“I Didn’t Play My Best But I Still Beat Him” – Gian Van Veen Brags About Beating Luke Littler in the Premier League of Darts Night

Dutch debutant stirs rivalry with world champion after opening night upset in Newcastle

Gian van Veen has stirred the pot with Luke Littler by boasting about his opening night victory in the Premier League, declaring “I didn’t play my best but I still beat him” as he vowed to “poke back” at the world number one.

The 23-year-old Dutchman stunned the defending champion 6-4 in their Newcastle quarter-final on February 6, gaining sweet revenge for his 7-1 thrashing in the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace just weeks earlier.

“Almost a Perfect Start”

“Almost a perfect start,” said Van Veen ahead of Premier League Night Two in Antwerp. “Looking at the fixtures and playing Luke Littler in the first game, my goal was just to win that game and then I had a successful night”.

The European champion’s confidence was evident as he reflected on the upset victory over the tournament favorite.

“That happened and then I won the semi-final, but looking back at the final [against Michael van Gerwen] I just wasn’t up to par”, Van Veen added, having ultimately fallen 6-4 to the seven-time champion in the Newcastle final.

The Boast

Speaking to Sky Sports before Night Two in Belgium, Van Veen made his boldest statement yet about the growing rivalry with Littler.

“I didn’t play at my best but I still beat Luke Littler,” Van Veen declared, demonstrating a newfound swagger after his Premier League debut.

The comment was part of a broader promise that he wouldn’t back down from engaging with the teenage sensation, despite Littler’s dominant reputation.

Van Veen said he won’t hesitate to “poke back” at the world No 1 as the Premier League Darts heads to Antwerp in week two.

Best of 11 Belief

Van Veen’s confidence stems from his belief that the Premier League’s shorter format gives all eight competitors a genuine chance against the sport’s elite.

“In the best of 11 legs we all know we can beat each other. Over the longer format they [Littler and Luke Humphries] are the two best players in the world at the moment, but in the best of 11 all eight players can play six good legs, especially on a Premier League night”.

The observation highlights a key tactical insight—while Littler’s consistency over longer matches is virtually unbeatable, the shortened Premier League format creates opportunities for upsets.

Growing as a Player

“I was quite intimidated by him on stage by what he was doing, but I think I’ve grown so much as a player and a first win over him was really needed in Prague last year,” said Van Veen.

The Dutchman admitted that Littler’s stage presence initially affected him, particularly the teenager’s animated celebrations and the crowd’s response to his big scores.

“Definitely the roaring! You notice that he is there on stage. I knew what was going to happen when he hit a good shot or a 180 and I didn’t really know what to do, but it shouldn’t be an issue anymore”.

The Newcastle Upset

The opening night victory was significant for Van Veen, who had been demolished by Littler in their most recent meeting—the World Championship final at Alexandra Palace.

Van Veen opened his Premier League account with a dream debut as he gained revenge over Littler for his World Darts Championship final defeat. Averaging in the mid-90s, the Dutch No1 broke Littler in the final leg by nailing D16 to seal his spot in the semi-finals.

Neither player was at their sharpest, with both averaging well below 100 throughout the contest. Littler squandered several chances in the opening stages.

The match saw Littler hit six perfect darts at 4-3 up, prompting sarcastic boos from the Newcastle crowd, but Van Veen held his nerve to level at 4-4 before reeling off the final two legs for a famous victory.

Littler’s Response

Littler was due to speak to the media on Wednesday afternoon but the press conference was cancelled at short notice, without reason, denying fans the opportunity to hear his response to Van Veen’s comments.

However, the world champion played down the significance of the opening night defeat when he did speak to media.

“Every stage is different in my opinion,” claimed Littler, who secured a record-breaking six nightly wins in the 2025 Premier League season. “I’m not under any pressure and I don’t need to put pressure on myself”.

“I know I lost to Gian on Night One, but last year I lost to Michael van Gerwen [on Night One] as well. There’s still 15 weeks left, so as long as I get into the top four, that’s all that matters”.

Table Standings

After two nights of action, Michael van Gerwen leads the Premier League table with eight points following wins in Newcastle and a final appearance in Antwerp.

Gerwyn Price sits second with five points after winning Night Two in Belgium, while Jonny Clayton (four points) and Van Veen (three points) occupy third and fourth.

Littler and Luke Humphries are fifth and sixth on two points each, with Stephen Bunting and Josh Rock bottom of the table on zero points.

The Rivalry Intensifies

Van Veen’s willingness to engage in verbal sparring with Littler adds another layer to what is shaping up to be one of darts’ most compelling rivalries.

The pair are set to meet again multiple times throughout the 16-week Premier League campaign, with their contrasting styles and personalities—Littler’s youthful exuberance versus Van Veen’s newfound confidence—promising fireworks both on and off the oche.

Van Veen’s heavy grip causes him to suffer cuts to his throwing hand. He was famously left bleeding during his 7-1 rout suffered at the hands of Littler in the final of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace, but ‘The Giant’ also cut himself during his European Championship triumph in Dortmund.

The Verdict

Van Veen’s bold declaration that he beat Littler despite not playing his best represents a significant psychological marker in their rivalry. Rather than crediting his opponent or downplaying the victory, the Dutchman has chosen to use it as ammunition for future encounters.

For Littler, who has dominated world darts for the past two years, Van Veen’s braggadocio represents a new challenge—a rival willing to engage in mind games and back up his words with performance.

With 14 nights of Premier League action still to come, this rivalry is only just beginning. Van Veen has fired the opening salvo, and Littler will be desperate to respond when the pair inevitably meet again on the Premier League stage.