Gian van Veen took victory in the PDC Winmau World Youth Championship in dramatic fashion on Sunday night, surviving five missed match darts from Jurjen van der Velde before scooping the title.
Van Veen, 22, avenged last year’s defeat to Luke Littler in the final at Butlin’s Minehead Resort – but had faced the prospect of another loss in the decider following a fine showing from his compatriot.
Van der Velde raced into a 2-0 lead with a brace of 70 finishes, only to see Van Veen take out 72, 81 and 63 as he edged in front.
The 21-year-old levelled and then produced a sensational 12-darter – finished with a 116 checkout – to move back in front, before taking out 61 to edge to the brink of glory at 5-3.
He was sat on 40 as Van Veen took out double six to keep his hopes alive, before two missed match darts in leg ten allowed the 2023 runner-up to finish 80 to force a deciding leg.
Van der Velde was first to a finish after landing back-to-back 140s, but missed a further three match darts as Van Veen stepped in to take out 82 with a bullseye, double 16 combination for glory.
Van Veen consoled his tearful opponent before lifting the trophy in front of a packed arena at Butlin’s Minehead Resort, as he became the first Dutch winner of the World Youth Championship.
“To be the first Dutch winner is a massive milestone for me,” said Van Veen. “I stole it today.
“Jurjen played fantastic darts and he kept me under pressure for the whole match. He deserved to be the winner today – I feel for him, but he missed his chances and I took mine.”
Michael van Gerwen was the runner-up in the first two years of the World Youth Championship, while Berry van Peer lost out to Corey Cadby in the 2016 final as the other Dutchman to have reached the event’s decider.
PDC Winmau World Youth Championship Final
Gian van Veen 6-5 Jurjen van der Velde
Belgium
