VAN VEEN HITS A 9-DARTER
Young Dutch Darts star Gian van Veen celebrated extending his new Red Dragon contract, by hitting a perfect 9 dart leg in the Euro Tour 10 qualifier against Jermaine Wattimena, qualifying for both ETs in Wigan
The 20-year-old has been with manufacturer Red Dragon since teenage years, recently putting pen to paper on a new 3-year deal, as he looks to continue his successful start to his darting career.
“I joined them when I was 13 and to still be with them now at the age of 20 is special. Signing a new 3-year deal with them gives me confidence especially with the support they gave from back when I was young. I couldn’t think of a reason why not to sign again now.”
Van Veen spoke in an exclusive interview with Dartsworld, as he safely secured his spot at the European Darts Matchplay (ET10) with averages of 108.21 against Wattimena and 105.99 in a Final Round 6-2 win over Rusty-Jake Rodriguez.
“I’ve been playing well lately, I picked up a Development Tour title without even playing my best, so that gave me confidence in my own game.”
“I can’t complain about the start to the year that I have had, I’ve made 3 Quarter Finals out of the 10 Players Championship tournaments, so hopefully I can have a deep run soon.”
GVV will make his debut on the European Tour at the end of the month with the Dutch Darts Championship (ET6) an exciting opportunity, to show home fans his abilities now as a Tour Card holder.
“I only qualified for 1 Euro Tour out of the first 8 this year, but this one being in my home country, I’m really looking forward to it and to play in front of my home crowd. I want to show everyone what I can do on the main stage, for sure it will be a special feeling and I can’t wait.”
Van Veen made a name for himself last year whilst playing in events such as the MODUS Super Series, getting the match sharpness practise in, to be able to handle the higher-pressure situations now as a tour card holder, playing the sports best players on a regular basis.
Other players have taken to that route, with the likes of Graham Usher and Adam Warner using the MODUS competition as a steppingstone into playing now in the Euro and Pro Tour. Warner missed match darts against Michael Smith in the German Darts Grand Prix First Round, with the World Number 1 going on to win the tournament in Munich.
Simon Whitlock secured his qualification into European Tours 9 and 10 after coming through matches against Bradley Brooks, Mervyn King, Cameron Menzies, and Jimmy Hendriks in Wigan.
Steve Beaton and Daryl Gurney also confirmed their spots at the European Darts Grand Prix (ET9) but struggled in the second qualifying campaign, with both losing their opening matches. The Austrian Darts Open comes up this weekend with Michael van Gerwen the 4-time defending champion.
By Harry Masterson