ELF: Homegrown Hero Series – Theo Landström Sweden’s ELF Game Changer

| American Football | 07/24/2023

The mid-season point of the European League of Football has arrived and the ELF’s third season has shown the promising development of many domestic players. With that in mind, the ELF Homegrown Hero Series aims to shine a light on those players outside of the US and Canada making an impact on the league.

One of the brightest European stars of the European League of Football has been 6’4 Swedish receiver Theo Landström of the Barcelona Dragons. Landström has been making waves in his first ELF season putting up 67 catches for 589 yards and seven touchdowns, good for top 10 in the league in yardage.

While the 24-year old stats have been dependable, Landström has generated several flashy highlight catches throughout the season, highlighted by a standout week two that featured ten catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

It might be his first year in the ELF, however Swedish national team standout has already spent several years playing abroad suiting up for the Telfs Patriots in Austrian Football League in 2022, after playing college football in the United States for several seasons.

The Göteborg, Sweden native spent the 2021 season with the Carlstad Crusaders, helping the team reach the Swedish Superserien semifinals. In the shortened, three-game regular season, Landström caught 15 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown, leading the Crusaders and ranking third in the league. He also started for Team Sweden in the European Championship final.

Landström spent the 2019 season playing for Clarion University of Pennsylvania (NCAA Div. II), primarily on special teams. He is a graduate of the RIG Football Academy in Sweden and played for Team Sweden in the 2018 IFAF U19 World Championships held in Mexico where Sweden finished fourth.

Theo Landström sat down with us for a quick Q&A on his football journey and his thoughts on the 2023 season. 

AFI: How did you start playing football?

Landström: My dad took me to my first practice when I was ten. He stopped playing himself right before I was born, so he was the one introducing me to the sport.

AFI: What is your goal through the sport?

Landström: I don’t really have any set goals. I want to keep progressing and getting better at my craft, and to what league or level that will take me only time can tell.

AFI: How does it feel to be representing Sweden in the ELF?

Landström: It’s a good feeling being able to represent my country. We got a lot of undiscovered talent in Sweden, and hopefully more Swedish players will be able to showcase their talents in the ELF in the future.

AFI: What’s your favorite football memory so far?

Landström: I don’t really have any specific once that comes to mind. I would say every time I step on the field.

AFI: What’s the future of football in Sweden?

Landström: Hopefully bright. We got a lot of talented and committed coaches and players. Hopefully the sport keeps on growing in the right direction. It feels like it has been getting more and more recognition lately and hopefully that trend continues.

AFI: What’s it like for you playing and living in Barcelona? 

Landström: It’s great. They do a fantastic job of taking care of me, everything is professional and and well organised. The fans and supporters are probably some of the most loyal I’ve ever been around, and they always bring a great atmosphere to the games. The beach and wether is obviously a huge bonus as well.

AFI: What’s the goal of the Dragons this season?

Landström: Putting a good product on the field as well as giving the fan the best show possible on game days. The main goal is of course playoffs and championship.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and