Luke Littler denies nine-dart Gian van Veen to clinch Poland Darts Open title

Luke Littler defied a sensational nine-darter from Gian van Veen to scoop the inaugural Poland Darts Open title in Kraków on Sunday.

The PDC’s first European Tour event in Poland culminated with Littler and Van Veen going head-to-head in a repeat of last month’s World Championship final.

Littler ran out a comprehensive seven sets to one winner on that occasion, and the world number one produced another imperious display to pocket the £35,000 top prize on Polish soil.

Van Veen made a terrific start to the final, following up a 112 checkout with a 14-dart hold to level at two apiece, before producing perfection in leg five of the contest.

The Dutch number one followed up back-to-back 180s with a nerveless 141 checkout, capping off his first nine-darter on the big stage and sending the capacity crowd into raptures at a sold-out EXPO Kraków.

However, Littler responded with an immediate break of throw in leg six, which he backed up with legs of 14, 14 and 12 darts to establish a commanding 6-3 advantage.

Van Veen halted Littler’s charge with a 74 finish in leg ten, but the 19-year-old was not to be denied, sealing the next two legs in just 28 darts to complete an 8-4 victory with a 108 average.

“It’s been a very good weekend for myself,” reflected Littler, fresh from lifting his fifth European Tour title.

“I felt really good throughout the tournament. In the first three weeks of the Premier League I’ve not felt the best, so I definitely needed this one.

“I wanted to come here and win the title and that’s what I’ve done. Most importantly it was about playing well, getting that average up and hitting my doubles.

“My first game against Mike De Decker was incredible, and I’m very happy and very confident now going into Belfast on Thursday.”

Littler was imperious from start to finish in Kraków, having kicked off his title challenge with a 113.8 average and a 100 per cent checkout success rate in his 6-1 thumping of De Decker on Saturday.

The teenager continued his charge with another ton-plus average and a 6-2 victory over Ross Smith, and an emphatic 6-1 rout of Josh Rock sealed his spot in the semi-finals.

Chris Dobey awaited Littler in the Last Four, and the reigning two-time World Champion delivered another dominant display, averaging almost 106 to close out a 7-3 victory.

Despite his nine-dart heroics, Van Veen was denied a maiden European Tour title, and he admitted his moment of magic against Littler may have had a detrimental impact.

“I wish I missed that double 12!” joked Van Veen.

“Of course I’m very happy to hit the nine-darter, but I think everyone noticed in the next two or three legs, I wasn’t good.

“I was so excited about the nine-darter – my first one on the stage, and that probably cost me the final today.

“Fair play to Luke. As he said, that spurred him on. That’s how he reads the game, and that’s why he is world number one.

“Obviously I’m gutted with the result. I’m getting a bit tired of losing finals now, but it’s part of the game and I’m happy to make another final. It’s been a great weekend.”

Following his deciding-leg victory over Andrew Gilding on Saturday evening, Van Veen kicked off Finals Day with another 6-5 success at the expense of Nathan Aspinall, overturning a 4-2 deficit in the process.

The European Champion then produced a scintillating 107 average to dispatch his fellow countryman Wessel Nijman 6-2 in the quarter-finals, which he backed up with a dramatic 7-5 win over world number two Luke Humphries.

The pair both faltered on the outer ring in a dramatic finale, before the Dutchman regained his poise to defeat Humphries for the seventh time in their last eight meetings.

Humphries recorded a brace of 6-1 victories against Boris Krcmar and Stephen Bunting to confirm his place in the semi-finals, only to fall short in his bid for a second ranking title of 2026.

The 2024 World Champion was joined in the last four by Dobey, who fought back from 4-1 down to stun Luke Woodhouse in the Last 16, before sweeping aside a resurgent Michael Smith in the quarter-finals.

Smith accounted for Premier League table-topper Jonny Clayton in reaching the Last Eight, as Nijman and Premier League duo Rock and Bunting completed the quarter-final line-up.

Poland Darts Open 2026 Day Three Results

Sunday February 22

Afternoon Session

Last 16
Luke Littler 6-2 Ross Smith
Cristo Reyes 3-6 Josh Rock
Luke Woodhouse 5-6 Chris Dobey
Jonny Clayton 4-6 Michael Smith
Luke Humphries 6-1 Boris Krcmar
Stephen Bunting 6-1 Jermaine Wattimena
Gian van Veen 6-5 Nathan Aspinall
Wessel Nijman 6-1 Cameron Menzies

Evening Session

Quarter-Finals
Luke Littler 6-2 Josh Rock
Chris Dobey 6-2 Michael Smith
Luke Humphries 6-1 Stephen Bunting
Gian van Veen 6-2 Wessel Nijman

Semi-Finals
Luke Littler 7-3 Chris Dobey
Gian van Veen 7-5 Luke Humphries

Final
Luke Littler 8-4 Gian van Veen – *Van Veen hits a nine-darter*