Humphries had a dream start against Van Veen, just like against Danny Noppert earlier in the evening. But just like against Noppert, he had to watch as his opponent completely returned to the match during session two. The 23-year-old Van Veen impressed at times, including with a 160 finish.
Van Veen took the lead and then had to ensure that he kept his own legs. That didn’t work, because Humphries broke it and came back to 9-9. Cool Hand Luke immediately had the advantage that he had started the match and in theory no longer needed a break. But Van Veen still had a trick up his sleeve and struck back in the subsequent leg won by Humphries. Then he could finish it on his own.
That didn’t work, but the finale had a twist. Van Veen broke Humphries for the umpteenth time and was able to celebrate his first major title.
Semi-finals
Michael van Gerwen showed a high level against his compatriot Van Veen, especially in the first legs of the second session. He quickly walked away from Van Veen, 13 years younger, who was not quite there happy seemed to be on the oche. At the end of the second session, when it was only 6-4 for Van Gerwen, he even seemed to indicate that things were not going well due to a wound on his index finger.
Michael van Gerwen, Gian van Veen and Danny Noppert to the European Championship quarter-finals, Luke Littler already eliminated
After a short break, Van Veen seemed to appear fresher again in the third session. But he had to make up a break against the excellent thrower Mighty Mike. Van Veen succeeded in this because he continued to raise his level. But immediately after making it 7-7, Van Gerwen struck again with a break. Van Veen’s answer came just as quickly, because Van Gerwen failed to make it 9-7 with two arrows on double-16.
Van Gerwen impressed a little later with a 156 finish, but because Van Veen had started he needed a break to reach the final. The tension was noticeable among the Vlijmen resident, who did not have a happy evening with his doubles anyway. At 9-9 he missed three chances to finish it off. Van Veen then finished it off with a break.
Danny Noppert in semi-finals
Noppert was the third Dutchman in the semi-finals. He met the number 1 in the world: Luke Humphries. The Englishman showed why he is at the top of the rankings. Because although he didn’t even throw his best game, he fatally ran away to 5-0 in the first session.
TheFreeze had to change his approach and did an excellent job in the second session by winning the first three legs in a row. So after the second session there was suddenly a not hopeless 6-4 (for Humphries) on the board. Noppert continued happily after the second break with a few impressive finishes above 100. He walked away to an 8-6.
But Humphries also showed he could fight. Just like in the beginning, the 2024 world champion won five legs in a row and secured a place in the final.