Eliminationsrunde

The Eliminationsrunde, commonly referred to as the "knockout stage" or "final phase," is a format used in various competitive sports and tournaments, particularly in team sports like handball, volleyball, and water polo. This structure follows a preliminary group stage and determines the final standings through a series of single-elimination matches. In single-elimination tournaments, each loss results in immediate elimination from the competition, with the remaining teams advancing until a champion is crowned.

In handball, the Eliminationsrunde typically begins after the group stage, where teams are seeded based on their performance. The top teams from each group face off against those from other groups in a bracket system. Matches are played in a best-of-three or best-of-five format, depending on the tournament rules, ensuring that the stronger team prevails. This phase emphasizes intensity and high-stakes gameplay, as teams fight for a spot in the semifinals, finals, and ultimately, the championship.

The Eliminationsrunde is designed to create dramatic and decisive outcomes, contrasting with the group stage’s more strategic and less high-pressure environment. It tests teams' resilience, tactical adaptability, and ability to perform under pressure. The structure is widely adopted due to its efficiency in narrowing down competitors and its ability to generate thrilling, unpredictable results.

This format is also used in other sports, such as volleyball and water polo, where it ensures a clear path to victory while maintaining competitive balance. The Eliminationsrunde remains a cornerstone of many major tournaments, including the European Handball Championship and the World Handball Championship.