In a move that has left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads, Love 'phzy' Smidebrant has officially parted ways with 9INE after being bought out of his contract, marking an abrupt end to 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 phzy's performance simply not meet expectations? Let’s dive into the details.
Phzy’s journey with 9INE started in July 2025 when he joined the team 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 their roster in a bid to qualify for the StarLadder Budapest Major. Unfortunately, Wildcard fell short of their goal, leading them to bench their entire team 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 playing just 23 maps, phzy was removed from the international roster. His performance during this period was underwhelming, with an average 1.00 rating across tournaments like Galaxy Battle 2025 Phase 5, CCT Season 3 Europe Series 12, and DraculaN Season 4. Was this enough to justify his departure, or did other factors come into play?
And this is the part most people miss: Phzy’s removal isn’t just about his stats. It raises questions about team dynamics, player expectations, and the pressure to perform in high-stakes tournaments. With 9INE now moving forward without phzy, their 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)
What does this mean for 9INE’s future? Can they bounce back from this sudden change, or will phzy’s departure leave a lasting impact? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear your take on this surprising turn of events!
