Several darts fans were left unimpressed by sections of the Alexandra Palace crowd during Gian van Veen’s PDC World Darts Championship semi-final victory over Gary Anderson.
The 23-year-old Dutchman produced a superb performance to beat the two-time world champion 6–3 in a thrilling contest, with both players averaging just under 103, setting up a blockbuster final against Luke Littler. Littler booked his place in the showpiece with a commanding 6–1 win over Ryan Searle.
Van Veen had previously described Anderson as his “idol” ahead of their clash on Friday (January 2), and the young Dutch star was forced to reach remarkable levels to overcome the veteran Scot.
Anderson made a fast start, taking the opening set with a 104 average, but Van Veen responded emphatically by opening the second set with a 10-darter. An exceptional 113.35 average saw him draw level at 1–1.
The standard continued to soar. Anderson began the third set with a stunning 144 checkout, only for Van Veen to reply with six perfect darts before completing an 11-darter.
The fifth set proved pivotal. Anderson fired in a 10-darter and a spectacular 170 checkout, surging into a two-leg lead and looking poised to edge back in front at 3–2. Remarkably, Van Veen turned the set on its head, landing his own 170 finish and averaging 111.46, despite Anderson posting an astonishing 117.44 average in the set he still lost.
The drama wasn’t over. Anderson rallied to claim the next two sets and close the gap to 4–3, but Van Veen steadied himself to take the eighth set and move within one of victory. A clinical 13-darter sealed a 6–3 win and a place in the World Championship final.
Afterwards, Van Veen struggled to put the achievement into words.
“To be in the World Championship final is not even a dream coming true because I wasn’t able to dream about this,” he said.
“Now it’s happened, and I’m so happy.”
Despite the exceptional quality of darts on display, some supporters whistled and booed during the match, drawing criticism from fans watching at home.
One wrote: “GVV is such a class act. It’s really poor — I’m all for a good atmosphere, but they shouldn’t be going after the young lad like that.”
Another added: “It’s part and parcel now, unfortunately. I’ve followed darts for almost 20 years and it’s been like this since around 2012. The players have to learn to deal with it — but GVV’s interview showed real class.”
A third commented: “Classless. And ironically, they’ll all be cheering for him in the final.”
While a fourth said: “Why pay to watch the best perform at their highest level, only to whistle and try to put them off? It’s the one thing about darts that still annoys me.”
Van Veen will now face Luke Littler, who is bidding for his third consecutive World Championship final appearance, with the £1 million top prize on the line on Saturday evening (January 3).
