“I played for the U15-team, along with Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Falk, and had some problems at the start. However, as time went by I developed and became a regular part of the youth team."

"I have had some great experiences with the youth national teams, and have been a significant part of every one of them, so it is something I appreciate."

"We have a very hungry player, who is capable of playing on a high level and not just here to learn. He wants to achieve something for himself and his team."

"It is fantastic for his development that he in a young age already have won over 30 caps in the Danish Superliga. Some of them might have been on different positions, but it has given him some routine and I think it is important to remember that some of the best stoppers in the world started in other positions. Puyol started as a winger, and learned the offensive play that way," Bech says.

"He doesn’t have to worry about playing abroad, if his development continues like this, it will come all by itself."

After being a part of the youth department in Odense BK, this young player is now finding his place in the Danish Betsafe Liga club Hobro IK. This week, we keep an eye on Oliver Kirk Larsen.

Oliver Larsen joined Odense BK from Dalum IF as a first year Junior and went trough a trial along with other players. After each training, some of the hopeful players was sent home while others went trough to the next selection. Larsen said:

"I was really uncertain about myself, and just waited to be sent home. However, it never happened and out of nothing I was a part of the youth squad."

Since then, Oliver Larsen became a regular player on the youth teams he represented in Odense, and finally became a part of the Superliga squad. Here, he made a number of matches for the reserves, as well as Superliga debut as 19-year old against FC Nordsjælland. The defender said:

"It was amazing! I was'nt even a part of the squad at the time and did'nt expect to be given any match time. I thought I was only there as a backup in case something crazy should happen. Then, Rasmus Falk picked up an injury, and they decided to bring me on in front of 12.000 people. "

After spending much of his youth career in Odense, as well as playing five senior matches for the club, his contract was not extended. However, Oliver Larsen decided to look forward and hoped that some club would be interested in him. In fact, the defender had to chose between two Betsafe Liga clubs; FC Fyn and Hobro IK.

The young defender thought of his options, and decided to join Hobro instead of the local club FC Fyn:

"It was simply because of the way they play in Hobro. Here in Hobro, I had the impression that they really wants to play football and I my head I believe that you learn more from playing the ball rather than just kick and rush."

In Hobro IK, the coach Klavs Rasmussen was happy with what he saw from Oliver Larsen, during his trial, but he also had a word with his contacts in Odense before signing the player. The coach also believes that the defenders past in a Superliga squad has had it's impact:

"He has a feeling of what it is all about, understanding, he wants to become better, and even though he is not playing, he is still keeping focus on becoming a better player. He has'nt played regularly, but has still challenged his talent and kept on going during training. That is possibly why he has played well when he has got the chance."

Even though, signing with Hobro IK can be seen as a step down for Oliver Larsen, he is happy being a part of the club.

He said: "When I joined the club I saw it as a stepping stone to a new Superliga club. However, I have learned a lot from playing here and have gotten many new friends."

Even though, he is happy at the club Larsen admits that a Superliga club has high priority. However, he is determined to stay in the club till the end of his contract.

A dream scenario for the young player is to play in England at some point of his career and represent one of the major clubs.

He's 21, vice captain and has played more than fifty matches for the first team of Odense BK. However, Daniel Høegh has not had the easiest way to the top.

In 2004, Høegh joined Odense Bk and started his way up through the youth department. During his time at the clubs U16 team he won the Danish U16 Championship and was less or more a regular part of the team. However, Daniel Høegh is not the typical talent:

'I have never considered myself as the greatest talent; in my youth years, I played on the same team as Christian Eriksen [Ajax Amsterdam] and by the age of fifteen, his future career was already clear. I was not always a part of the first team and had matches for the reserves as well, so it has not always been a bed of roses for me'.

However, the defender continued to work hard and found himself in the squad for a Superliga match against SønderjyskE in 2008. The talent did not get his debut at this time but had a taste of life as a proffesional.

After another selection for the squad - again against SønderjyskE - in 2009, Høegh started playing with the reserves despite his young age. Here, he convinced the coaches that he was ready to take the next step and got his debut in Superligaen against Fc Midtjylland in 2010. the debut was followed up by a contract lasting for 2 years.

'Throug out my youth years I have been hungry for a professional career, which I now have achieved. It is a dream coming true, and I am living it now'.

Daniel Høegh was quick to grab his chance at the Superliga team and has become a profile for the club. Coach Troels Bech has some promising words about his defender:

'He is an attentive player who is fast to learn some experience. He has a good speed and technique as well as a great passing play, and he is strong in the air'.

Despite his young age, Høegh has gathered some routine and is vice captain for Odense. The talent is hoping to become the captain one day as it will be 'a great honour'. The defender might have a chance of this, Bech says:

'It happens more often that he takes responsibility and the command. It is a good sign especially as he is a young stopper and has a position on the pitch where he can communicate'.

Daniel Høegh might have learned the leader role from watching his idol Daniel Agger. The young defender finds some 'equal signs' in his own and Aggers way to professional football. Furthermore, Liverpool is the favorite team of the Odense comet.

The international career has so far given Høegh twenty three matches. He was also given match time in the two meetings against Spain last week. Here, Denmark was sent out of the U21 Euro qualification with an 8-1 loss over two matches. Despite the two lost matches, Høegh finds the positive in the meetings with Spain:

'It was a great experience to get because it was against players who plays on a higher level than us. I believe that I showed some skills and that we were a part of the game'.

Daniel Høegh dreams of one day to have his debut on the Danish senior team:

'I put a great honor in representing Denmark and has always done it when I have dressed the Danish youth-shirt. It will be an honor to play in the Danish senior shirt'.

First step towards becoming a national player, is to become a profile in the Danish Superliga, both Høegh and Bech says. The next opportunity for this is on Sunday when Odense meets Fc Midtjylland in Herning.