What is another word for group stage?
Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈuːp stˈe͡ɪd͡ʒ] (IPA) 
The phrase "group stage" is commonly used in sports competitions to refer to the initial round of matches where teams are divided into groups and play against each other to advance to the next round. While "group stage" is the most commonly used term, there are other synonyms that can be used such as "pool stage", "round robin", "preliminary round", "group phase", and "league stage". Each of these terms implies a similar structure where teams are split into groups and compete against each other, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stages. The use of these synonyms adds variety and color to sports reporting and analysis.
