SOFIA, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- In the first match of the 19th edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Bulgaria, which was played in Varna on Sunday evening, the hosts beat Finland 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-22).

The championship, which will take place in both Italy and Bulgaria from Sept. 9-30, is the very first time that a volleyball World Championship is jointly hosted by two countries.

A total of 24 teams, including China, participate in the tournament. In the first round, they will be spread across four pools in Bulgarian cities Varna and Ruse, and Italy's Florence and Bari.

China will play against Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France and the Netherlands in the pool B in Ruse. The top four teams will advance to the second round featuring four pools of four teams playing in four cities. Enditem