 The format reverted to how the competition was organised during its founding years of 1995 to 1997.After three years as a twelve team tournament, the number of participants was reduced back to eight as it were originally, competing in two groups of four teams in a round robin format.The top two teams progressed straight to the semi-finals from which point on the championship was played as a knock-out tournament until a winner was crowned with an additional match to determine third place.