1.   The top teams practice all year to prepare for the big event.

2.   Only Detroit and Philadelphia, the top teams in each conference, are better.

3.   Only the top two teams from each group advances to the next round.

4.   At the end of the four-year period the top two teams will figure in a play-off to determine the championship winner.

5.   The top two teams in each of the eight groups advances to the second round.

6.   Two more games remain in pool play, after which the top four teams in each six-team group advance to the quarterfinals.