Gian van Veen has sent a serious warning to the darts world after producing a performance that will be remembered for years, and Luke Littler is among the elite players who should take notice.
The Dutch star averaged an astonishing 120.24 during a 6-0 demolition of Sebastian Bialecki at the Dutch Darts Championship in Maastricht on October 17. It was not just another impressive victory. Van Veen smashed the record for the highest match average ever recorded on the PDC European Tour.
For anyone wondering whether Van Veen has the scoring power to challenge the biggest names in darts, this was quite the answer. He looked unstoppable, and his performance arrived at a particularly interesting moment, with the European Championship approaching and Littler preparing to return to the spotlight.
Van Veen Produces a Record-Breaking Masterclass
The numbers behind Van Veen’s performance are almost difficult to comprehend.
He averaged 120.24 over six legs, comfortably surpassing the previous European Tour record of 118.66, set by Dave Chisnall at the German Darts Championship in 2018. Van Veen became the first player to break the 120 barrier in a European Tour match.
Even more impressive was how he achieved it. The Dutchman won his legs in 12, 12, 13, 13, 11 and 14 darts, giving Bialecki almost no opportunity to settle into the contest.
Five maximum 180s added to the spectacle, while Bialecki averaged just 82.54. The Polish player had won his opening match against Daryl Gurney, but facing Van Veen proved an entirely different challenge.
Think about that for a moment. Van Veen won every leg in 14 darts or fewer, including the legs in which his opponent had the advantage of throwing first.
That is ruthless darts. There was no extended spell of nervy finishing, no prolonged battle for momentum and no opportunity for Bialecki to build pressure. Van Veen took control immediately and never let go.
His achievement also pushed Chisnall’s eight-year-old record into second place. Records are made to be broken, of course, but surpassing a mark that had survived since 2018 by such a margin is a statement in itself.
The Message Behind Van Veen’s Performance
Speaking after his record-breaking display, Van Veen made it clear that the victory mattered more to him than the statistics.
“I knew I was playing well, I wanted to hit that bullseye in that last leg,” he said.
“The average is nice, it’s fantastic to have that record, but it’s another win and that’s what matters.”
He then added: “It shows that I’ve still got it in my locker, I’m still here.”
Those words are worth paying attention to. Van Veen was proud of the record, but he was also focused on proving his quality through results rather than simply celebrating a remarkable number.
That mentality matters because the best players are judged by their ability to deliver when trophies are on the line. Van Veen has already demonstrated that he can produce extraordinary scoring, and his ambition now is to make that level count consistently.
Littler Is Facing a Serious Challenge
Littler remains one of the sport’s biggest attractions, but even the best players know they cannot afford to underestimate their rivals.
The teenager has produced outstanding performances of his own, including a 116.51 average against Damon Heta at the 2024 Czech Darts Open. That figure remains among the highest recorded on the European Tour, although Van Veen has now moved the benchmark considerably higher.
There is also an important difference between producing a huge average in one match and maintaining that standard across a tournament. Van Veen’s record was extraordinary, but his eventual defeat to Danny Noppert in the Dutch Darts Championship semi-finals showed how quickly a contest can turn against even an in-form player.
Van Veen beat Brendan Dolan 6-1 in the last 16 and Ryan Searle 6-3 in the quarter-finals before losing 7-5 to Noppert. It was a strong run, even if it ended short of the final.
Littler skipped the Maastricht event and is preparing for the European Championship in Dortmund. He opens against William O’Connor on Thursday, October 22, while Van Veen begins his title defence against Andrew Gilding.
That sets up an intriguing week. Van Veen enters as the defending champion, while Littler will be looking to make his own mark on one of the sport’s major titles.
Can Van Veen Defend His European Championship Crown?
Van Veen’s record-breaking display could hardly have come at a more interesting time. He won the European Championship last year, defeating Luke Humphries 11-10 in a dramatic final to secure his maiden major title.
Now he returns to Dortmund with the chance to defend that crown, carrying the confidence of having produced the greatest European Tour average in history.
The challenge is considerable. A 120 average can destroy an opponent in a short match, but a major championship requires players to negotiate multiple rounds against opponents who can punish even the smallest mistakes.
Van Veen will need his finishing to remain reliable, particularly if he encounters opponents who match his scoring power. His semi-final defeat in Maastricht is a reminder that no record guarantees a trophy.
Still, it would be foolish to overlook him. He has already shown that he can win a major, and his latest performance demonstrates that his scoring ceiling is exceptionally high.
For Littler and the rest of the field, that is a warning worth taking seriously.
The Darts World Has Been Put on Notice
Van Veen’s 120.24 average was more than a spectacular statistic. It was a demonstration of what happens when elite scoring, confidence and clinical finishing come together.
His European Tour record may stand for years, or another player may eventually surpass it. Either way, Van Veen has written his name into the record books and given fans another reason to look forward to his next appearance.
The real question now is whether he can turn that extraordinary level into another major title. With his European Championship defence beginning this week, he will not have to wait long for an opportunity to prove himself.
Littler will undoubtedly remain one of the leading contenders, but Van Veen has shown that the battle for the biggest prizes is far from a one-man show.
Do you think Gian van Veen can defend his European Championship title and seriously challenge Luke Littler for darts’ biggest honours, or will Littler remind everyone why he is the player to beat?