In a move that has left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads, Love 'phzy' Smidebrant has abruptly parted ways with 9INE, marking the end of his second stint with the team just weeks after it began. But here's where it gets controversial: Was this a mutual decision, or did 9INE pull the trigger to reshape their roster? Let’s dive into the details.
Phzy’s journey with 9INE started in July 2025 when he joined on loan from Wildcard. His initial run lasted until September, during which he showcased his skills as an AWPer. Wildcard, however, decided to cut the loan short, recalling phzy to bolster their lineup for the StarLadder Budapest Major. Unfortunately, Wildcard’s ambitions fell short, leading them to bench their entire roster and rebuild from scratch.
Fast forward to January 2026, and phzy found himself back with 9INE for a second chance. Yet, this reunion was short-lived. After just 23 maps, 9INE decided to part ways with the Swedish AWPer. During this brief period, phzy maintained a 1.00 rating across tournaments like Galaxy Battle 2025 Phase 5, CCT Season 3 Europe Series 12, and DraculaN Season 4. Was this performance not enough, or were there deeper issues at play?
And this is the part most people miss: Phzy’s departure raises questions about 9INE’s long-term strategy. With his exit, the team’s current lineup looks like this:
- Rasmus 'raalz' Steensborg
- Tobias 'kraghen' Kragh Jensen
- Jan 'cej0t' Dyl
- Bartosz 'bnox' Niebisz
- Danny 'BERRY' Krüger (Coach)
- Josef 'faveN' Baumann (Inactive)
While 9INE’s decision to remove phzy might seem abrupt, it’s not uncommon for teams to make bold moves to find the right chemistry. But what does this mean for phzy’s future? Will he find a new home, or is another rebuild on the horizon? What do you think—was 9INE justified in letting phzy go, or did they let go of a valuable asset too soon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
