If you rewind to 2023, Gian van Veen entered the World Youth final, just a month out from the World Championship, as favourite. In that final he lost to a certain Luke Littler.
Of course, no one could have predicted the meteoric rise the 17-year-old then went on, but for 22-year-old van Veen it has also been a year of steady progress, making it to the quarter-finals at the Grand Slam, the last 32 of the World Grand Prix and the last 16 of the UK Open.
Then, in Minehead, he finally gained that elusive World Youth Championship title when he defeated fellow Dutchman Jurjen van der Velde 6-5 in a dramatic encounter.
With that huge title and confidence under his belt, Van Veen can reflect on the last year with a lot of positivity even if his fellow youth star has taken a lot of the spotlight.
“Yeah, I think both of our careers have gone upwards since then. I think his [Littler’s], of course, way more than mine. But I think that’s okay,” Van Veen said.
“I just take my time. I just want to do my career. Of course, he’s doing phenomenal at winning titles, especially on TV, but it’s not something I’m comparing myself to.
“I think none of us can really compare to that. I was the favourite going into the final last year, but we both had quite successful years.
“Last year I made the semi-final of the European Championship, and I put maybe extra pressure on myself in the World Championship.
“I want to show everyone what I can do as well. But now it’s not the first time “
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Van Veen reeled in the ‘big fish’ against Ross Smith at the World Grand Prix of Darts
It is not lost on Van Veen just how special the World Championship is, admitting he had “goosebumps” when arriving for his debut last year.
Despite losing 3-2 to Man Lok Leung in the first round, with experience of the biggest stage now under his belt, Van Veen is heading to Ally Pally ready to show just how talented he is.
“I’ll hopefully do well in the World Championship. Ally Pally is a special place. When I walked in last year, I got goosebumps,” he added.
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Van Veen hit an amazing four bull finishes against Rob Cross at the Winter Gardens
“Driving up the hill was fantastic in itself. Of course, my World Championship didn’t go as planned, but I’m just really looking forward to being back this year, and hopefully it’ll be better than last year.
“But it’s the second time, so I know what to expect from the stage, from the practice area, from the crowd, and the hotel, everything around it.
“So I think I’ll be a lot calmer this year, and it should be a very good tournament. People say, with the Worlds, it’s just getting through that first match.
“I want to win my first game. That’s the main goal for this year and then we’ll see how it goes, take it game by game. I think if I make the last 16, or maybe even quarter-final, I’ll be very happy. Very happy with that.”
When will the World Darts Championship take place?
The tournament gets under way at Alexandra Palace on Sunday December 15, with three first-round matches and one second-round match on the opening evening.
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There will be live darts over each of the following eight days, including seven afternoon sessions, with the usual three-day break from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day before returning with the third round and a double session on December 27.
The third and fourth rounds will be completed by December 30 before a night off on New Year’s Eve, with the quarter-finals held across two sessions on New Year’s Day ahead of the semi-finals on January 2 and the final on Friday January 3.
The full day-by-day schedule for this year’s tournament can be found here.
Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live from December 15-January 3 on Sky Sports’ dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOW.