‘It’s not even a dream coming true, I wasn’t able to dream of this’published at 23:09 GMT 2 January
23:09 GMT 2 January
Result: Van Veen 6-3 Anderson
Image source, Getty Images
Gian van Veen, speaking to Sky Sports after reaching his first World Championship final:
“Gary threw everything at me. I felt comfortable up here. Of course the crowd are against me but it’s fair enough, Gary is such a great player.
“Ten years ago or five years ago, whatever it was, [I was] struggling playing darts. I remember three or four years ago I was in Barnsley at the Metrodome struggling with dartitis and crying at a table. Now look at me four years later. It’s all been worth it.
“All the people who have worked so hard for me, even my parents when I was 12 or 13 driving me everywhere in the Netherlands to all the tournaments. It’s all been worth it because here we are – unbelievable.”
On his dartitis struggles: “As everyone knows, I’ve struggled with dartitis for many years, I never thought this was going to happen. It’s not even a dream coming true, because I wasn’t able to dream about this.”