"I saw his body language change": Gian van Veen was surprised by Luke Humphries negative demeanour during Quarter-Final win

Gian van Veen described the greatest night of his career as “something special” after producing a stunning 5–1 victory over Luke Humphries at the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship — a performance that propelled him into the semi-finals, up to world number three, and made him the new Dutch number one for the first time since 2012.

“Over the moon,” van Veen said afterwards. “As you said, this performance for myself was something special. I’m just so happy to show what I’m capable of on this format, on this stage, in this high-pressure game.”

The quarter-final had been one many had circled as soon as the draw was made, and van Veen admitted he had been no different. “Before the tournament, when everyone saw the draw, they were already looking forward to this quarter-final — and so was I. To show what I’m capable of in this game, to put him under that much pressure, it feels amazing.”

Despite Humphries playing at a high level, van Veen controlled the match from early on, applying relentless pressure and capitalising on missed chances. He believes the occasion alone makes it the finest performance of his career.

“Maybe not average-wise,” he reflected, “but if you look at the occasion, what game it was, playing against the world number two and beating him 5–1 when he played well as well, I think it’s been my best game so far in my career.”

The win had seismic consequences for the rankings. Van Veen now sits third in the world and becomes the Netherlands’ number one — overtaking Michael van Gerwen — a moment he admitted once felt unthinkable.

“To still be in the semi-finals, Dutch number one now and number three in the world, it’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “I couldn’t even dream about it when I was a little kid.”

Growing up, van Veen said Dutch darts heroes felt untouchable. “Especially as a Dutchman, you always looked up to Raymond van Barneveld and then later Michael van Gerwen. I always thought Michael was going to be Dutch number one forever.”

In fact, he admitted that surpassing van Gerwen was never part of the plan. “The goal was to be number two. I never thought I could overtake Michael van Gerwen, so to have done that today is so special.”

Van Veen revealed that much of his freedom in this year’s tournament stemmed from finally winning his first match at Alexandra Palace earlier in the event.

“There was so much pressure on that first game,” he explained. “Even though I was European champion, a Matchplay qualifier and world number ten, I still hadn’t won a game here. To finally win my first ever match was such a relief.”

From that point on, the nerves disappeared. “Once I got that victory, all the pressure was off my shoulders. I didn’t feel nervous at all — even before tonight — and I think that showed.”

A key moment in the match came when van Veen noticed a shift in Humphries’ body language.

“As soon as I hit the first 170, I missed a couple afterwards and I saw his body language change,” he explained. “The first couple of sets he was very positive and scoring really well. Then I started scoring better and he wasn’t.”

Despite sensing vulnerability, van Veen refused to relax. “Even when he’s negative, Luke can still average 100 or 105. As soon as you let your foot off the gas, he’s going to come back at you. So I just kept doing what I was doing.”

He later suggested the pressure of recent head-to-head results may have played a role. “I’d beaten him in the last four games. When he started missing a couple of darts at doubles, I took my chances. He probably felt like, ‘Here we go again.’”

Although van Veen felt calm for most of the contest, the closing stages did bring tension. “Once I went 4–1 up, I started thinking about what could happen if I won one more set,” he admitted. “Then I felt a bit of pressure. Luckily I handled it really well and took out my first match dart — because if I’d missed that, Luke could have come back and it would have been very tricky.”

Next up is a semi-final clash with two-time world champion Gary Anderson, van Veen’s childhood idol.

“My first ever World Championship was in 2011 when he made the final against Adrian Lewis,” he recalled. “To think even 15 years later you could play against him in a semi-final — it’s crazy. I wouldn’t even have thought of that.”

He added: “I’m really looking forward to sharing the biggest stage of them all with him. I’m just going to enjoy the game.”

With Luke Littler, Luke Humphries and Josh Rock all emerging as major forces, van Veen believes something special is developing at the top of the sport.

“The last two years have been dominated by Luke and Luke, they’ve been phenomenal,” he said. “Josh Rock has been phenomenal as well. I feel lucky to even compare myself to them.”

Asked whether he now considers himself an elite player, van Veen remained measured. “Right now, world number three, semi-finalist, beating Luke Humphries again, maybe I’m one of the elite players. But to truly be elite, you have to show it week in, week out. That’s what I still need to do.”

While van Veen admitted he hadn’t yet fully visualised lifting the trophy, he conceded the dream is starting to form.

“When you’re in the semi-finals, you start dreaming,” he said. “It’s going to be very tricky, Gary Anderson next, then Ryan Searle or Luke Littler, but if I keep performing like I did tonight, I’ve got a good chance.”

As for what’s driving him now, the answer is simple. “Not pressure — motivation. The World Championship is the biggest tournament of them all, and that’s what’s driving me right now.”