Eliminationsfasen

Eliminationsfasen, or elimination phases, are a key component of many competitive sports and games. They follow initial rounds such as group or round‑robin stages, where participants are divided into smaller subsets. Once those preliminary matches conclude, teams or players advance to the elimination phase based on their performance rankings. In this stage, a single loss typically results in elimination from the tournament, a format known as single elimination. This method is common in knockout competitions like the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds, the NBA playoffs, or tennis Grand Slam events after the initial qualifying draws.

A variation is double elimination, in which a competitor must lose twice before being eliminated. This format is often used in esports tournaments and some amateur sporting circuits, providing a safety net for early missteps. Some competitions also incorporate a repechage system, giving teams that lost to eventual finalists a chance to compete for bronze medals, as seen in Olympic wrestling and judo.

Elimination phases heighten competitive stakes and are designed to narrow the field swiftly, ensuring that the most consistently performing participants advance. They also provide a clear, spectator-friendly narrative, culminating in a final match or series that determines the overall champion. The structure and rules of elimination phases are governed by each sport’s governing body and can vary widely to accommodate different competitive philosophies or logistical constraints.