Van Veen Dismisses Littler’s Critique Following Premier League Clash
Jan van Veen, a finalist in the World Darts Championship, expressed indifference towards Luke Littler’s opinions about him following a heated encounter during the Premier League Darts in Manchester. The tension escalated when Van Veen missed a match dart in the quarter-finals, only to turn and find Littler celebrating exuberantly in front of the home crowd. The reigning world champion responded with visible frustration as he returned to the oche.
During the match, Littler had a chance to capitalize on Van Veen’s earlier miss, yet his opportunity slipped away. Instead of rejoining the game, Van Veen’s coach decided to keep Littler from returning. Littler then made a gesture towards the audience that appeared to mock the situation, briefly shaking hands with Van Veen but leaving the stage amid tears.
After losing a tight match to Josh Locke, Van Veen commented that Littler was a “bad loser” and described his antics as “insane.” Littler, responding to Van Veen’s remarks, took to Instagram to share an image of the quote, accompanied by three laughing emojis.
In an interview with Swedish streaming service Viaplay, Van Veen reflected on the lack of dialogue between him and Littler, stating, “No, we haven’t talked about it yet.” He noted that Littler’s reaction on social media suggested that he found the incident amusing. Van Veen emphasized that he wouldn’t be pursuing a friendly relationship anytime soon, acknowledging Littler’s talent but asserting, “I don’t really care what he thinks of me.”
This weekend, the two players will not compete against each other in the European Tour event in Munich, as Littler will not be participating. Van Veen, currently ranked third in the world, is set to return to action in the second round against either William O’Connor or Sebastian Bialecki.
How Van Veen Clinched Victory Over Littler
Despite being a heavy favorite after recent victories in Dublin and Berlin, Littler’s aspirations for a third consecutive Premier League title were thwarted by Van Veen. Hailing from nearby Warrington, the 19-year-old was gunning for success on home turf. However, Van Veen managed to pull ahead, taking a 4-1 lead. Though Littler fought back to improve the score to 4-3, his chances dwindled after missing crucial shots.
As the match reached its climax, tension boiled over between the players. Van Veen overcame his nerves, ultimately sealing the match after capitalizing on a missed double by Littler, leading to Littler’s swift exit from the stage.
Looking Ahead to Premier League Night 10
The BetMGM Premier League continues next Thursday in Brighton, featuring an all-Dutch showdown between Michael van Gerwen and Van Veen. Opening the night, Luke Humphries will face off against Jonny Clayton, while Gerwyn Price takes on Josh Locke. Littler will meet Stephen Bunting in the quarter-finals, with each night offering ranking points—five for winners, three for runners-up, and two for semi-finalists. The top four players will advance to the finals at London’s O2 on May 28.
As excitement builds for the remainder of the Premier League Darts season, fans can follow the action weekly on Sky Sports, where defending champion Luke Humphries will seek to retain his title amidst fierce competition. The world of darts promises thrilling encounters as the stakes rise leading into the finals.
