Dutch darts star Gian van Veen is in hospital and will miss tonight’s Premier League darts meeting in Dublin. The world championship runner-up is suffering from kidney stones.
Van Veen currently sits fourth in the Premier League standings after six nights of action and has finished as runner-up on three occasions. The 23-year-old’s absence means that his opponent, countryman Michael van Gerwen will receive a bye in the opening round of the night.
Van Gerwen will receive two league points and +1 leg difference as he progresses to the semi-final. Meanwhile, Van Veen receives no league points and -6 leg difference due to his inability to perform.
In a social media post, the PDC said: « Gian van Veen has withdrawn from Thursday’s BetMGM Premier League in Dublin after being diagnosed with kidney stones. »
The remaining quarter-final clashes in Dublin see Stephen Bunting take on world champion Luke Littler, Josh Rock face Welsh ace Gerwyn Price and league leader Jonny Clayton tackle Luke Humphries. Clayton currently leads the standings after wins in Nottingham and Belfast and is eight points ahead of Littler, who lies second. Price, who won night two in Antwerp, sits in third ahead of Van Veen.
The absent Dutchman lies level on points with Price but also Humphries, with Van Gerwen a single point behind. Van Veen’s efforts to make finals night will take a blow as he suffers from kidney stones.
Thursday night in Dublin sees a determined Rock target success in a bid to lift himself from the bottom of the standings. Fellow Northern Irishman Daryl Gurney has called Rock ‘too nice’ in the competition.
Rock said: « Yes, I could do [channel my anger], but I need something to get me angry. I can’t just put it on.
« There are times there’s been matches I’ve been involved in when I’ve put the angry head on because something’s annoyed me during a game or whatever and I’ve been untouchable. But something like that has to happen for me to get me going.
« I just go up there and believe my ability is better than theirs on the night. Obviously, it’s not going to plan just at the minute, but that will change. »
Source link
