Spain men's national ice hockey team

Lore & Background

Spain joined the IIHF on 10 March 1923 after the Spanish Winter Sports Federation was founded that same year. Following the construction of an artificial rink in Madrid, Spain entered its first international tournament in late 1923, winning its first game against Belgium in the Challenge de Haute–Garonne tournament in Bagnères-de-Luchon, France, before losing to France. In 1924, Spain competed in the Ice Hockey European Championships in Milan, Italy; during the first game against Switzerland, two of Spain's seven players were injured, leading Switzerland to agree to play with only five players, and Switzerland won 12–0. Spain forfeited its second game against Sweden due to those injuries, despite Sweden also agreeing to play with five players. After the European Championships, Spain entered the Coupe de Davos in Davos, Switzerland, where they had upset Switzerland 4–0 days before. In the tournament, Spain lost to Switzerland 6–0 and to Germany 7–0, lost to Germany's second team 2–0, but beat Italy 4–0 to avoid last place. On 1 January 1925, Spain beat Germany's second team 3–1 in double overtime, then went on a Swiss tour winning three games. In January 1925, Spain played in the Challenge de Haute–Garonne again, defeating Belgium's second team 4–1 and tying France 3–3. In 1926, Spain competed in the European Championships in Davos, losing to Belgium 5–0 and Czechoslovakia 9–2, then tying Italy 2–2 and losing to Poland 4–1 in the consolation pool.

Reader's Guide

Spain has competed in the IIHF World Championship Division II since it began in 2001. In 2001, Spain defeated South Africa, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand but lost to South Korea, preventing a first-place finish. In 2002, Spain finished third in Group B after defeating Bulgaria, Iceland and Luxembourg and losing to Yugoslavia and Lithuania. In 2003, Spain finished third in Group A by defeating South Africa, Mexico and Australia and losing to Yugoslavia and South Korea. Spain hosted the Division II tournament in 2004 and finished fourth in Group A by defeating Israel and Luxembourg, losing to China, Croatia and Australia. In 2005, Spain finished fifth in Group B with only two points, their lone win against Iceland. In 2006, they finished fifth in Group A for the second straight year, beating South Africa for their only win. In 2007, Spain finished third with nine points, defeating Bulgaria, Turkey and Serbia and losing to Belgium and Croatia. In 2008, Spain finished third by defeating Australia, Iceland and Mexico and losing to China and New Zealand. In 2009, Spain won three games (against Mexico, Bulgaria and South Africa) and lost two (to South Korea and Belgium), finishing third with nine points. Spain was ranked 34th in the IIHF World Rankings in 2009. In 2010, Spain rose to 30th in the rankings and competed in Division II of the 2010 IIHF World Championship, finishing first in their group and earning promotion to Division I for the first time in their history. Spain has won the IIHF World Championship Division II in 2010, 2014 (B), 2018 (B), and 2023 (A).

Did You Know?

• Spain's first international win was against Belgium in the Challenge de Haute–Garonne in late 1923.
• In 1924, two of Spain's seven players were injured in a game against Switzerland, which agreed to play with only five players.
• Spain was promoted to Division I for the first time after finishing first in their group at the 2010 IIHF World Championship Division II.