{"id":283520,"date":"2026-02-06T07:31:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T07:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/283520\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T07:31:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T07:31:07","slug":"van-gerwen-triumphs-on-opening-night-of-premier-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/283520\/","title":{"rendered":"Van Gerwen triumphs on opening night of Premier League"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michael van Gerwen hopes to keep challenging in the Premier League after storming to victory on the opening night in Newcastle with a 6-4 win over Gian van Veen in the final.<\/p>\n

Debutant Van Veen dispatched Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton on his way to facing seven-time Premier League winner Van Gerwen in an all-Dutch final.<\/p>\n

Van Gerwen raced ahead to take a 3-1 lead, but Van Veen put up a fight and remained close behind the world number four throughout.<\/p>\n

With a 5-4 advantage, Van Gerwen was able to hit double 14 to win the match and open this year’s Premier League campaign with victory, having not won a night in the 2025 tournament.<\/p>\n

He said: “Mentally, I\u2019m strong and I know what I\u2019m capable of. As long as you keep on your own ability and performances, I know I\u2019m capable of doing this.<\/p>\n

“Last year I had a very crap Premier League, if I can say that. As long as you keep believing your own ability anything is possible.<\/p>\n

“I\u2019m going to give it a go, I\u2019m going to challenge anything that comes in my path. I want to beat them, simple as that.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s a very long route, but winning games is the best medicine for your form and everything.<\/p>\n

“As long as you keep battling your own battles, winning games, you get confidence then (that) anything is possible.”<\/p>\n

VAN GERWEN WINS WEEK ONE!<\/p>\n

Michael van Gerwen wins in Newcastle \ud83d\udfe2<\/p>\n

MvG averages seven points higher than Gian van Veen to win 6-4 and pick up the first five points of 2026!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa https:\/\/t.co\/LnNAPX0oQz<\/a> #PLDarts<\/a> | Final pic.twitter.com\/HPNXfcJHor<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) February 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Van Gerwen eased into the final four with a 6-2 quarter-final victory over Stephen Bunting, winning six successive legs having trailed 2-0.<\/p>\n

The Dutchman then came up against Luke Humphries after the world number two edged through with a 6-5 win over Gerwyn Price in the last eight.<\/p>\n

A tight semi-final saw Van Gerwen pull away, where he hit a 114 checkout to reach the final and the Dutchman was pleased with his performance.<\/p>\n

Van Gerwen said: “I think I did OK. Of course I know exactly what I did, I played (the) first game OK. After that I did everything at the right moments, whether it was finishing or the scoring.<\/p>\n

“Whenever I had to do well, I did well and that makes you win games. Of course winning the points, that\u2019s the most important thing in the Premier League, winning points.”<\/p>\n

Van Gerwen moves to the top of the standings, two points ahead of compatriot Van Veen, who reached the final in stunning fashion, starting with a quarter-final upset against world champion Littler.<\/p>\n

In a rematch of this year\u2019s World Championship final \u2013 where Littler emerged victorious \u2013 the Dutchman battled to a 6-4 victory over the world number one.<\/p>\n

A cagey final leg saw Van Veen miss double six as he looked to wrap up the match before Littler attempted a 95 checkout, but fell just short and the Dutchman held his nerve to clinch the win.<\/p>\n

Victory set up a semi-final meeting with Clayton after the 2021 Premier League champion averaged 109.81 in beating debutant Josh Rock 6-2 in the first match of the night.<\/p>\n

Van Veen struggled slightly on the outer ring early in the semi-final, but in the final leg he threw an 11-darter and finished with a 42 checkout to win 6-4, booking his spot in his maiden Premier League final.<\/p>\n