T.J. Basalla
banner
tjbasalla.bsky.social
T.J. Basalla
@tjbasalla.bsky.social
Content Strategist. Syracuse Grad. Clevelander. Cat Dad. Terrible Putter. Evertonian. Craft Beer Guy. Bluesky’s pro darts ambassador in the USA. Writing about darts (and more) at tjbasalla.substack.com
Gian is not only a brilliant player, but he’s a class lad and a brilliant interview. Darts has another fab ambassador to join Humphries.

youtu.be/SgjxDQkiP9o?...
"I Felt a Bit Annoyed!" Gian van Veen Reflects on Crowd Influence After Reaching PDC World Final
YouTube video by talkSPORT Darts
youtu.be
January 3, 2026 at 12:16 AM
I’ve been following pro darts religiously since just around the pandemic. This is my seventh world championship I’ve followed end to end.

It easily is my favorite one I’ve ever watched.
January 2, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Hey look at that. I nailed the final (ignore the other two semifinalists. Although Noppert was brilliant )
Final 4 Picks

Litter over Schindler
Van Veen over Noppert

Our final would be a rematch of the 2023 World Youth Final, featuring the best player in the world and the only "Non-Luke" to win a major this season.

Picking against Littler would be fun. But also stupid.

Winner: Littler 7 sets to 2.
a man wearing a target shirt is standing in front of an xbox logo
ALT: a man wearing a target shirt is standing in front of an xbox logo
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:36 PM
You get a Big Fish!

You get a Big Fish!
a woman in a red dress is holding a microphone in her hand and raising her fist in the air .
ALT: a woman in a red dress is holding a microphone in her hand and raising her fist in the air .
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM
A harmless miscount for Gary 🤣
January 2, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Van veen ten darter to break back

THE DARTS ARE GOOD MY FRIENDS
January 2, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Jason Sudeikis interview with my gal Abi Davies!
January 2, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
Gian van Veen making the coffin dance song a legit darts walk-on full with chanting crowd in the year 2026 is probably the biggest accomplishment of his rise
January 2, 2026 at 9:12 PM
Two of the most insanely likable guys in darts. Two of the most fun to watch. A living legend. A rising star. A world semifinal.

LET’S
GO
January 2, 2026 at 9:13 PM
The thing about Luke Littler matches is that he leaves his opponents ZERO margin for error. To a level I’ve NEVER seen before.
January 2, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Ryan Searle hasn’t won a leg since he threw a 15
January 2, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Thanks for coming Ryan Searle.

Let’s get to Ando and GVV please.
January 2, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Ryan Searle was in full control and then threw a 15 😮😬🤦‍♂️
January 2, 2026 at 8:20 PM
Semifinal predictions are pretty straight forward. I predicted a Littler-GVV final and that isn’t changing.

Littler 6-2 Searle
GVV 6-4 Anderson
January 2, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
"Guy in charge of the stage at the Sugar Bowl becoming increasingly frustrated" is a Tim Robinson character.
January 2, 2026 at 4:57 AM
Big ten crew!
January 2, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
We’re about to have four different kinds of hilarious possible champions, I don’t hate this at ALL
January 2, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Oh i could see them not getting a kick off
January 2, 2026 at 4:43 AM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
The makeup call against Georgia in a few minutes is going to hit like a thunderbolt
January 2, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
Fine, I'll say it: I don't think Kirby Smart should have called the "Gunnar Stockton gets obliterated immediately" play. That's not a 4th-down call.
January 2, 2026 at 4:05 AM
CACKLING
January 2, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
I think half the line thought it was a hard count
January 2, 2026 at 4:04 AM
BAGAHAHAH
January 2, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Reposted by T.J. Basalla
Sean McDonough tonight
January 2, 2026 at 4:01 AM