“It’s been happening for a number of weeks now”: Gian van Veen left frustrated at lingering effects of kidney stones after painful Rotterdam homecoming

For Gian van Veen, his debut appearance in the Premier League Darts at Rotterdam Ahoy was meant to be one of the defining moments of his season. Instead, it turned into a night of frustration and disappointment. The Dutchman found himself outclassed by Luke Humphries, suffering a tough defeat on a stage he had dreamed of reaching for years.

Van Veen had eagerly anticipated his home night in Rotterdam for weeks. A decade ago, he was just another fan in the crowd when the Premier League first visited Ahoy. Now, he stood under the bright lights as one of the competitors, part of the sport’s elite. But despite the emotional significance of the moment, it did little to ease the sting of defeat. Reflecting afterwards, he admitted the experience would stay with him forever — though not for the reasons he had hoped. “It was great to experience and it’s a memory that will always stay with me,” he said, “but it wasn’t a pleasant one.”

Statistically, Van Veen wasn’t far off, averaging 93 during the match, but over the full contest he couldn’t keep pace with Humphries. His scoring in particular remains a concern. Speaking candidly after the match, he acknowledged that his recent level has simply not been good enough. “This has been my level lately. Scoring-wise it’s not good enough. That frustrates me. I’m working hard, but it’s not paying off yet.”

For a player who has impressed consistently on big stages, that admission is a tough one. Van Veen is widely regarded as one of the Netherlands’ brightest prospects, and his run to a major final proved he can compete with the very best. That’s exactly why this current dip in form feels so significant.

Part of the struggle appears to be linked to recent physical setbacks. Just weeks ago, he was forced to miss a Premier League night in Dublin due to surgery for kidney stones. Since returning, he has found it difficult to regain momentum.

In the four league nights following his comeback, he has exited at the first hurdle three times. Van Veen himself sees a direct link between the procedure and his performances. “It’s been happening for a number of weeks now; since the surgery it hasn’t improved. It’s not Premier League-worthy,” he admitted.

The honesty of that assessment highlights his ambition. Van Veen isn’t content with simply participating at this level — he wants to compete and make an impact. That desire is what makes the current run so frustrating.

“It hurts me a lot,” he said. “When you get an invitation to the Premier League, you want to show everything and show your best game. The first weeks went well, the weeks after much less. But that’s part of it and I’ll keep fighting. I’ll keep doing my best and it will be fine.”

While he understands that recovery and form take time, there is also a growing sense of urgency. The tournament is entering a crucial stage, where every point carries more weight. Waiting for improvement is becoming increasingly difficult.

“I’m giving myself time,” Van Veen added, “but it really is time for things to get better.”