Strife cut cxzi mid-series after dismal performance against MIBR

In a shocking turn of events, Strife have made the decision to cut Danny "cxzi" Strzelczyk in the middle of their ESL Challenger League Season 40 series against MIBR tonight with immediate effect. The team finished the series with Austin "AAustiN" Urb as an emergency stand-in for map two, falling 2-0 to the Brazilian team.

In his place, Bobby "stamina" Eitrem told Dust2.us that Strife are set to add Matthew "D4rtyMontana" Paplawskas as the team's new fifth for the remainder of the season. The 17-year-old has previously stood in for Strife, playing Mythic Winter Cup 2 at the start of the year when Bobby "stamina" Eitrem was unavailable.

cxzi's sudden removal from Strife follows an uncharacteristically bad performance from the 21-year-old player. He ended map one, Overpass, against MIBR with five kills, 39.3 ADR, and a 0.45 HLTV rating in a 16-5 loss.

This is cxzi's worst online performance since December 2nd, 2021 when Triumph were crushed 16-0 by Bad News Bears. Prior to that, cxzi hasn't had such a poor performance since a 16-5 loss against FURIA in May 2021.

Following map one, the match was paused for an extended period before it was announced live on air that cxzi was removed from the lineup for the remainder of the series against MIBR and for the remainder of the season.

Dust2.us reached out to Strife for comment, with a representative of the Canadian organization stating:

The roster at this time will be moving on without cxzi and AAustin will be subbing in for the rest of the season.

When pressed on a reason for the sudden move, a representative for the organization stated:

Roster changes can occur at anytime and as shown, it can occur even mid series.

Dust2.us has reached out to Strife's IGL stamina, coach Christian "crisby" Schmitt, and cxzi himself for comment on his removal. This is a developing story and Dust2.us will monitor the situation as it unfolds.

Strife are now:

• Keller "SLIGHT" Nilan

• David "J0LZ" Jolin

• Bobby "stamina" Eitrem

• Paul "aris" Wilson

• Matthew "D4rtyMontana" Paplawskas (Stand-in)

• Christian "crisby" Schmitt (Coach)

• Thomas "klank" Mennemeyer (Assistant Coach/Analyst)

Unfortunately for Strife, with this sudden upheaval the team will have a difficult time making playoffs as they sit towards the bottom of Group B with a 2-3 record. Their next two matches against Gaimin Gladiators and oNe on March 22nd and 23rd, respectively, are must-wins if they want to avoid playing in relegation for a second season in a row.