Luke Humphries faced a tough defeat from Gian van Veen in the ongoing 2026 World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Van Veen, ranked tenth in this year’s tournament, delivered an outstanding performance, securing a victory over the 2024 champion Humphries for the fifth consecutive time.
As a result of his win against Humphries, Van Veen not only advanced to the semi-final to face Gary Anderson but also climbed to the provisional third spot in the global rankings, making him the top-ranked Dutch player following Michael van Gerwen’s recent elimination from the championship.
The semi-final matchups have been set, with Van Veen set to take on Anderson, while Luke Littler will face Ryan Searle. Littler, who dominated Krzysztof Ratajski in a whitewash victory earlier on Thursday, predicted a close battle between Van Veen and Humphries, ultimately tipping the Dutch player for success.
After defeating Humphries, Van Veen expressed his joy, stating, “I am over the moon. I felt really good today, and my performance reflected that with a 105 average. It’s indescribable.” Recognizing Humphries as a formidable opponent, Van Veen highlighted the need for top-level performance to secure a win, expressing gratitude that his preparations paid off on the day.
Looking ahead to his semi-final clash against Gary Anderson, Van Veen revealed his excitement, stating, “I am really looking forward to a semi-final against, as many people know, my idol in Gary Anderson.”
In other news, Sky has announced a significant discount on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, offering savings of £336 and access to over 1,400 live matches across various sports leagues, including the Premier League, EFL, Formula 1, darts, and golf. Sky has also increased its live Premier League game coverage to at least 215 matches per season, providing viewers with a broader range of sporting events to enjoy.