Jan van Veen believes he now poses the biggest challenge to Luke Littler’s reign as world champion after reaching his first semi-final at Alexandra Palace.
The 23-year-old defeated 2024 champion Luke Humphries 5-1 in the quarter-finals on Thursday to book his ticket to his third major semi-final, where Gary Anderson awaits.
Defeating the two-time world champion will give Van Veen a shot at glory when he faces defending champion Luke Littler or Ryan Searle in Saturday’s final.
Asked if he thought he was the closest thing to Littler, Van Veen said, “Still in the tournament? Then yes.”
“To be honest, I don’t know. If I can play as well as I did (against Humphries), maybe it will happen. I beat him a few times on the European Tour and gave him a good fight at the World Grand Prix, but he held up and played phenomenally.”
“I know I can give him a fight, but it’s going to be tough to beat him, especially on the biggest stage. But if he continues to perform, I’m sure we can give him a good fight.”
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World Championship Quarterfinals Van Veen vs. Luke Humphries Highlights
Van Veen: Secures elite status with world title
With his commanding victory over Humphries, reigning world youth and European champion van Veen moves into third place in the world, overtaking Michael van Gerwen to become number one in the Netherlands.
Van Veen admitted that true elite status could only be secured by winning the tournament outright, but given the threat Anderson posed in Friday’s semi-final, he was not yet focused on that outcome.
“To be elite, you need to be world champion or world No. 1,” he said.
“I’m currently No. 3 in the world, a semi-finalist, and I beat Humphries again in a very good match. Well, I might be one of the elite athletes in the sport, but I wouldn’t say I’m in the top five in the world.”
“I’m feeling really good and I know that if I play like I did today, I can beat anyone. It’s my responsibility to be like an elite player and show that every game.”
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Van Veen hits 170 checkout against Humphries
He added: “I haven’t started imagining lifting the trophy yet. Once I get to the semi-finals, I start dreaming.
“It’s going to be a very tricky match. It’s going to be Anderson next and either Littler or Sarr in the final. It won’t be easy, but if we continue to perform like we did tonight, we have a good chance.”
“It’s Van Veen time.”
Van Veen averaged 105.41 points, recorded 11 sub-180s and produced a ‘big fish’ 170 checkout to blow away Humphries on Thursday night, delivering a performance that left Sky Sports pundits in no doubt about his chances of winning the tournament.
Three-time world champion John Peart said: “We keep hearing about his positive efforts and it just makes you wonder what’s next.”
“Next is to win the world title, which is obviously the biggest prize of all. He looks good enough to face Gary Anderson.”
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Van Veen reacts to win over Humphries
“He’s going to make Gary’s life very difficult, just like Gary did to Justin Hood.
“I don’t know what will happen. It’s his turn. I think he will show no mercy against Anderson. He will make it to the final.”
“He’s a growing young man,” Wayne Mardle said. “He’s already European champion, he could be world champion in two days, but first he has to get past Gary Anderson.
“It really was a fitting display for someone who could be a future world champion.”
World Darts Championship Semi-Finals, Sky
The World Darts Championship also advances to the semi-finals.
Watch Luke Littler take on Ryan Searle and Gary Anderson take on Jan Van Veen for a spot in the final live on Sky Sports Darts from 7.30pm on Friday.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match live and exclusively on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel (Sky channel 407) until January 3rd. Stream darts and other top sports now.
