"Second in the table... call it off now!" - Gian van Veen makes immediate impact with final run on Premier League Darts debut

For Gian van Veen, it was a night he won’t soon forget. His very first Premier League Darts appearance immediately ended with a spot in the final and three valuable points on the board.

And that while he’s the first to admit that, technically speaking, the performance was far from perfect. That’s precisely what might make this opening night all the more telling for the young Dutchman.

“It was quite positive,” Van Veen reflected honestly to Viaplay. “I wasn’t good tonight. Everyone saw that. I wasn’t what I might have expected from myself.”

Those are the words of a player who is critical of his own performance, yet also sees the bigger picture. Because despite patchy scoring and missed doubles, Van Veen still ended the night in the final.

It sounds almost contradictory: unhappy with your game, yet reaching the final on your Premier League debut. Yet that is exactly what Van Veen experienced. “Scoring-wise it didn’t quite click,” he admitted. “But if you still make the final, well, that’s simply a decent night.”

The interviewer noticed that too. On a night when you’d think you need to be at your absolute best, Van Veen clearly wasn’t. And still he won matches. “That’s nice as well,” he said with a smile. “It gives you confidence that it can happen even when you’re not at your best.”

That feeling may be more important than a high average or a spectacular checkout. Knowing that you can survive on off-days at the very highest level is a crucial step in any elite athlete’s development.

In his first matches, Van Veen visibly had to battle. Doubles were missed, legs took longer than desired, but time and again he fought his way back. “Even if you’re not at your best, you don’t go out in the first round straight away,” he explained. “That it still happens gives extra confidence for the coming weeks.”

That resilience is no coincidence. Van Veen is known for strong mentality, someone who doesn’t panic easily. That was clear again tonight. In both his first and second matches he let chances slip on the doubles, but he kept believing in himself. Against Michael van Gerwen the story changed.

In the final, none other than Michael van Gerwen awaited. For Van Veen, an opponent against whom you always want to show something extra. “I’m really gutted about that,” he said candidly. “Scoring-wise I just wasn’t good against Michael. And of course you want to win a night like this. Especially against Michael. That’s also a match you want to win even more.”

The respect for Van Gerwen is evident, but so is the hunger to beat him. That it didn’t happen this time was accepted without excuses. “It just wasn’t there today. I’m disappointed about that, but hey, that’s part of it.”

That level-headed approach fits Van Veen. No exaggerated disappointment, no frustration towards himself, but acceptance that some nights simply don’t yield the maximum, even if you ‘only’ finish runner-up.

Beyond the sporting side, there was the experience. The Premier League Darts is known for large arenas, light shows, and an intense atmosphere. For Van Veen, it was all new. “Amazing,” he said with evident enthusiasm. “It’s great to make my debut here. First Premier League night ever, two matches won and a final reached. I’m enjoying that immensely.”

The setting impressed as well. “Such a vast arena… it looks almost as big as Ahoy,” he was told. Van Veen nodded. “It was beautiful. I really enjoyed it.”

That experience is something many players have to get used to. The Premier League is not comparable to a regular ranking event. Everything is bigger, louder, and more intense. The fact that Van Veen seemed to navigate it effortlessly says a lot about his potential.

At the end of the night, Van Veen could also sum it up in numbers. Three points, a final appearance, and an excellent start in the standings. “Three points in the bag,” he said contentedly. “You can take that home.”

With a wink, he even looked ahead. “Second in the table. They can call it off now as far as I’m concerned. On to The O2.” It’s a joke, but telling. Van Veen clearly feels at home in this company and isn’t looking around shyly. He belongs here, and he knows it.