In a thrilling showdown at the 2025 Gambrinus Czech Darts Open in Prague, teenage darts sensation Luke Littler saw his hopes of securing back-to-back European Tour titles dashed by an inspired performance from Dutch prodigy Gian van Veen. The PVA Expo was buzzing with anticipation as Littler, the reigning world champion and World No. 2, faced off against his former rival from the 2023 World Youth Championship final. Despite Littler’s formidable reputation and recent dominance, it was Van Veen who emerged victorious, claiming a 6-4 win in a gripping third-round encounter on Sunday afternoon, September 7, 2025.
Littler, affectionately dubbed “The Nuke,” entered the match on the back of a commanding 6-2 victory over Scotland’s Cameron Menzies in the second round. The 18-year-old had started that game with blistering pace, racing to a 3-0 lead with a 13-darter and an 11-dart break, showcasing the clinical finishing that has made him a global darts phenomenon. However, he admitted the sweltering conditions in Prague posed a challenge. “It felt very hot,” Littler remarked after his win over Menzies. “As soon as you stepped on that first step, I was like: Wow, this is hot.” Despite the heat, Littler maintained his composure to advance, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Van Veen.
The third-round match began with Littler striking first, breaking Van Veen’s throw with a 13-darter to seize an early advantage. But Van Veen, undeterred, responded with a 90 finish to level the score, demonstrating the resilience that has seen him defeat Littler in three of their four encounters this year. The Dutchman’s precision was on full display as he produced a 113 finish to take the lead, and the two traded holds, keeping the crowd on edge. Van Veen’s turning point came with a superb 76 checkout, breaking Littler’s throw to move within one leg of victory. Despite a late push from Littler, who clawed back to within one leg, Van Veen held his nerve, sealing the win with a 100.86 average and an impressive 60% checkout rate, compared to Littler’s 98.60 average and 33.3% on doubles.
“It was quite hot,” Littler had noted earlier, reflecting on the conditions that seemed to sap his rhythm against Van Veen. “I started very well, but at the end of the game, I made a few bad throws.” While Littler’s performance was far from lackluster, Van Veen’s ability to capitalize on key moments proved decisive. The Dutchman’s victory was a statement of intent, as he went on to whitewash former world champion Gerwyn Price 6-0 in the quarter-finals, only to fall to Northern Ireland’s Josh Rock in the semi-finals.
The tournament culminated with World No. 1 Luke Humphries defending his Czech Darts Open title, defeating Rock 8-5 in a hard-fought final. Humphries, who has now won the Prague event three times, including in 2022 and 2024, showcased his dominance by overcoming Martin Schindler, Wessel Nijman, and James Wade earlier in the day. “The Czech crowd love me, but I love them even more,” Humphries said, thanking the passionate fans who filled the PVA Expo.
For Littler, the loss marked the end of a 19-match winning streak and a rare stumble in a year that has seen him claim titles at the World Matchplay, World Series events in Australia and New Zealand, and the Flanders Darts Trophy. Despite the defeat, Littler remained optimistic about his upcoming clash with Van Veen. “We always play great matches,” he said. “I think we both show the best darts.” With the BoyleSports World Grand Prix looming from October 6-12, Littler’s focus will undoubtedly shift to reclaiming his momentum.
Van Veen’s triumph highlighted the rising talent in the darts world, with the young Dutchman proving he can compete with the sport’s biggest names. His performance, alongside Rock’s upset of Michael van Gerwen in the third round, underscored the depth of competition on the European Tour. As the 2025 season progresses, Littler’s rivalry with Van Veen promises to deliver more electrifying battles, cementing their places among darts’ brightest stars.
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