Chatting Bull with Dan Dawson - Issue #025
Gian van Veen is a special darts player. The 23 year old has just won only his second senior title in PDC darts, and it happens to be a big one - the European Championship.
The rising Dutch star beat a series of players in the top 25 of the world rankings, culminating in victories over Michael van Gerwen and then world number one Luke Humphries, averaging 100 for the tournament. It is a world class achievement. But even before he had fallen asleep in bed next to the trophy that night, the talk had turned to whether he would be in next year’s Premier League… and it bores me to tears.
Yes, the Premier League is a hugely prestigious and lucrative tournament, in which almost all (not quite 100%) top professionals want to compete. Gian himself, in his typically eloquent way, has said he would love to debut in it next year. However, even discussing it at this point is not only practically pointless, but almost detracts from his achievement in Dortmund last weekend.
The European Championship is not just a stepping-stone to bigger things, it could end up being the biggest title he wins in his whole career (I do not believe that is the case, but there is a possibility). Similarly, with the Grand Slam, Players Championship Finals and a £5,000,000 World Championship all to be played in the next two months, there are countless possibilities that could see other players jump ahead of Van Veen in the running for the Premier League.
It is worth remembering that Gian is yet to win a single match at Alexandra Palace, and another early exit this year would certainly jeopardise his hopes of being included in such an invitational event. Not only that, but Mike de Decker failed to be included this year despite his Grand Prix victory, and Joe Cullen was not picked in 2023 despite missing darts to win the previous year’s Premier League! Nothing is certain, everything is in flux, and the constant futile speculation achieves little, other than to perhaps further stoke the ire of some fans/players when the selections are eventually announced in January.
The Premier League discourse stalks darts at every turn. It is Freddy Krueger haunting the major title dreams of pro darters, Leatherface whirling his chainsaw through the celebrations of players’ greatest victories, or Michael Myers behind the doorway with a knife, as Jamie Lee Curtis screams “the European Championship is a significant achievement in its own right!”. Even now, as I write about the folly of it all, I am engaging in the very same discourse. There is no escape from it. It does not relent. The Premier League discussion is under your bed and ready to jump out at any moment. Hopefully Gian still slept soundly next to the European Championship trophy though… he deserved to.
Issue #025 Quiz Answers
1) 2011
2) 76
3) 5
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