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Overwatch – London Spitfire releases six players

Fans of the London Spitfire will have grown accustomed to the team making significant roster changes. However, not many... | 8. October 2021

Fans of the London Spitfire will have grown accustomed to the team making significant roster changes. However, not many would have expected the news that no fewer than six players have been let go this week. The cut makes it three years in succession that the Spitfire has made major adjustments ahead of the new season.

The news comes following the Spitfire’s disappointing 2021 Overwatch League campaign. While General Manager Ysabel “Noukky” Muller warned fans not to expect too much from the season, it was still a frustrating period for those associated with the organization. Daniel “Hadi” Bleinagel, Kristian “Kellex” Keller, Mikkel “Molf1g” Djernes, Dom ”Hybrid” Grove and Jeffrey “blasé” Tsang have now all become free agents.

Why the Spitfire has made further roster changes

London ultimately finished the 2021 season in 18th position, with just two teams sitting below them in the standings, the Vancouver Titans and Los Angeles Valiant. It remains to be seen as to who will replace the outgoing players.

The London Spitfire has a long-term goal of developing young European talent. However, many of their biggest talents have now moved on. The Spitfire still has its academy lineup, the Hurricanes, as well as its Overwatch League team. It is only Hybrid that will be sticking around with the team until the completion of the Contenders season, before searching for a new opportunity.

Head Coach fischer has also departed the London Spitfire

Meanwhile, William “SparkR” Andersson and Johannes “Shax” Nielsen are now the only players under contract with the Spitfire, with the duo both being under two-way contracts. However, former head coach Mads “fischer” Jehg has also departed the org, with the Dane having announced that he will “take some time to think it over”. A coaching team elsewhere in the Overwatch League seems likely, with the veteran having played for the likes of Team Envy and Cloud9 EU during his professional career.

Breaking the news via Twitter, the Spitfire posted the following message: “Farewells are never easy and we wish all of our departures nothing but the best. Blue heart It’s been a tough year, both in and out of Overwatch. To you, the fans, thank you for sticking by us through it all. We will build back stronger, you can count on it! See you in 2022! #AcesHigh”

Meanwhile, Spitfire General Manager Ysabel “Noukky” Müller shared the following message with her followers: “Everyone on the team has worked really hard this year despite the hurdles we had. Offseason and roster changes are always hard for everyone involved and decisions are often not easy. With OW2 coming out I hope we have a bright future with all of you guys. Thank you!”