preliminary-round

Sweden beat fifth-place Switzerland 3-0 in the Olympics 'opening match, and Finland survived a tough preliminary-round game against China to reach the medal round.

Finland defeats Sweden 3-2 in OT for women's hockey bronze 2010

The U.S. then routed Egypt 115-60 in its preliminary-round opener Thursday.

How to Spot a Future Basketball Star 2011

Jamie Langenbrunner of the U.S. Olympic hockey team scored by tipping in a shot from Brian Rafalski during the Americans '5-3 preliminary-round win over Team Canada.

Amplifications 2010

Smit sounds like a spoilsport, but since his calculations only count preliminary-round games, the real cost could be much larger.

Brazil Kicks Back—a Little Too Much 2010

Jamie Langenbrunner of the U.S. Olympic hockey team scored by tipping in a shot from Brian Rafalski during the Americans '5-3 preliminary-round win over Team Canada.

Amplifications 2010

Jamie Langenbrunner of the U.S. Olympic hockey team scored by tipping in a shot from Brian Rafalski during the Americans '5-3 preliminary-round win over Team Canada.

Amplifications 2010

What's more, the global losses, which Smit breaks down on a country-by-country basis, refer only to the 48 preliminary-round games in the first two weeks of play.

Soccer’s Bad Influence on Brazil 2010

The Russians won all three of their preliminary-round games and move on to the qualification round.

Ovechkin scores again as Russia stays perfect 2010

MLS's best club, the Los Angeles Galaxy, was embarrassed at home by the second-tier Puerto Rico Islanders, 4-1, in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions League preliminary-round series Tuesday night.

Los Angeles Galaxy smashed by PR Islanders, 4-1 2010

Jamie Langenbrunner of the U.S. Olympic hockey team scored by tipping in a shot from Brian Rafalski during the Americans '5-3 preliminary-round win over Team Canada.

Amplifications 2010