In the high-stakes world of professional darts, where precision and focus reign supreme, Gian van Veen proved that even the most absurd setbacks can’t derail true talent. The 22-year-old Dutch darts prodigy, known as ‘The Giant,’ made headlines at the 2025 German Darts Grand Prix in Munich, not just for his sensational performance but for a bizarre incident that nearly derailed his tournament. Before toppling teenage superstar Luke Littler in a thrilling semi-final, Van Veen painfully walked into a toilet wall, leaving commentators and fans stunned at his resilience. His journey to the final, marked by grit and a 110 average, showcased a player undeterred by physical mishaps and fierce competition.
The incident occurred halfway through Van Veen’s quarter-final match against Ross Smith, which he won 6-3 with a solid 97.5 average. Up in the players’ lounge, Van Veen emerged from the restroom and, in a moment of distraction, collided head-on with a wall. “Gian came out of the gents’ toilet and walked straight into a wall,” a commentator recounted, chuckling at the absurdity. Van Veen, ever the optimist, brushed it off, saying, “Don’t worry, it felt worse than it is. I’m fine.” Yet, as he returned to the oche, his discomfort was noticeable. “Gian is throwing his arm around a lot as he walks back from the board. It looks a bit uncomfortable,” noted a co-commentator, observing that Van Veen’s early 4-0 lead seemed at risk as the pain lingered.
Despite the setback, Van Veen’s focus remained razor-sharp. In the semi-final, he faced Luke Littler, the 18-year-old world champion whose eight-match unbeaten streak on the European Tour had made him a formidable opponent. Littler, nicknamed ‘The Nuke,’ was fresh off a dominant 6-1 win over Cam Crabtree, averaging 107.1. But Van Veen, ranked World No. 23, was unfazed. He delivered a dazzling 7-4 victory, averaging an astonishing 110 and landing two ton-plus checkouts, including a stunning 128 finish that halted Littler’s momentum. The win was a statement, proving Van Veen’s ability to compete with the sport’s biggest names, even while nursing a sore head and shoulder.
Van Veen’s path to the final wasn’t just about overcoming physical pain—it was a testament to his growing prowess. Earlier in the tournament, he dispatched Andrew Gilding 6-4 in the second round, showcasing his ability to handle pressure against seasoned players. His quarter-final triumph over Smith, a formidable opponent who had averaged 105.26 in a previous Players Championship semi-final, further underscored his potential. “He was cruising at 4-0,” the commentator noted, marveling at Van Veen’s ability to maintain control despite his earlier mishap. The Munich crowd, silenced by upsets like Rob Cross’s 6-4 win over Ricardo Pietreczko, roared for Van Veen’s tenacity.
The German Darts Grand Prix, a key event on the PDC European Tour, offered a £30,000 prize for the winner and a chance to shine among darts’ elite. Van Veen’s run to the final placed him alongside heavyweights like Michael van Gerwen, who narrowly defeated Kim Huybrechts 6-5, and Gerwyn Price, who celebrated a nine-darter earlier in the season. For Van Veen, the tournament was a breakthrough. His 2023 PDC World Youth Championship final loss to Littler had been a learning experience, but in Munich, he turned the tables, leveraging his experience from five PDC Development Tour titles and a runner-up finish on the 2023 Development Tour Order of Merit.
Van Veen’s journey resonates beyond the dartboard. His lighthearted response to the toilet wall incident—laughing it off despite visible discomfort—endeared him to fans, who took to social media to praise his humor and grit. Posts on X hailed him as a “future star,” with some joking that walking into walls might be his secret weapon. The incident, while comical, highlighted the mental toughness required in darts, where players must block out distractions, whether it’s a rowdy crowd or an unexpected bruise.
As Van Veen prepared for the final, his semi-final performance against Littler set the stage for a potential career-defining moment. “If I play like this again, I will be happy,” Littler had said after his earlier win, but it was Van Veen who stole the show. His ability to channel pain into precision, coupled with his infectious charisma, makes him a player to watch. Whether he claimed the £30,000 prize or not, Van Veen’s Munich adventure—complete with a toilet wall mishap—cemented his place as a rising force in darts, ready to challenge the sport’s biggest names with a smile and a dart in hand.