VAN VEEN INSISTS HE AND LITTLER WILL NEVER BE BEST FRIENDS

GIAN VAN VEEN says that Luke Littler is a fine guy but they will “never be best friends” after their Manchester spat.

The world No.3 clashed with the Warrington whizkid in an on-stage spat in the Premier League five weeks ago, with Littler accused of celebrating after his opponent missed a match dart.

Van Veen has played down any suggestion of a deep rift between the pair, but made it clear the relationship is strictly professional. 

He said: “I don’t feel I need to approach him, because I am of the opinion that I haven’t done anything wrong. 

“I have barely spoken to him in the last few weeks. But we weren’t doing that before that either. Last week we briefly asked each other how things were going, and that was it.  

“I think Luke is a fine guy, but we will never become best friends, and that is perfectly fine.” 

The Giant currently sits fifth in the table but trails Michael van Gerwen by just two points with three nights of the regular season remaining.  

Van Veen admits he has found the added pressure difficult to deal with this season after winning the European Championship and reaching the World Championship final last year.  

He added: “I think I was in a rough patch for a while. In response, you try even harder, but that can also backfire, and I have certainly experienced that recently.  

“I showed back then that I belong at that level, and I want to continue doing so. But I also have to be honest: this year I am only succeeding in doing so sporadically.  

“Of course, I feel more pressure than last year. Back then, I was twentieth in the world; everything I did was a bonus.  

“Now, as number three in the world, I have to perform. That is a big difference.”  

Van Veen believes the relentless schedule and targeting from rivals has made life tougher in the Premier League.  

The 24-year-old’s campaign has also been disrupted by health issues, but he insists momentum is slowly returning.  

He continued: “You really notice that everyone puts in an extra effort against you, yes.   

“Also with the busy schedule in the Premier League, you can’t always be at your best. I found that difficult at first, but I have learned to understand it.”  

In a bid to rediscover his edge, the big Dutchman has even switched equipment in search of marginal gains.  

He explained: “I’ve been throwing with different darts for a week or two now, and it feels good.  

“I had wanted to do this for a while, but especially last year everything just kept going well.   

“At the time, it didn’t seem like a good idea to try something else, but I do believe you should always look at what you can improve.   

“Every percentage point counts at this level. A few weeks ago, I had run out of confidence, and I saw that as the perfect moment to switch.  

“I think I can look back on the Premier League so far as okay. And I definitely think I still stand a chance of reaching the final.   

“A few weeks ago I didn’t have that feeling, but that has changed because confidence is returning more and more, and with it, the level of play.   

“It is also about time I had a win; that would be really nice in terms of points as well.”

Image by Taylor Lanning.