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Gian van Veen believes Netherlands have 'a massive advantage' over rivals at World Cup of Darts 2025

Originally posted on Dartsnews.com | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 10:06 AM ET

The 2025 World Cup of Darts kicks off this Thursday in Frankfurt, Germany. The Dutch team this year consists of the experienced Danny Noppert and 23-year-old debutant Gian van Veen.

The Netherlands have managed to win the World Cup of Darts four times in the past (three times with Raymond van Barneveld-Michael van Gerwen as a duo and once with Van Barneveld-Co Stompé). This year though, they enter only seeded fifth. As such, they start their campaign in the group stage, where the Dutch duo will take on Italy and Hungary. The winner of that group qualifies for the knockout phase, where the four top seeds begin their seasons.

"I think if someone told me two or three years ago that I'd be playing in the World Cup of Darts I wouldn't have believed them," smiles Van Veen in conversation with the Love the Darts podcast for Sky Sports.

"Being from Holland you always had, or still have, Michael van Gerwen as number one. Then back then, you had Dirk van Duijvenbode, who was winning tournaments and Danny who was doing amazing," Van Veen continues. "So to take part in this tournament is a dream coming true. I'm really looking forward to it."

With this excitement, Van Veen is counting down the days until the start of the tournament. Given the now exclusively pairs format of the World Cup however, it's new ground for Dutch prodigy. On the big TV stage at least.

"I still Super League here in Holland, so we have pairs matches there. I play local pairs tournaments here as well," he says of his experience. "So I'm quite used to pairs, and I think that's a massive advantage compared to some other countries."

"So I'm not really preparing any differently," Van Veen concludes. "I know Danny very well. We know our games inside out, so I think it should be good!"

"A dream come true"

Gian van Veen looks ahead to making his World Cup of Darts debut for the Netherlands pic.twitter.com/WAfPJ18gcW
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) June 9, 2025