‘LITTLER CAN’T BEAT ME IN A LONG MATCH, HE’S NOT DISCIPLINED’ – VAN VEEN FIRES SHOT AT DARTS PHENOM
Dutch star claims teenage sensation’s focus on showmanship will be his undoing
Dutch darts veteran Gian van Veen has launched a stunning verbal assault on teenage sensation Luke Littler, insisting the 19 year-old “cannot beat me in a long match” due to a fundamental lack of discipline and an obsession with hype over performance.
Speaking exclusively to Darts Insider, the 42-year-old van Veen did not hold back as he dissected Littler’s meteoric rise, warning that the youngster’s love for crowd-pleasing moments will eventually expose a fatal weakness.
“Luke is incredibly talented – I’ll give him that,” van Veen said. “But talent alone doesn’t win you a best-of-31 leg match. He’s not disciplined. He gets distracted by the walk-ons, the social media noise, the constant attention. He plays for the highlight reel, not for the win.”
Littler, who shot to fame after reaching the PDC World Championship final at just 16, has become darts’ biggest crossover star. But van Veen believes that celebrity has come at a cost.
“You watch him – he’s already thinking about the 170 checkout before he’s won the leg. In a short format, that’s fine. Over a long distance? That’s suicide. I’ve seen players like that come and go. They burn bright, then burn out.”
Van Veen, a two-time Challenge Tour winner known for his gritty, methodical style, said he would relish a lengthy showdown with Littler.
“Put us in a match of 30, 40 legs – I’ll grind him down. He doesn’t have the patience. His concentration wavers after an hour. That’s when I strike. He can’t beat me in a long match. Not now, maybe not ever.”
The Dutchman also took aim at what he perceives as a media circus surrounding Littler, arguing it has created unrealistic expectations.
“Every week, it’s a new headline: ‘Littler does this, Littler does that.’ But when was the last time he won a major ranking event over multiple days? The hype is writing cheques his performance can’t cash. He’s more famous than he is good – and that’s dangerous for a young player.”
Littler has yet to respond directly to van Veen’s comments, though the teenager recently posted a cryptic message on social media: “Silence is the best answer.” His manager declined to comment when approached.
Reaction from the darts world has been split. Former world champion Raymond van Barneveld told BBC Sport: “Richard is experienced, but Luke is special. That said, a long format is a different animal. I understand where Richard is coming from.”
But Wayne Mardle, now a pundit, dismissed van Veen’s claims. “Luke beat world-class players in set play at the Worlds. That’s the ultimate test of discipline. Richard is underestimating him badly.”
The two players are not currently scheduled to meet on the PDC ProTour, but van Veen called for a showdown. “Let’s settle it on the oche. 40 legs. No walk-on music, no cameras every second. Just darts. Then we’ll see who’s obsessed with hype.”
Whether the PDC will entertain the call remains unclear. But van Veen’s words have added fresh fuel to an already fiery debate over whether Littler’s explosive rise can withstand the sport’s most grueling tests.
One thing is certain: if a long-format clash ever materializes, darting eyes will be watching every single dart.
