Only the fact that they have to compete against Brazil, and recently Argentina, has prevented Venezuela from winning multiple South American Championships. As it is, they have had to be content with nine silver medals and 12 bronze in an event in which they have never finished outside the top four. As a mark of their consistency, Venezuela have now qualified on 11 occasions for the World Championship, although their highest finish of 10th came in their debut attempt in 1960. They will be aiming for at least the top 15 this time around, an improvement of the 19th place they managed four years ago.

Venezuela’s hopes of competing at Poland 2014 were nearly prematurely dashed by travel troubles. A problem with a flight resulted in them missing out on the 2013 South American Championship – a competition where they had finished third in 2011 – where the top two finishers qualify. The third qualifying spot from South America was determined through a playoff tournament, which the Venezuelans won.

Having finished ninth at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Venezuela have struggled in recent years. Their most recent World League appearance came in 2009, and they placed eighth at the 2011 Pan American Games and fifth at the Pan American Cup in August.