Darts star painfully walked into toilet wall before toppling Luke Littler to reach German Grand Prix final
GIAN VAN VEEN overcame injury to reach the German Grand Prix final - after walking into the TOILET wall!
The Dutchman saw off Ross Smith 6-3 in the quarter-final with a 97.5 average and landed six of his eight attempts at doubles.
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World Youth champion Van Veen looked to be cruising after racing into a 4-0 lead, but Smith clawed back to 4-2 after a slow start.
Van Veen was then seen visibly rubbing his right arm between every leg of the match.
Commentator Dan Dawson noticed the issue during the match.
He laughed and said: 'About halfway through the previous game, up in the players' room, Gian came out of the gents' toilet and walked straight into a wall.
'There's a sharp, pointy bit on the wall that really did leave its mark on him.
'He said at the time, 'Don't worry, it felt worse than it is. I'm fine'. But now I think he might be feeling it.'
His co-commentator added: 'Gian is throwing his arm around a lot as he walks back from the board.
'It looks a bit uncomfortable. He was cruising at 4-0.
'Maybe he has picked up an injury because he keeps rubbing it after every visit.'
Despite the discomfort, Van Veen put doubts to rest in the semi-final where he ended Luke Littler's eight match unbeaten run on the European Tour.
World No. 23 Van Veen produced a dazzling display to defeat the teen sensation 7-4 in Munich.
'The Giant' averaged 110 and hit two ton-plus checkouts—including a stunning 128 finish to halt Littler's momentum.
But his run ended against Dutch compatriot Michael van Gerwen who came through 8-5 to claim the title.
It was Van Veen's second European Tour final.
The 22-year-old already claimed his first ProTour title earlier this year after winning the Players Championship Six.
He said after his crushing defeat to MVG: 'I've had a phenomenal three days.
'Neither of us played our best game in the final.
'I played well on my own legs, but on Michael's throw I didn't perform, and he was the deserved winner.
'I'm a bit gutted to lose, but I'm really happy with second place, and hopefully my first European Tour title is coming soon!'
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