sports
January 2, 2026
PDC world darts: Van Veen dumps Humphries out as Littler wins over crowd
For the third time in this match, Gian van Veen is lining up the bull finish for a 170. This time, though, he steps away from the oche, and as the noise builds and swells around him, as the applause hardens into a tribal rhythm, he smiles. And in that moment, with millions of pairs of eyes on him, with glory within his grasp, he just knows. Knows that after all the years of hope and toil, of dreams and dismay, his moment is here at last.
TL;DR
- Gian van Veen and Luke Littler have advanced to the semi-finals of the world championship.
- Van Veen defeated the reigning champion Luke Humphries, while Littler achieved a clean sweep against Krzysztof Ratajski.
- Their success suggests a potential shift in the sport's hierarchy, with a new generation emerging.
- Veteran Gary Anderson also reached the semi-finals, highlighting enduring talent.
- Ryan Searle is another player to watch, having secured his semi-final spot.
- The article draws parallels between emerging darts stars and tennis rivalries, like Alcaraz and Nadal.
- Van Veen's rise marks a symbolic milestone as the first Dutch No. 1 in decades not named Van Barneveld or Van Gerwen.
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