This is why many Tour Card holders hope Gian van Veen will become youth world champion on Sunday night

Sunday is not only the final day of the Players Championship Finals, but also traditionally the final of the PDC World Youth Championship. For the first time, a Dutchman is guaranteed to win this tournament, as the fourteenth edition of this event will see two Dutchmen face each other in the final.

Gian van Veen is in the final of the PDC World Youth Championship, which is open to players under 24, for the second year in a row. Last year, however, 'GVV The Giant' lost in the final to teen sensation Luke Littler. This year, however, Van Veen will see the big favourite for the youth world title against compatriot Jurjen van der Velde. Both Dutchmen are assured participation in the Grand Slam of Darts in 2025 by their final place.

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Apart from prestige and a hefty sum of money - the winner gets £10,000 and the losing finalist £5,000 - there is little else at stake for Van Veen. After all, the world youth champion gets to compete in the World Darts Championship in Alexandra Palace, but Van Veen has already qualified for that tournament via the regular PDC Order of Merit. However, that does not apply to Van der Velde. The 21-year-old dart player from Zevenhuizen is thus one win away from a spot at the World Darts Championship. Many Tour Card holders, however, hope that Van der Velde will take the world title.

Here's the thing. One day after the final of the PDC World Youth Championship, the last qualifying tournament for the World Darts Championship will be played. Tour Card holders who have not yet qualified will divide the last starting places for the tournament in Alexandra Palace. If Van Veen becomes youth world champion, there will be an extra Worlds ticket to distribute at that qualifying tournament. Currently there are three starting spots available, but with a youth world title for Van Veen there will be four.

A host of well-known players will compete in the final qualifying tournament for the World Darts Championship on Monday. Among others, Mervyn King, Andy Baetens, Jose de Sousa, Berry van Peer, Jeffrey de Zwaan, Steve Beaton, Boris Krcmar, Vincent van der Voort, Simon Whitlock and Jelle Klaasen hope to take their last chance there.

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