In the world of professional Counter-Strike, it’s not unusual for players to be benched. But some cases resonate stronger—especially when it’s about a talented AWPer with LAN experience and solid consistency. Love “phzy” Smidebrant is exactly that kind of player. And now, after officially being benched by Wildcard, he has declared himself ready for a new chapter. Immediately.
A benching that came as a surprise
This obviously means that i’m open for a new adventure, preferably in EU but i’m open for anything. I just wanna play at the highest level possible and prove both my worth but also take YOUR team to the next level. Please reach out to me or phzy@suppagency.com. https://t.co/BVSjdxmIZf
— phzy (@phzycs) July 10, 2025
In early July, Wildcard announced that phzy had been moved to the bench, along with team captain Peter “stanislaw” Jarguz. The decision came in response to disappointing results in the first half of 2025—even though the team drew significant attention earlier in the season.
In his July 1 post, phzy reacted calmly, though he didn’t hide his disappointment:
It came as a bit of a surprise getting benched, obviously not what I wanted but I respect the organization’s decision. We had a very good run together, and I’m proud of what we achieved. I’m still hungry to perform and play at the highest level.
His words didn’t sound like a farewell to the scene. On the contrary—they felt like an invitation to something new.
A clear message to teams: “I’m open to anything”
On July 10, phzy publicly stated that he is open to new offers—preferably in Europe, but not exclusively. His main goal is clear: to play at the highest level and elevate whichever team picks him up.
This obviously means that I’m open for a new adventure, preferably in EU but I’m open for anything. I just wanna play at the highest level possible and prove both my worth but also take YOUR team to the next level. Please reach out to me or phzy@suppagency.com.
The tweet followed up on his earlier announcement and immediately drew attention from fans and scene members alike. Many believe phzy still has plenty to show on the Tier-1 level.
Still under contract, but ready to compete
In a follow-up comment, the player clarified that he remains under contract with Wildcard but wants to return to action as soon as possible:
I’m still contracted to @Wildcard_GG on the bench but I still want to play immediately. I live for this game and I just want to play CS.
That message felt like a direct appeal to organizations—not to wait for the next transfer window or offseason, but to act now.
Community reaction: support, humor, and belief
The community quickly rallied behind phzy. Players, fans, and analysts all chimed in:
“SOMEONE SIGN HIM!!!”, “Good luck brother”, “kom los diablos”, “Rare Atom, please” — fans flooded the replies with support, goat emojis, and team tags. Analyst Graham Pitt jokingly asked: “Why you hate NA?”, to which phzy replied: “I don’t, but hallzerk is too good” — showing respect for a fellow AWPer.
Commentator ZyppeCS2 added:
You did incredibly well in Wildcard. I expect you to find a solid team next season.
And one viral tweet from EvilWizardCS turned into a meme:
It’s scientifically proven having phzy on your team automatically gets you to the Major. Sign this man or you’re a fool.
Who is phzy and why does it matter?
Love “phzy” Smidebrant is a 23-year-old Swedish AWPer best known for his time with Ninjas in Pyjamas and Young Ninjas. In 2021–2022, he temporarily filled in for dev1ce on the main NiP roster before becoming a key figure in their academy team.
His style is defined by calm aggression, LAN composure, and adaptability across roles. His move to Wildcard in 2024 was unexpected, but successful—he helped the team qualify for a Major, which few predicted. Throughout his career, phzy has posted multiple 1.10+ rated performances on international stages.
Where could he go next?
As of now, there are no confirmed rumors about his next destination, but several possibilities emerge:
- Organizations actively rebuilding after the summer break
- Ambitious Tier-2 European teams aiming to break into the pro scene
- Scandinavian mixes or new projects like EYEBALLERS, where he could serve as a leader or hybrid player
With his maturity, fan engagement, multilingual skills, and Major experience, phzy looks like an ideal fit for any team seeking not just a sniper—but a proven competitor with grit.
In 2025, competition for spots is fiercer than ever. But it’s under pressure that stars are born. And if phzy truly lives for the game, as he says—he only needs a team that believes in him just as much.
