España first represented Spain at the 2001 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, where he was 11th in the short race. He won his first medal the following year at the 2002 European Athletics Indoor Championships, taking the bronze medal over 3000 m. Outdoors, he came eleventh in the 5000 m at the 2002 European Athletics Championships.
Spain's participation in the 2001 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, his first medal win at the 2002 European Athletics Indoor Championships, and his eleventh place finish in the 5000 meters at the 2002 European Athletics Championships all relate to Spain's athletic achievements.