"Really need to build up over the coming days, otherwise it’ll be difficult": Gian van Veen's Premier League Darts Berlin return in doubt amid kidney stone aftermath

Gian van Veen faces a tense race against the clock ahead of the next Premier League Darts night in Berlin. The Dutch star missed both last week’s Premier League night in Dublin and the Euro Tour in Belgium due to kidney stones, which even landed him in hospital. He is cautiously improving, but a full recovery is still a long way off.

In the latest episode of the podcast Darts Draait Door, Van Veen offers an open look at his current physical condition. It shows he still needs to build himself back up significantly to be able to compete at all. “I notice I’ve lost a lot of strength and energy over the past week, I get tired very quickly,” he admits. These are signs that his body is still very much recovering from the tough period he has just been through.

The darter tried to take it easy over the weekend by spending time with family, but even that proved quite taxing. “I was with family this past weekend and I noticed that all those stimuli are still very exhausting,” said Van Veen. It underlines the impact of his hospital stay and the kidney stones. While elite athletes are usually used to pressure and tension, he now seems to struggle with relatively everyday situations.

A first attempt to train again also showed he is still far from his usual level. “I also threw for a quarter of an hour on Sunday, but I was completely spent and wiped out. I really need to build up over the coming days, otherwise it’ll be difficult.” Those words underscore the current doubt about his availability for the upcoming match night of the Premier League Darts in the German capital.

That doubt is understandable. The Premier League Darts is known as one of the most intense tournaments on the calendar. Players must be not only in top physical shape, but also mentally sharp in an environment full of noise, lights, and thousands of passionate fans. For someone who says he’s already overstimulated during a family visit, the step to a roaring darts arena seems particularly big.

Van Veen remains realistic, despite his ambition to return as soon as possible. “I’m going to do everything I can, but the Premier League Darts isn’t what it’s all about in the end, as great as it is,” he says. That shows he hasn’t lost sight of the bigger picture. A rushed comeback could backfire and lead to a longer absence.

He also receives that advice on the podcast from former professional darter Vincent van der Voort, who stresses the importance of patience and caution. “Don’t start back too quickly, if I were him I’d be very careful. If you’re already that tired after fifteen minutes of throwing...” It’s a clear warning, based on experience at the top level.

Van Veen agrees with that, but he is mainly looking ahead. He is relieved that things are improving, because a few days earlier the situation was much more concerning. “I tried for two days to pass the kidney stones so I wouldn’t need surgery, but that wasn’t possible due to an infection.” That period took a heavy toll and also explains why his recovery needs time.

The coming days will be crucial for his participation in the Premier League night in Berlin. If his recovery progresses quickly enough, an appearance is still possible. But if the fatigue persists, it seems wiser not to take any risks. For a player with long-term ambitions, health is ultimately more important than one night on stage.

Whether Van Veen will actually take to the oche therefore remains uncertain for now. One thing is clear, though: his body will have the final say.