GIAN van Veen made history by securing his first-ever spot in the World Darts final following a remarkable 6-3 victory over Gary Anderson. The Dutch player faced a fiercely supportive crowd at Ally Pally, many of whom rallied behind the seasoned Scotsman. The match is being hailed by many fans as containing “the greatest set ever played.”
Despite the electrifying atmosphere, Van Veen encountered some harsh reactions from sections of the audience, who were seen booing and whistling during his throws. This behavior sparked backlash on social media, with fans expressing their disappointment. Comments flooded in criticizing the disruptive actions, with one user saying, “A***holes in the crowd whistling, you are witnessing greatness here stop being b******s ffs,” while another stated, “Whistling at the darts is so embarrassing.” Many felt that such behavior was unwarranted when witnessing high-quality darts.
After the match, Van Veen acknowledged that the crowd’s whistling had disrupted his concentration, leading him to drop one set before he regained composure. Still, he delivered an impressive performance, landing 55 percent of his doubles and achieving an exceptional average of 102.99, particularly highlighted during a standout fifth set where both players hit the remarkable 170 checkout.
In the other semi-final, Luke Littler dominated Ryan Searle, winning 6-1 with an average of 105.35. Similar to Van Veen, Littler had also faced crowd issues earlier in the tournament. However, he remained unfazed, emphasizing the importance of the fans by thanking them for their support.
With the finals on the horizon, both players are set to bring their best game, promising fans an exciting conclusion to the tournament. The atmosphere around darts continues to be electrifying, and despite some crowd behaviors, the talent showcased by players like Van Veen and Littler paves the way for a thrilling finale.