Kvalomgångar

Kvalomgångar are rounds in a sports competition designed to determine which teams advance to the next phase, enter a higher division, or participate in a cup or international event. They are common in football, ice hockey, basketball and other sports, especially when the field is large or when promotion and relegation are part of the system. Kvalomgångar serve to filter teams from lower divisions or early rounds into the main tournament or the top league.

Formats used in kvalomgångar vary. They can be two-legged ties with home and away matches, single-elimination matches, or group-stage qualifiers where teams play round-robin within groups and the top finishers advance. In two-legged ties, the aggregate score decides the winner, with possible tiebreakers such as away goals, extra time, or penalties. In group formats, advancement is based on point totals and sometimes head-to-head results.

Kvalomgångar help manage the size and competitiveness of a competition. They allow lower-tier teams the opportunity to reach higher levels or the main event, while keeping travel costs and scheduling practical. Seeding is often used to ensure stronger teams enter in later rounds, though some systems keep all teams in the same draw to preserve opportunities for upsets.

Examples of kvalomgångar include national league promotion or relegation play-offs, cup qualification rounds before the main tournament, and preliminary rounds for international club competitions. The exact structure varies by sport, country, and competition rules.