Gerwyn Price hopes Gian van Veen ‘can’t throw darts’ after world No3 was hospitalised with kidney stones

Gerwyn Price has warned he will show no sympathy to Gian van Veen when they meet in Thursday night’s Premier League Darts clash in Berlin.

Van Veen, 23, missed last week’s night in Dublin after being hospitalised with severe kidney stones, which were later removed through surgery. Despite still feeling the effects, the Dutchman is determined to return for their quarter-final showdown.

But Price, 41, insists he will not hold back as he continues his push for a top-four spot in the Premier League play-offs.

The Iceman — who spent last weekend relaxing in Benidorm — said: “I hope he plays rubbish.

“I’m there to win. I’m not there to show mercy to anyone.

“Hopefully he’s medically fine, but I hope he can’t throw darts. I’ll go out there and try to win.

“I’ve never had kidney stones, but I’ve heard how painful they can be. Fair play to him for getting back so quickly.

“I know how tough it is to miss tournaments and let points slip — it’s not something you ever want to do.

“I even messaged him saying maybe he should take another week off and relax! He saw the funny side, but I’m glad he’s back and I’m looking forward to playing him.”

Price added that he will approach the match with the same focus he showed against Josh Rock, despite the youngster’s difficult Premier League campaign.

“I played in Dublin as if I was facing the best version of Josh Rock — and I’ll do exactly the same against Gian,” he said.

Referencing the physical toll of the schedule, Price pointed out that even top players like Michael van Gerwen have dealt with illness during the season, while he himself has previously missed events due to injury.

Meanwhile, Rock risks matching Stephen Bunting’s unwanted 2025 record of eight straight defeats if he loses to Jonny Clayton in the opening quarter-final in Berlin.