Gian van Veen's own prediction comes true as he sets up thrilling Luke Littler final

Gian van Veen will take on Luke Littler in the final of the World Championship. The 23-year-old's 5-1 demolition of 2024 champion Luke Humphries in Thursday's quarter-final booked his ticket to only his third major semi-final, where Gary Anderson lay in wait.

Although the Dutchman was pushed all the way by the 55-year-old, he managed to come out on top, winning 6-3 at Alexandra Palace. Littler, meanwhile, is just one win away from a historic defence of his title after bulldozing his way to another final.

The 18-year-old looks like an unstoppable force. He demolished Ryan Searle 6-1 in his semi-final, stretching his unbeaten run on the Alexandra Palace stage to 12 matches and counting.

Speaking before his semi-final win over Anderson, Van Veen revealed he believed he posed the greatest challenge to the 18-year-old’s reign as world champion. Asked whether he thought he was the closest player to Littler, Van Veen said: "Left in the tournament? Then yes.

"I don't know, to be honest. If I play like I did [against Humphries] then maybe. I've beaten him a couple of times on the European Tour, gave him a good game at the World Grand Prix, but he stood up to it and played phenomenally.

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"I know I can give him a game, but to beat him, especially on the biggest stage of all, is going to be tough. But if I keep performing, I can definitely give him a good game."

Before he continued: "I need to be world champion or world No 1 to become elite.

"Right now, world No 3, semi-finalist, beating Humphries again in a very good game - okay, maybe I'm one of the elite players in the sport, but I wouldn't say I'm top five in the world.

"I'm feeling really good and know that if I play like I did today, I can beat anyone. It's just on me to show that game after game, like elite players do."

He then concluded: "I haven't started visualising lifting the trophy yet. When you are in a semi-final, you start dreaming.

"It's going to be very tricky. Anderson up next, Littler or Searle in the final. It's not going to be easy, but if I keep performing like I did tonight, I've got a good chance."

Reflecting on his win over Searle, Littler said: "I went 1-0 down, I wasn't the happiest. I thought I didn't play that well - everyone knows I want to go 1-0 up.

"Big shout out to Ryan he's done amazingly this tournament - he can be proud. We go again tomorrow."

Asked about who he wanted to play in the final, Littler replied: "It's going to be a brilliant game. I don't mind who I play. They're both good lads, but yeah, whoever hits their doubles first wins that match."