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Gian van Veen wins European Championship with stunning comeback against Humphries

Van Veen celebrates his semi-final win
Van Veen celebrates his semi-final winMichael Cooper / PDC

Gian van Veen of the Netherlands produced a sensational comeback to defeat world No. 1 Luke Humphries and claim the European Championship in Dortmund.

Humphries appeared to be in control, racing into a 4-1 lead, but Van Veen fought back to level the match at 4-4 after the Englishman missed a 25 checkout in the seventh leg.

The Dutchman then moved ahead 8-6, and what followed was a tense exchange of legs, with neither player able to establish more than a single-leg advantage.

In a gripping climax, Van Veen held his nerve to secure an 11-10 victory, capping a final that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

To reach the final, Van Veen had to navigate past compatriot Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals and Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney in the quarters. 

As for Humphries, he edged an in-form Danny Noppert in his last-four clash, having earlier thrashed Luke Littler slayer James Wade earlier in the day.

Home hopes were dashed in the quarter-finals, when Germany's Ricardo Pietreczko fell to Noppert after a remarkable run in Dortmund. 

Results

Quarter-finals

Joyce 5-10 Van Veen

Van Gerwen 10-7 Gurney

Noppert 10-5 Pietreczko

Wade 3-10 Humphries

Semi-finals

Van Veen 11-9 Van Gerwen

Noppert 8-11 Humphries 

Final

Humphries 10-11 Van Veen

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