Gian van Veen Set to Compete in Berlin Despite Ongoing Recovery from Kidney Stones Surgery

Dutch darts player Gian van Veen is planning to participate in the eighth night of the Premier League Darts in Berlin, despite still recovering from a recent surgery to remove kidney stones. Van Veen was forced to withdraw from the previous week's event in Dublin due to his health issues, where he was scheduled to face Michael van Gerwen. The 23-year-old announced on social media that he has arrived in Berlin and is preparing to face Gerwyn Price, saying "it feels good to say that I am in Berlin and I am planning to play tomorrow night." Currently, Van Veen sits in sixth place in the standings without a nightly win and is two points away from the Play-Off spots. He will face Price in the fourth quarter-final of the night. Due to his ongoing recovery, Van Veen will not be available for pre-event media. The PDC stated that this decision was made in agreement with Van Veen and his management to prioritize his health. Van Veen explained that his energy levels remain low after the surgery but is hopeful to be fit enough to compete in Berlin. He said, "Following the surgery to remove my kidney stones, recovery has been a process that requires patience... the fatigue is real. My energy levels are still lower than I hoped, and every day I have to be smart about how I use it." Van Veen has been practicing and working on his recovery, with the goal of making his comeback on the Premier League stage in Berlin. The event will take place on Thursday, with Jonny Clayton currently leading the table on 19 points, followed by Luke Littler on 16 points. The night's fixtures include Luke Littler facing Stephen Bunting, while Van Veen takes on Price for a place in the semi-finals.