 From 1998 to 2011 , the teams were divided into four groups and played each other in a round robin format preliminary round , and the top 3 teams in each group advance into the qualifying round . The qualifying round is another round of group play with two groups of six , with the top four teams in each group advancing into the knockout playoff stage . The bottom four teams in the preliminary round played in another group as well ; this group determined relegation . After a round @-@ robin format , the bottom two teams were usually relegated to play in Division I the following year . 
