Such was the atmosphere inside the Spodek Hall in Katowice, home to the finals of the FIVB Volleyball World Championships.

Now, I've been to many a football match in my time, albeit a fair few at the quarter-full Stadium:MK where the not-so mighty Milton Keynes Dons play their matches. I've even had the honour of gracing a fair few major sporting events, be it the London 2012 Olympic Games, the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow or the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

None of these, however, have even come close to the noise and plain old raw passion seen, and heard, by the Polish fans here at the Volleyball World Championships.

Arriving on Friday, rest day at the Championships, I was blissfully unaware of the historic importance of volleyball across Poland, or Volleyland as I've since been taught.

The nation, and most importantly the city of Katowice, known for its love of the sport, is completely and utterly volleyball mad.

As Brits like myself could not live without their football (rugby or cricket for others, admittedly), the Poles feel similarly about their volleyball.

The Polish fans showed the world a lesson in support as they cheered their team all the way to victory at the FIVB Volleyball World Championships ©Getty Images



Despite a lull in major trophies over the past two-and-a-half decades, the sport is still the life and blood of the nation.

In fact the last time the national team had placed their hands on the flagship international title - the World Championships - was precisely 40 years ago to the tournament here in 2014.

What better way to celebrate this ruby anniversary than with a sea of red and white glistening across some of the biggest sporting venues throughout the nation? How about with victory over three-time defending champions Brazil? That'd work, I guess.

Not only did the Poles accomplish the feat earlier in the week, during their opening Round III fixture, they also happened to do it on the biggest international stage the sport has to offer.

The final here this evening was, quite possibly, the most incredible and hair-raising experience of my sporting days. Usually when watching a football match (or something similar) you'd expect decent fan participation for maybe 50/60 minutes of the 90 minute match.

Here, inside the Spodek Hall, the Polish fans were on their feet; singing, dancing, stomping and roaring for well over two-and-a-half hours.

Barely a minute could pass without a new chant, clap or rhythm being beat out by the truly phenomenal crowd.

Even falling a set down to the strong favourites didn't put a dampener on the fans as they ebbed their team through every point and urged them all the way to the world crown.

Victory for Poland earned them their first World title in exactly 40 years as they were urged all the way to the crown by a sea of red and white ©Getty Images


That's obviously not taking anything away from the players who, for their part, played one of the most spectacular matches of the tournament as they crushed the ferocious Brazilian offence with an equally impressive defence.

But to see the obvious passion, bordering on derision, by the majority of fans here was simply spectacular.

I've never been to a volleyball match before to give my own personal comparison, however, I was told repeatedly that this sort of atmosphere is not normal.

Of course, volleyball is a massive global sport with nations such as Brazil, Italy and Russia also hugely passionate about the sport.

Nothing could prepare for the atmosphere here in Poland, though, as supporters went above and beyond the realm of normalcy to produce one of the most incredible sporting amphitheatres, I, and many others, have ever experienced.

Poland, Brazil and Germany pose on the podium after receiving their medals at the Volleyball World Championship at the Spodek arena in Katowice ©Getty Images

Even FIVB President Dr Ary Graça was in disbelief at the quality of the crowds when I spoke to him earlier today, telling me that their show was "a lesson to the rest of the world".

"It's a huge success these Championships all over the world," he told me. "We invest a lot of money, but the big star didn't need any money, and that's the public. They're giving their own show.

"I never saw such a thing before. I'm so proud of the public here in Poland. It's a lesson to the rest of the world. We're making videos to show other countries. Here it is spontaneous, and all the time! They don't stop shouting. I have to say to you that I am too much enthusiastic with what's happening here."

As has been said many times, and seen in practice, many times before, a crowd can make or break a match, event or even Championships. Here in Poland it has most certainly been the former and I agree with the President, the show put on by the Poles here in Katowice, and undoubtedly across the other four host cities, is quite simply a lesson for other nations, other sports and other fans right across the world.

Paul Osborne is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here.