“The Giant” is in the semi-finals
Sensation in “Ally Pally”: Favorite flies out on edge
Updated on January 1, 2026 – 10:49 p.mReading time: 8 minutes
The last quarter-finals of the Darts World Cup have been played. However, the winner is not the former world champion Luke Humphries, but the new number one from the Netherlands.
He was considered one of the top favorites for the title at the Darts World Cup. But for Luke Humphries it’s over in the quarter-finals. The Englishman lost 1:5 against Gian van Veen on Thursday evening and has to bury his dream of a second World Cup title after 2024.
In London’s Alexandra Palace, the two opponents fought a high-class duel from the start. But as the game progressed, Humphries repeatedly made mistakes in his game. Van Veen knew how to use the mistakes consistently. The 23-year-old played one or two high finishes and impressed with a final average of over 105 points.
With the victory, Van Veen is now the new number three in the world – and also the new number one in his home country. For the first time since 2013, another Dutchman is ranked higher than three-time world champion Michael van Gerwen.
But “The Giant” doesn’t have long to celebrate his greatest success to date. The semi-finals will take place on Friday. Then van Veen meets the Scot Gary Anderson. In the other game, reigning champion Luke Littler will face Ryan Searle.
Humphries 1:5 van Veen (2:3, 3:1, 2:3, 1:3, 2:3, 1:3)
6th set, 4th leg – Yes, that was it! Van Veen is in the semi-finals and knocks out 2024 world champion Humphries. And he does it in a way that leaves you speechless. Van Veen starts the leg with 96 points and follows with 180 points – twice. Because Humphries misses his chance for the leg by throwing into the single bull, “The Giant” has the opportunity to win the match. He still has 45 points and sets double 16 over the 13, on which he has two match darts. All he needs is first and is therefore the new number three in the world – and the new number one in the Netherlands.
6th set, 3rd leg – And now things are getting very tight for Humphries. Because van Veen grabs the next leg and now only needs one more for the semi-finals. This time the 41 points are checked by “The Giant” via the 9, the 16 and the double 8. Was that it in this game?
6th set, 2nd leg – What else can Humphries counter here? A 180 takes him into the finish area, but he doesn’t manage to check the 81 points. Van Veen scratches the high finish again because he hits the triple-20 twice at 170 points. But instead of the bullseyes, his third arrow lands in the single bull. Humphries is now there and checks his 6 points via the double 3.