While all eyes are on the Nordic Darts Masters this weekend, Gian van Veen took time to enjoy the Danish capital beyond the oche. The Dutch darter swapped the practice room for a short exploration of Copenhagen, treating himself to a quintessential Danish delicacy. Van Veen is in Copenhagen this week to compete in the Nordic Darts Masters, but decided to see what the city has to offer besides darts before his commitments began. “I’m here in Copenhagen for the Nordic Darts Masters, but today we’re doing something different,” he said. “We’re going to discover what this city has to offer. A small gift to myself.”
The young Dutchman started his outing with a brief stop, though he didn’t immediately reveal where he was headed. “Before I grab something to eat, I’m making one more stop. Much more important business,” Van Veen joked. After this mysterious detour, it was time for the culinary part of his day. During his walk through the city, Van Veen opted for a traditional Danish treat: a cinnamon roll. At the bakery he ordered a so-called kanelsnegl, a popular sweet snack loved across Denmark. The version he was served featured not only cinnamon but also a hint of orange. “Here it is, the kanelsnegl. I hope I’m pronouncing that right,” Van Veen laughed. “It’s a cinnamon roll, anyway. I think there’s orange filling in there too, but let’s give it a try.”
The first bite made an immediate positive impression on the Dutchman. A fan of sweet dishes, he appreciated the flavor right away. “Yes, this is really good. I love sweet food, so I’m definitely going to enjoy this.” As many food vloggers do these days, Van Veen decided to give his snack a rating. After his first impression, he landed on a score of 8 out of 10. Still, he wanted to finish the entire roll before delivering a final verdict. That verdict didn’t change. Once the last bite was gone, the Dutch darter stuck with his original score. “The food is gone. Thank you, Denmark, you didn’t disappoint me,” Van Veen concluded with satisfaction. “I’m sticking with my rating of 8.0. I really loved it.”
While the focus will fully shift to the stage matches in the coming days, Van Veen’s outing showed that an international darts event also leaves room to sample local culture and cuisine. For players who spend weeks moving from hotel to venue, moments like these are often a welcome change from a packed match schedule. With a successful first taste of one of Denmark’s best-known treats behind him, Van Veen can now turn his full attention back to his sporting ambitions at the Nordic Darts Masters. One thing is certain: when it comes to Danish cuisine, Copenhagen has already made an excellent first impression on the Dutchman. “An 8 out of 10,” was his final conclusion. “But we’re only just getting started.”
