VAN VEEN READY TO BE FEARED FORCE

GIAN VAN VEEN believes he will be a FEARED presence on the major stage this season.

‘The Giant’ has enjoyed a brilliant 12 months on the oche, winning the European Championship and reaching the final of the World Championship.

World No.3 Van Veen is aiming to carry that momentum into the Winmau World Masters, where he faces Ryan Joyce in the opening round.

Van Veen believes opponents will be wary of facing him as he continues to establish himself among the sport’s elite.

He said: “I think early last year everyone knew what I was capable of.

“But I hadn’t really shown it week in and week out on the big stages.

“Now, especially in 2025, I have. My level was really good at the majors and now, obviously, I’m a World Championship finalist.

“People know I can do it on the big stage in high-pressure moments, so I think it will change the way they look at me.

“It is up to me how I deal with it. I still feel the same player I was two or three years ago.

“I have the same confidence and I’m going to be treating the game as I was.”

Van Veen was included in the Premier League this season and is relishing an opening clash with big rival Luke Littler on night one in Newcastle.

He added: “It is good. I said after the World Championship final I know I am going to play him on the first night at Newcastle.

“I am really looking forward to it, especially in the short format, best of 11 legs — anything can happen.

“I know I can play six very good legs, and I know if I do that, I have a very good chance of beating him.

“It is going to be my first Premier League night, which I am looking forward to.

“Luke Littler is here to stay, and he is going to be one of the top dogs for the next five to ten years, maybe even more if he wants to.

“So there will be a rivalry between me and him because I am here to stay as well.

“That is the goal. We are from the same generation, played against each other on the Development Tour.

“I think it is a rivalry I am very much looking forward to. But I need to up my game to give him a good game.”

The Dutchman heads to Milton Keynes in confident mood as he looks to claim a second Premier event title, having reached the Bahrain Masters final earlier this month.

He continued: “It’s better to know the draw because then you know what to expect from your opponent.

“Now, in the leading days up to it, you can practise certain aspects of your game that you know you need to.

“Ryan [Joyce] is a fantastic finisher, but I know I can outscore him in that game.

“So I think that is what I am going to focus on the most in the next couple of days.

“I also know if you play a qualifier, they have their confidence high from playing the previous day, which is very tough to do.

“Ryan has not thrown a dart at a PDC tournament since the Worlds, so it will be a bit hit and miss for him back on that stage.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.