The Left Hand

[CptSquall]

Leif posing for a promotional article during the regional Danish Football Tournament. He played for the Bornholm Gladiators.

Like any young, European kid, Leif Physt has always had a passion for sports. Sports are in his family's blood, his father Lars Physt played in the Danish National Leagues and even for Denmark in various international tournaments for 19 years. His grandfather played matches in Germany both during, and after the first world war. His uncle is retired SHL Defenceman Richard Physt, who made a modest career for himself in North American Hockey.

All this to say that Leif has had access to the advice from athletes and access to their training grounds all his life. Born in the south western corner of Bornholm Island to Lars and Annetta Physt, Dairy Farmers. Leif comes from humble beginnings, showing both desire and affinity for Football at the tender age of four. Physical fitness was not only a priority, but a passion for the young Dane.

"I looked to my family and found role models as pillars of strength. My grandfather a veteran who helped on the farm until 89. My father who was an accomplished athlete for so long. I had so much to life up to. People i wanted to be like. So it was an easy choice."

All of this built in passion lead to him learning his way in both school and local programs. Leif relished every opportunity. It was not too long into things that his coaches at the U13 level noticed him.

"They used to say i stood out because i was just dogged on the chase. You had some boys and girls who were only there to make friends and eat the orange slices you know? But others, like me i guess, wanted to play, and win. Winning was the ultimate challenge. To find a way to help win every game was always the biggest goal. So why not try for it every time?"

Filled with this limitless passion that translated into his play, Leif tore up the season and basically willed his side to the finals. Though they would fall short, his high school would provide the next level of opportunities.

"High school gave me a much better taste of what the beautiful game could be like. Everyone wants to win because it was a matter of school pride. Who wants to lose to the big shot Zealanders (The Island where the capital, Copenhagen is located.), or the Swedish teams in Skåne? I found I wasn't big enough. Strong enough. So I looked into body builders, over in America. Sven-Ole Thorsen is a national treasure in Denmark, i wanted to look like him."

This lead to stronger performances, but also a change in Leif's game from a roving striker, to more of a controlled midfielder favoring the right side of the pitch.

Finally, with his last years in School programs finishing up, the promising young, Danish prodigy is now draft eligible for the SSL. Having finished his last couple years as a competent Midfielder on the right side.

"I would say I model myself as a more physically opposing version of Mesut Özil. Someone cerebral, who is so technically sound and controlling, yet can be aggressive when needed.

When asked of the SSL draft and hearing that his name is being talked about.

I am excited. I want to take on this whole league and see what will happen."

Who will look to take this Midfielder come draft day and have a piece of Danish Dynamite to wield against their opponents?