Reigning European Darts Champion Gian van Veen has successfully kicked off his title defense, securing a hard-fought 6-4 victory over Andrew Gilding in the first round in Dortmund. This win is particularly significant, as Van Veen is the first defending champion since 2018 to win his opening match. Aiming for a second consecutive title after clinching his first major PDC title last year, Van Veen now advances to face Luke Woodhouse, who made headlines with a sensational nine-darter in his own first-round match. The European Darts Championship features the top 32 performers from this year’s European Tour circuit, promising thrilling darts action.
Van Veen Takes “Giant” Steps in Title Defense
Gian van Veen, affectionately known as “The Giant,” is on a mission to defend his European Darts Championship title. His journey began with a challenging encounter against former UK Open winner Andrew Gilding, a match he ultimately won 6-4.
Last year, Van Veen etched his name in darts history by defeating Luke Humphries 11-10 in a nail-biting final, securing his maiden major PDC title. His strong start in Dortmund signals his intent to repeat that success.
The Match: A Rollercoaster Ride
The opening round clash against Andrew Gilding was far from straightforward, showcasing moments of brilliance and resilience from both players:
- Early Dominance: Van Veen burst out of the blocks, securing his own leg and immediately breaking Gilding to establish a commanding 2-0 lead.
- Gilding’s Resurgence: However, “Goldfinger” Gilding quickly turned the tables. He broke back, held his own leg, and then broke Van Veen again, swinging the momentum to take a 3-2 lead.
- Van Veen Fights Back: Displaying composure, Van Veen broke back to level the score at 3-3 and then held his own throw to regain the lead at 4-3.
- Closing it Out: After Gilding took another leg to make it 4-4, Van Veen dug deep. He held his own throw to reach match point and then delivered a decisive break to seal the 6-4 victory.
Breaking a Historical Trend
Van Veen’s win is noteworthy beyond the scoreline. He is the first defending European Champion to win his opening match at the event since Michael van Gerwen achieved the feat in 2018. This breaks a six-year streak where defending champions struggled in their first-round encounters.
Next Up: Luke Woodhouse
In the second round, scheduled for Saturday, Gian van Veen will face Luke Woodhouse. Woodhouse earned his spot with an impressive performance, including throwing a perfect nine-darter in his victory over Dirk van Duijvenbode.
Key Match Statistics
Here’s a look at the performance metrics for both players:
- Gian van Veen: Average: 95.21 / Doubles Percentage: 50.00%
- Andrew Gilding: Average: 93.62 / Doubles Percentage: 57.14%
About the European Darts Championship
The European Darts Championship, held from October 22-25 in Dortmund, brings together the top 32 players who have earned the most money during the fifteen European Tour tournaments throughout the year. Notably, last year’s finalist Luke Humphries is absent due to illness and has been replaced by Kim Huybrechts, who, as the 33rd ranked player on the European Tour, secured his own first-round win against Ryan Searle.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
