"It's a bit prickly and not comfortable to sleep with" - Gian van Veen debunks image in bed with European Championship trophy

After a thrilling final victory over Luke Humphries, Gian van Veen has claimed his first major title — the European Darts Championship. The young Dutchman reflected on his triumph with a broad smile during an appearance on the podcast Darts Draait Door, also addressing the now-famous photo of him posing with the trophy in bed.

"Yes, I slept with the trophy" Van Veen laughed when asked about the images circulating on social media. "Well, just for the photo though. After that, I put it neatly on the bedside table and went to sleep. That cup’s quite big and heavy — it doesn’t really fit in bed. Besides, it’s a bit prickly, not very comfortable to sleep with," he joked.

Van Veen then looked back on the final against the world number one — a match that didn’t start smoothly. "I actually began quite relaxed, but was soon 4–1 down," he recalled. "In the third leg I missed a few important doubles — four or five chances, I think. Still, I stayed calm. I thought: it’s a long way to go, anything can still happen."

That level-headed mindset proved crucial. "Against Humphries, you have to make sure he doesn’t run too far ahead, or it’s over. I knew I had to stay close, and I did. Legs two and three of that comeback were really good. Once I pulled level and even got in front, I felt the momentum shift my way."

As the match reached its closing stages, Humphries once again demonstrated why he’s among the very best. "That 85 finish from him was really annoying," Van Veen admitted. "You’re standing there, thinking you’ll get a chance, and then he just takes it out. At 10–10 I thought: this could get tricky. And then he starts the next leg with 140 and 180… you just know it’s going to be tough."

Despite the pressure, Van Veen remained composed, and his tactical awareness ultimately made the difference. "In the previous leg I missed a 100 finish, and I thought: if I don’t hit a treble 20 now, I’ll switch straight to 16s. I really should’ve made that decision earlier. Tops isn’t really my favourite — I prefer double 16. The treble 16 feels nice too, especially under pressure, because you’ve got a bit more vertical room to work with."

He explained how the adjustment came about: "I thought my first dart would fall under the treble 20, so I could use it as a marker. But when I saw it land a little higher, I switched to 16 straight away. I didn’t hesitate for a second."

With this victory, Gian van Veen has firmly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in world darts. At just 22, he’s not only lifted his first major trophy but also captured the hearts of fans with his laid-back personality, sharp humour, and mature composure on stage.

"I just enjoyed it," he said with a smile. "This is what you dream of as a little boy — winning a final against someone like Humphries. That’s no small thing. But maybe the best part is that I stayed true to myself.

And that trophy? It’s got a nice spot in the living room now. I don’t need it in bed anymore," Van Veen laughed.