The FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship officially started Saturday as host nation Poland captured its first win against Serbia in straight set fashion in front of a record crowd of 62,000 at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

For the first time in the history of the World Championships, the opening match was played at a football stadium and has recorded the highest number of volleyball fans, which was previously at 50,000 spectators in 1962 in Russia.

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The tournament hosts 24 teams from various countries divided into four Pools.

Poland went up against Serbia in the opening match of Pool A which comprises of four other countries from Argentina, Australia, Cameroon and Venezuala.

To the delight of screaming home fans, Poland swept the Serbs in straight sets 25-19, 25-18, 25-18 giving the Polish nationals a head start and placed first in the overall standings.

Team captain Michal Winiarski was the best scorer with 14 points for Poland while Srecko Lisinac top scored for Serbia with 20 points.

Poland head coach Stephane Antiga was very happy with the results.

"It wasn't easy to play in a new place with so many spectators," Antiga said. "We played perfectly, especially in service and reception."

China is ranked 18th in the league in will play in Pool C against Russia, Bulgaria, Canada, Egypt and Mexico.

China is the current Asian Cup champions and is set to play Egypt in their opening match on Monday at the Ergo Arena in Gdansk.

Other countries participating are three-time defending champions Brazil, Cuba, Germany, Tunisia, South Korea and Finland who are all grouped in Pool B.

Italy, the United States, Iran, France, Puerto Rico and Belgium will be competing against each other in Pool D.

The first round of 24 teams will be down-sized to 16 in the second round and then to six in the semi-final rounds.

The tournament is set to run up until Sept. 21.

Tagsfivb, World Championships, Michal Winiarski, Srecko Lisinac, Stephane Antiga