Luke Humphries offered a blunt and unfiltered reaction after falling agonisingly short in the European Championship final, admitting with a curse that he had hoped his opponent would “s**t himself” under pressure.
The world No 1 was beaten 11–10 by rising Dutch star Gian van Veen in a dramatic contest in Dortmund on Sunday night.
Humphries, the reigning world champion, looked on course for victory after racing into a 4–1 lead, but Van Veen mounted a superb comeback to claim his first major PDC title.
The 24-year-old held his nerve in a tense deciding leg, surviving a match dart from Humphries to seal the biggest win of his career.
Despite the defeat, Humphries retained his position at the top of the world rankings and collected £60,000 in prize money.
Van Veen’s triumph, meanwhile, earned him £120,000 and propelled him into the world’s top ten for the first time.
Speaking to ITV Sport after the final, Humphries joked about the narrow loss with a flash of gallows humour.
Luke Humphries offered a blunt and unfiltered reaction after falling agonisingly short in the European Championship final, admitting with a curse that he had hoped his opponent would “s**t himself” under pressure
|ITV
“I was hoping he was going to s**t himself in the end, but he didn’t,” he said, before breaking into a wry smile.
He was quick, however, to praise his opponent’s performance and composure under pressure.
“The way Gian played in that second and third session was incredible,” Humphries added.
Luke Humphries sits at the summit of the darts rankings despite his defeat in Dortmund
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Gian van Veen pulled off a major victory over Luke Humphries on Friday night
|PA
“I knew this was coming for him. He’s an unbelievable player, he’s Premier League material, and I’m really proud of him.
“This is a tough one to take for me. I’m devastated, but I’m accepting of defeat. It just wasn’t my night.”
The defeat means the European Championship title remains one of the few major trophies missing from Humphries’ collection, alongside the UK Open.
Even so, his run to the final strengthened his world No 1 ranking, keeping him narrowly ahead of teenage sensation Luke Littler heading into the final stretch of the season.
Van Veen’s victory capped an extraordinary weekend for the Dutchman, who had battled through a bizarre injury in his semi-final against Michael van Gerwen that left his hands bloodied.
He showed no ill effects in the final, maintaining his composure and precision throughout the deciding leg to complete a famous win.
Luke Humphries was unable to add another title to his collection on Sunday
|PA
The new champion’s success marks another breakthrough moment for one of darts’ brightest young prospects.
Van Veen is already a former World Youth Championship winner and could claim that crown again next month — though his latest triumph may now see him elevated into more senior company.
Both Humphries and Van Veen will next compete at the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton, where a total prize fund of £650,000 will be on the line, including £150,000 for the winner.
Humphries lifted the trophy in 2023, while Van Veen reached the quarter-finals.