The group winners meet in the final on May 26.

The group winners of stage 2 would meet in the final.

As opposed to today's system, only the group winner got to the final.

There are, however, three of the seven group winners from 1996 back for another campaign this year.

They were the only returning group winners from last year.

The two group winners will move on to the tournament.

All group winners had the chance to be promoted to the 2.

Only the group winner could advance to the next stage.

The four group winners from the first round entered at this stage.

But the group winner would set itself up for a high seeding next summer.