Top News

Gian van Veen has beaten Luke Littler on Premier League Darts opening night to avenge his World Darts Championship defeat earlier this year. Littler lost 6-4 to the debutant in Newcastle despite leading the scoring by averaging 96.98 to van Veen's 95.55 as the world No.1 made just four of his 12 doubles.

Van Veen, 23, got one over Littler after losing his last three matches against the teenager, the most recent of which was just over a fortnight ago at the Saudi Arabia Darts Masters - a tournament which the Brit went on to win. That was their first meeting since the 7-1 dismantling of 'The Giant' at Alexandra Palace just after the New Year.

Sky Sports commentator Dan Dawson acknowledged the magnitude of van Veen's win, saying on their coverage: "Van Veen shakes his head because he has just become the first player to beat Littler in a premier event for months, and he has not even played his A-game. A statement result for the Dutchman."

Former world champion, Mark Webster, spoke about the opportunity ahead of him after van Veen broke back to level the match at 4-4. He said on Sky Sports: "Gian van Veen knows this is a huge opportunity to beat Luke Littler with him averaging less than 100."

When the Dutchman was up 3-2, he also explained: "It is key that Gian van Veen takes chances and he's doing that. He's won two of his legs in six visits. When he's getting chances in a scrappy leg, he's taking them."

Webster also talked up van Veen's chances after he won the first leg. The pundit said: "I genuinely think the Premier League is made for Gian van Veen and I fully expect him to get to the play-offs."

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

Van Veen spoke highly of Littler at the media launch, but stopped short of saying the teenager was unbeatable. The world No.3 said: "He's not unstoppable, but he's not shown too many signs of being stoppable."

He also acknowledged: "I think Luke Littler is still going to be on top of the world in five or 10 years." Van Veen will have something to say about that after closing the gap in their head-to-head meetings with this win, so that it now stands at 4-3 in Littler's favour.

The Dutchman said before making his debut: "It's a dream come true. I started playing darts when I was nine years old. When I was 10, I watched the Premier League every Thursday night.

"To be part of that this year, with the elite eight players of the PDC, is fantastic. I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can."