Gian van Veen fought off a determined James Wade to earn a place in the semi‑final of the Betfred World Matchmatch, where he will meet Gerwyn Price in what promises to be a high‑octane clash at the historic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The Dutchman survived a tense quarter‑final that swung back and forth before finally clinching a 16‑13 victory, a result that not only propelled him into the last four for the first time in his career but also set up a showdown with the world No. 3, Price, who had just dispatched Ross Smith in a 16‑12 win.
The match began slowly for both competitors, with each struggling to find a rhythm during the opening half. Wade, who had fallen behind 11‑7, sparked a dramatic resurgence by taking four consecutive legs, pulling the score level and injecting fresh life into the contest.
From there, the standard of play lifted considerably. Both players began to hit high‑value checkouts, with several ton‑plus finishes on display, signalling that the quarter‑final had finally hit its stride. Van Veen’s overall average for the evening was a modest 93, a figure that would normally invite criticism from the crowd. Nevertheless, he managed to quiet the booing sections by delivering under pressure, sealing the last two legs of the match and sealing a 16‑13 win.
His composure in the decisive moments was a key factor, especially after Wade’s spirited comeback attempts. On the other side of the draw, Gerwyn Price entered the semi‑final after a convincing 16‑12 triumph over Ross Smith. Price posted a 102.78 average and rattled off ten maximums (180s) during his quarter‑final, demonstrating the heavy‑handed scoring power that has made him a perennial threat on the televised circuit.
After surrendering a 12‑8 lead, Price rallied with a string of four straight legs to regain control, ultimately securing his first World Matchplay semi‑final since 2022. Price’s run this season has been impressive; the Welshman has already reached the semi‑final stage in three other televised events – the World Masters, the UK Open and the Premier League – highlighting his consistent form and his capacity to peak at the crucial moments. In his quarter‑final against Smith, Price opened the match with three legs of his own, then produced a 117 checkout to hold his throw in the second leg.
After a brief pause, he unleashed a three‑leg burst, only for Smith to answer with a stunning 12‑dart finish (a 12‑darter) that kept the contest tight. The two players exchanged breaks of throw as the match progressed, with Price eventually pulling ahead by three legs. He then compiled a 13‑dart finish followed by a 121 checkout, a 91 double‑double, and finally a 14‑dart finish to seal the win.
Post‑match, Price told Sky Sports, "Ross played a decent game as well, so it's nice to play well when someone else is playing well. It gives you a bit of confidence going into the next round. For him to get back to 12‑12, I thought ‘here we go again’, but thankfully I rode off four legs on the bounce.
The 91 double‑double got the blood boiling. I'm thankful I played pretty decent tonight." Turning back to the Van Veen‑Wade encounter, the early stages of the quarter‑final were relatively low‑scoring, with both men averaging around the 90‑point mark.
Van Veen did, however, showcase his finishing flair by hitting a 160 checkout to move ahead 9‑6 at the third interval. After a brief lapse that allowed Wade to narrow the gap, Van Veen responded with a series of strong legs, extending his lead to 11‑7.
Wade then mounted a spirited comeback, taking a 79 checkout on the bullseye and then a 121 finish to hold his throw for a fourth straight leg, which levelled the match at 12‑12. Van Veen, refusing to be rattled, hit a crucial 118 checkout to claim the next two legs, putting himself just one leg away from victory.
Wade answered with a 121 finish of his own, but Van Veen steadied the ship with a 75 checkout, followed by a flawless 13‑dart finish that sealed the 16‑13 win and put him within a single match of a potential climb to the world No. 2 ranking.
Reflecting on his performance, Van Veen admitted to a difficult night: "It felt very poor! My scoring was so terrible. I was so lucky James [Wade] wasn't scoring as well and my finishing got me through. A win is a win.
The 118 finish – I really needed it. It was a tight battle but I'm glad I got the job done. Hopefully tomorrow I will be a lot better." His candour highlighted the fine margins that often decide elite darts matches.
The semi‑finals are set to be best‑of‑33 legs affairs, with the winners advancing to a best‑of‑35 final on Sunday. Defending champion Luke Littler will attempt to retain his crown against Dirk van Duijvenbode, who reached the last four for the first time at this tournament. Meanwhile, Price will test Van Veen’s newfound momentum in a semi‑final that could produce a headline‑making final. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage beginning at 7.30 pm on Sky Sports Action and continuing around 9 pm on Sky Sports Main Event.
For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live darts alongside other top‑tier sports. The 2026 Betfred World Matchplay continues to deliver drama, skill and the occasional upset as the world’s best gather in Blackpool’s iconic venue.