Spain competed at every FIVB World League between 1995 and 2004, but 2014 was only their second participation after 2008 in the following 10 years. They failed to make the final rounds of Group 3 in all three of their latest appearances in the competition. Spain’s latest participation, in 2016, concluded with a 3-3 record, which saw them rank seventh in Group 3 and 32nd overall. Spain’s best performance in the FIVB World League has been fifth place on three occasions. They made the final round in 1999, 2002 and 2003, but failed to make it through to the semifinals.
Spain have appeared in two Olympic Games, in Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000. They have also competed three times in the FIVB World Championship – their best ranking an eighth place in 1998. Spain did not qualify to the latest edition in 2014. Spain have had more success at continental level, winning the European Championship in 2007 after edging Russia in five sets in the final in Moscow. Two years earlier they had missed a medal when they lost to Russia 3-2 in the semifinals and then fell to Serbia & Montenegro 3-0 in the bronze medal match. After a 16-year absence Spain will be returning to the final phase of an European Championship again this year in Poland.