In one of the most unusual interruptions ever seen in a PDC World Darts Championship final, the dartboard at London’s Alexandra Palace had to be swiftly replaced after a spot of blood appeared on it during the showdown between defending champion Luke Littler and Dutch challenger Gian van Veen. The 23-year-old Van Veen, making his debut in a World final, later opened up about the freak accident that caused the delay—a painful encounter with a toilet door during a short break in play.
The incident occurred midway through the match, which ultimately saw 18-year-old Littler storm to a commanding 7-1 victory, retaining his title in spectacular fashion with a highest-ever final average of 106.02 and a match-sealing 147 checkout. But for a few bizarre minutes, the focus shifted from the oche to a small cut on Van Veen’s left pinky finger. As he retrieved his darts, the injured finger brushed against the board, leaving a trace of blood that prompted officials to intervene immediately for hygiene reasons. A fresh board was installed without much fuss, and play resumed, but the moment added an unexpected layer of drama to an already one-sided contest.
Van Veen, visibly composed despite the setback and the mounting pressure from Littler’s relentless scoring, explained afterwards: “It was in the break. As you can see here, my left pinky, it hit the door of the toilet in the break. I went to the toilet. I got stuck with my left pinky on the door. So it ripped it open and then my pinky hit the board.” The Dutch star shrugged off the mishap, insisting it didn’t significantly affect his performance, though the heavy defeat clearly stung more than the cut itself.
This wasn’t the only quirky distraction in the final—Littler even had to fend off the infamous Ally Pally wasp buzzing around his head earlier in the match—but Van Veen’s injury became a talking point among fans and pundits alike. It highlighted the unpredictable nature of high-stakes sport, where even a routine trip off-stage can lead to chaos. Yet, for Van Veen, the real pain came from Littler’s dominance. The teenager, unfazed by interruptions, reeled off seven consecutive sets after dropping the opener, firing 16 maximums and converting doubles at an astonishing rate.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Van Veen’s run to the final was nothing short of remarkable. The rising star, who overcame former champions Luke Humphries and Gary Anderson en route, has enjoyed a breakout year, claiming his first major title at the European Championship and securing a career-high world ranking of number three. Reflecting on the final, he admitted the frustration of being outplayed: “Maybe he missed a couple of darts at double, but he took it out every time on his final dart at that visit and that gave me so much pain.” He praised Littler as “unplayable” on the night, acknowledging the English sensation’s ability to punish every lapse.
Van Veen also looked ahead with optimism, declaring: “Of course, I’m very proud. 2025 has been the best year of my career, best year of my life so far with everything that’s happened darting-wise, but also personal, buying a house with my girlfriend, living together, it’s been fantastic.” He emphasized the shift in darts toward younger players: “The young boys are here and we’re trying to take over the guard.” With Littler leading the charge, Van Veen vowed more battles to come, hinting at potential rematches in future finals.
The toilet door calamity might go down as a footnote in an otherwise historic evening for Littler, who became the youngest back-to-back champion and pocketed a record £1 million prize. But for Van Veen, it encapsulated a night where little went right against an opponent in merciless form. As he heads into the Premier League and beyond, the Dutchman can take solace in his rapid ascent—from battling dartitis in his early career to standing on the world’s biggest stage. The cut will heal quickly, but the hunger to challenge Littler again is only growing stronger.
Darts fans are already buzzing about this new rivalry between two prodigies, promising fireworks in the years ahead. Van Veen’s resilience, even through bizarre setbacks like a rogue door, underscores why he’s seen as part of the sport’s exciting next generation.
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