Four groups of four teams competed in a round robin to begin the tournament. The top two teams from groups A and B qualified for the quarterfinals, the second round of the tournament stage. The first round of the tournament, called the crossover playoff, included the bottom two teams from groups A and B and top two teams from groups C and D. The bottom two teams from groups C and D competed in an best-of-three relegation series.[5][6][7]
One week before the start of the tournament, Group C games were moved from a stadium in Senago to the Stadio Marco Provini[it] in Novara due to poor conditions at the Senago field. The Italian team's federation agreed to pay for additional transportation costs from Milan.[8][9]
Fan entrance to games in Rotterdam on 20 September were affected by pro-Palestinian protests regarding the Gaza war and Israel's participation in the tournament.[10][11][12] Protesters returned for subsequent Israel games.[13] Rain also delayed some of the 20 September games in Rotterdam.[14]
Two of the three host countries, the Netherlands and Italy, went undefeated in group play while Belgium managed one win and was eliminated from the final round.[7][15]
The relegation round is a best-of-three series, and the loser will be relegated. The result of the Group stage game is the result of game 1 in the series.
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