I feel like there is less tension in stage 2, because you just qualify for play in either way. The only things that matters is if you get top 2 in a group unlike stage 1, where your chances were completely eliminated if you don't do good in the group stages. Also they just fucked t2 teams and can't qualify for champs unless they get in the grand finals, and their only purpose is to fuck t1 teams chances at champs





