The Czech Republic first joined the FIVB World Grand Prix in 2013, when they finished 14th in the Intercontinental Round (before the introduction of Groups). In Group 3 for 2014, they finished the Intercontinental Round undefeated, before losing to Bulgaria in the Group final – though they still advanced to Group 2. They again made the Final Four in 2015, but fell to The Netherlands in the semifinals before beating Puerto Rico for the Group bronze. Last year the Czech Republic finished on a 2-4 record in 7th place of Group 2.As Czechoslovakia they won a string of medals including gold in 1955 at the European Championship and bronze at the FIVB World Championships in 1952 and 1960. Their only medals since the Czech/Slovakia split have been a bronze at the 1997 European Championship and a gold in the 2012 European League. The Czech Republic have competed in three World Championships – their best performance a 9th place in 1994.