s amazing,” he said. “‘Generational talent’ — I’m in the same generation as Luke Littler, so it’s a bit difficult to say I’m a generational talent. But to see where I came from in the past three years has gone so quickly. Top 16 in the world now — it’s obviously amazing to hear these words from such great players like Chris Mason.”

Consistency has been key to Van Veen’s rise, and he believes experience has played a huge part in that.

“I think experience,” he said when asked what’s changed this season. “All the venues I’ve come to, I’ve already been there before. I know what it’s like in the practice area, on stage, even with press conferences and social media — I already know what’s coming.

“I think that’s the massive change this year. That’s why I feel even more comfortable than I was last year. I think that’s why I can produce good averages week in, week out. That’s what I’m doing at the moment — and as long as it’s happening like this, I’m really enjoying it.”

Next up for Van Veen is a second-round clash with either Ryan Joyce or Martin Schindler — and if it’s the German crowd favourite, the Dutchman knows exactly what to expect.

“I think so,” he said on coping with the atmosphere. “I’ve played Martin loads of times in Germany before in the European Tour, so I know what it’s like to silence the crowd. If you start well like I did today, if you get 4–1, 5–1 or 5–2 up, you silence them.

“Hopefully don’t give him a sniff so the crowd gets a chance to support him. That’s the job you need to do when you play Martin here in Germany — if you don’t, it’s always going to be a difficult task. Martin is a fantastic player, a top 16 player himself, so it’s going to be a difficult one. Even if Ryan beats Martin, it’s going to be tough. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

For Van Veen, Dortmund holds a special place — it was here two years ago that he reached his first major semi-final, and he still feels the connection every time he returns.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “Two years ago I made my first and only ever major semi-final here. It’s always nice to be back — it’s only two and a half hours away from my home, one of the closest ones as well. It’s always special to be back here.

“At the start of the year, when all the European tournaments are happening, the aim is to be here in Dortmund at the end of the year. I’m always happy to be here — of course it’s a special tournament.”

And as for another Dortmund favourite — Borussia Dortmund — the Dutchman laughed about his attempts to catch a game while competing.

“Last year I went to Borussia Mönchengladbach for the last game against Wolfsburg,” he recalled. “It ended 1–0 or 0–0 — it wasn’t a very exciting game!”

Has he got tickets for this weekend? “No, I’ll be working!” he smiled. “I would love to get some tickets for tonight. Who knows, it’s going to be a great atmosphere. Hopefully I’ll be there.”