VAN VEEN WANTED TO “SMACK” CLAYTON
20/02/2026 By Aaron Nijjar
GIAN VAN VEEN admits he wanted to “SMACK” Jonny Clayton after their Premier League clash.
World No.3 Van Veen lost 6-2 to ‘The Ferret’ in the final on Night Three at Glasgow.
But the Dutchman post-match crept up behind Clayton and jokingly raised his hand above his head as if to give him a playful slap.
He laughed and told Viaplay: “I held back. But I wanted to smack him on the back of the head like: ‘you were just too good tonight.’ But I behaved myself.
“You take a lot of satisfaction from that. And then it’s great to make another final.
“To make the final twice from three nights is simply very good. I’m incredibly proud of that.
“I also just know for myself where the areas for improvement are. It’s a pity when you don’t show that sometimes, but that’s part of it.
“These are very big venues. Ten, twelve thousand people every week in front of you. You’re absolutely not used to that. But I’m really enjoying it.
“The first time I’ve ever been to Scotland. To be here for your sport, I really enjoy that.”
‘The Giant’ saw off Stephen Bunting and Luke Humphries before narrowly missing out on the weekly title.
Van Veen occupies third place in the standings following a superb showing on debut.
He added: “There’s definitely a bit of extra pressure.
“You have to start tonight against Stephen Bunting. Then people say: you have to win that, because he’s lower in the rankings.
“But there are so many good players. All eight players here can average 100, 105 or 110. It hardly matters who you play.
“Now that you’ve made the World Championship final and are high on the world rankings, people expect more from you. You do notice that. But I think I’ve shown well so far what I can do.”
Van Veen now has his sights firmly set on landing a maiden Euro Tour crown.
The 23-year-old went close at last year’s German Grand Prix, only to be denied by Michael van Gerwen in the showpiece.
He continued: “Tomorrow afternoon we fly on to Poland.
“100 percent up for it. It’s the first Euro Tour of the year, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Image by Taylor Lanning.
