Pavel Res (asker) Mar 26, 2013:

Thank you very much, Prokop. You have described it very well. My question refers especially to volleyball, which is very similar to basketball, but I know "nadstavbová část" is also used in other sports. There might be a better expression than "playoffs qualification" but I think your proposal works very well.

Prokop Vantuch Mar 24, 2013:

You're both right, guys and I see your point. That's also why I didn't rate Nathaniel2's answer with a 'disagree' and instead used this discussion to clarify my opinion.

IMO, Pavel used "prelims" to refer to the regular season (CZ: základní část) and I think he may have been misled by a term used, for example, in ice hockey world championships where in the group stage of the tournament the groups are often called "preliminary groups" (CZ: základní skupina).

Stuart Hoskins Mar 24, 2013:

Nathaniel2's suggestion was right according to the definition given (which there was no reason to doubt as it seems quite clear at first glance). Revisiting Pavel's question, it looks like "prelims" was perhaps a misleading choice of word.

Nathaniel2 Mar 24, 2013:

You're quite possibly right, I was more going by the definition the asker gave of "the long-term period of matches between the prelims and the play-offs", which seems logical would be the regular season.

Prokop Vantuch Mar 24, 2013:

Regular season I am quite sure that regular season is not what "nadstavbová část" refers to. Regular season is "základní část". E.g. in Czech basketball league all teams play twice against each other in the regular season (základní část) and after 22 games they are divided into two groups (top six and bottom six) where they fight for their position in the playoffs (top six) and for the remaining two slots in the playoffs (bottom six). And this it what "nadstavbová část" refers to. I.e. definitely not "regular season".

In US sports, e.g. in the NHL, regular season refers to the 82 games (when there's no lockout) each team plays before the playoffs. But "nadstavbová část" (often called just "nadstavba") comes between the regular season and the playoffs.