team competitions, bermuda(M) and venice(W) cup, are like this:

a single group round robin (each play other once), top 8 qualify for the then knockout stage.

1-4 will play 5-8, the genius idea is here:

#1 first choose whichever 5-8 opponent to play in 1/4 final; thne #2 choose from the remained 3, so on