Van Veen Predicts Hostile Atmosphere for Littler in Rotterdam
Gian van Veen has delivered an ominous warning to world champion Luke Littler, stating that the Dutch fans in Rotterdam will be "cruel" when the Premier League Darts night arrives. This comes after a heated confrontation between the two players in Manchester two weeks ago, which has left tensions simmering.
Manchester Spat Fuels Ongoing Rivalry
The incident in Manchester saw Van Veen accuse Littler of being "out of order" for celebrating towards the crowd while Van Veen was on match dart. In response, Van Veen stared down his rival, and Littler reacted with a gesture of disgust. Despite Littler missing match darts, Van Veen clinched the quarter-final 6-5, followed by a tense handshake.
Littler recently broke his silence, alleging that Van Veen showed a lack of respect by "putting his darts down" during the altercation. The 19-year-old clarified that his celebrations were directed at his girlfriend, Faith, and her father, not just the crowd. Since the incident, the pair have practised separately in Brighton and have not spoken, but they are on a collision course for a potential semi-final meeting in Rotterdam if both win their quarter-finals.
Van Veen Uninterested in Reconciliation
When asked if he intends to clear the air with Littler, Van Veen, 23, responded bluntly: "For myself, not really. He's said his piece the other day. I still have the same view as I had two weeks ago when it all happened." He added that while he holds no hard feelings, he is uncertain about Littler's stance, leaving the possibility of reconciliation open but unlikely.
Van Veen emphasised that he is looking forward to their next encounter, acknowledging Littler's skill by saying, "He'll probably be fired up even more and average 110 against me. That's how good he is." Despite the rivalry, he expressed that he could see himself being friends with Littler in the future, noting that the incident occurred in the heat of the moment and that such needle can be good for the sport.
Littler Braces for Dutch Hostility
Littler, who has faced challenging receptions from some English crowds this season, is expected to encounter a particularly hostile environment in Rotterdam, especially if he faces Van Veen or fellow Dutch star Michael van Gerwen. Van Veen drew on his own experiences playing in hostile venues, such as Cardiff, Manchester, and Belfast, to highlight the intensity Dutch fans can bring.
"I know what the Dutch fans are like and they can be quite cruel to some players," Van Veen stated. "I'll expect the same tomorrow. It is what it is." This warning sets the stage for a high-stakes night in Rotterdam, where emotions are likely to run high.
In the upcoming matches, Van Veen will face Luke Humphries in his quarter-final, while Littler takes on Gerwyn Price. Their potential semi-final clash promises to be a dramatic continuation of their burgeoning rivalry, fueled by past incidents and the charged atmosphere of Dutch darts fans.
