16 players are split into four groups of four and each group will play as a team in this phase. This phase will decide which group will have more players advance to the future knockout phase. Two finalists in this phase will be branded as upper groups, while two losing groups will in the meantime branded as lower groups. This phase will be double elimination and matches will be played on King of the Hill basis.

Fixtures

1 January 2009 09:00 - 16:00 (CET) - Round 1
2 January 2009 06:00 - 16:00 (CET) - Round 2 and 3


Schedule
Upper bracket start: 10:00, Thu 1st
Upper bracket final: 07:00, Fri 2nd
Lower bracket start: 10:30, Fri 2nd
Lower bracket final: 10:30, Fri 2nd
Consolation final: 13:00, Fri 2nd


Attending teams
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D