The first-round groups draw took place on 1 December 2013 in Freising, Germany.[1] In the first round, the sixteen teams were allocated in four groups of four teams each. The top three teams of each group will qualify for the Second Round. The last team of each group will play in the Classification Group G first, then in the 9th – 16th place playoffs.[2]
Twelve advancing teams from the First Round are allocated in two groups of six teams each. The top four teams of each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The last two teams of each group will play in the 9th – 16th place playoffs against the teams from the Group G.[2]