Gian van Veen was the last remaining Dutch player at the 2025 World Matchplay, but his impressive run came to an end in the quarter-finals at the hands of James Wade. Despite the loss, Van Veen remained composed and sportsmanlike—something many on social media noted was lacking from his opponent.
Wade has come under fire for seemingly ignoring Van Veen at the conclusion of the match, walking past him without a gesture of acknowledgment—a moment captured on the live broadcast and widely shared online. However, unseen by many, another exchange took place between the two just before the commercial break, offering a more balanced view of the incident.
With the win, Wade became the first player to secure a place in this year’s semi-finals. Remarkably, he stood on this very same stage two decades ago. Side-by-side comparisons of photos from then and now reveal a player who hasn’t strayed from his original setup: same stance, same darts, and that unmistakable focused expression. While Wade has aged, much about “The Machine” has remained unchanged—a testament to the power of finding the right style and sticking with it.
Gian van Veen can’t believe what happens against this amateur player
This week the Dutchman did beat the world number 1 Luke Humphries at the World Matchplay but when he entered this game against this YouTuber he couldn’t imagine this would end in this way.
On Thursday evening, he once again demonstrated the class and composure that have kept him relevant in an increasingly competitive field. The professional darts circuit has seen its standard skyrocket in recent years, yet Wade continues to thrive. As one of the sport’s enduring figures from its earlier days, his continued success is as impressive as it is rare.
His post-match celebration and brief emotional outburst may not have been the most graceful toward his opponent, but Wade made amends shortly after, engaging with Van Veen in a more respectful manner during the follow-up interaction.
Wade will return to the iconic Winter Gardens stage on Saturday night, where he will face Jonny Clayton for a coveted spot in the World Matchplay final. With history on his side and form on his side, Wade remains a formidable contender.