Gian van Veen found himself at the centre of an unexpected talking point even before throwing a dart in the World Darts Championship final, after a brief and awkward interaction with popular content creator AngryGinge caught the attention of fans watching around the world. As Van Veen made his way toward the stage ahead of the showpiece final at Alexandra Palace, cameras appeared to show AngryGinge extending a fist bump in his direction. Van Veen walked straight past without acknowledging it, seemingly focused on the moment and unaware of the gesture. The clip quickly went viral online, sparking debate and amusement among fans, with many joking that the Dutchman was already fully locked into “game mode” before the match had begun.
The moment was later brushed off as nothing more than a misunderstanding. With the noise, pressure and emotions surrounding a World Championship final, Van Veen appeared completely focused on the task ahead rather than the people around him. AngryGinge himself reacted light-heartedly, laughing it off and making it clear there was no bad blood, while fans quickly turned the incident into memes and jokes across social media.
However, any talk of pre-match awkwardness was soon overshadowed by what unfolded on the oche. Van Veen was facing one of the toughest challenges in modern darts — a World Championship final against Luke Littler, the defending champion and the most dominant force in the sport over the past year. From the opening legs, Littler showed exactly why he had arrived as the overwhelming favourite, producing relentless scoring and deadly finishing to apply immediate pressure.
Despite Van Veen’s calm demeanour and flashes of quality, Littler surged ahead and never loosened his grip on the contest. The final eventually ended in a commanding 7–1 victory for the teenage sensation, a result that confirmed Littler as a back-to-back World Champion and placed him among an elite group of players to have successfully defended the title. At just 18 years old, Littler also secured a record prize haul and further cemented his reputation as a generational talent who continues to rewrite darts history.
For Van Veen, the scoreline was painful, but his response showed maturity beyond his years. Speaking after the match, he admitted the defeat was difficult to accept, especially by such a margin, but he was honest in his assessment of the night. “It is difficult to have lost, especially 7–1,” he said. “I can get angry and frustrated, but the better man won.” His words reflected a player who understands the level required at the very top and sees this experience as part of his ongoing development rather than a setback.
The final itself also featured several unusual moments that added to the spectacle. At one point, play was briefly interrupted after Van Veen’s finger began bleeding, leaving visible marks on the dartboard. Officials quickly replaced the board, and Van Veen later explained that the injury had occurred backstage after he caught his finger in a door, insisting there was nothing intentional about the incident. Meanwhile, Littler had his own moment of distraction when a wasp flew onto the stage, prompting a brief pause before he calmly swatted it away and resumed his march toward victory.
Despite the defeat, Van Veen’s journey to the final marked a major breakthrough in his career. Having already established himself as a former World Youth Champion, reaching the senior World Championship final confirmed his arrival among the elite. Both finalists now look ahead to the Premier League season, where their rivalry is expected to develop further and provide fans with many more high-quality encounters.
While the missed fist bump with AngryGinge provided an amusing pre-match headline, the night ultimately belonged to elite performance, composure under pressure and the rise of a new era in darts. For Van Veen, the experience will serve as fuel. For Littler, it was another statement that his reign at the top is only just beginning.
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