VAN VEEN WORRIED ABOUT FINALS LOSING “PATTERN”

GIAN VAN VEEN admits he is worried about the “pattern” of losing finals. 

The big Dutchman went down to Stephen Bunting in the Premier League on Thursday night and has now been defeated in his last SIX deciders.

Van Veen, 23, was thrashed by Luke Littler in the World Championship final on January 3 and has since lost the Bahrain Masters, Premier League nights one, three and four and the Poland Darts Open.  

‘The Giant’ was clearly frustrated after his latest defeat in Belfast and told Viaplay: “The quarter-final was fine, the semi-final was good and then you think in the final: now it has to happen, and then it’s again – feels to me – dramatic.

“People know that I keep losing finals lately. Then you get Bunting and you play so poorly.

“I hoped it was a one-off, but now it’s becoming a pattern and you don’t want that. You just need to win one. Then hopefully it’s done.

“I’m getting a bit tired of losing finals. But it’s part of the game. I’m happy to make another final.”

Despite his disappointment, Van Veen is arguably the second best player in the world right now. 

He may not have won a night, but three runners-up placings means that the Dutchman is the most consistent player in the event and currently second in the table behind Jonny Clayton. 

Van Veen also hit his first-ever nine-darter on TV in the Poland Darts Open final, eventually losing to Littler.