Despite their undeniable success in the World League, Serbia are yet to take the title. Between 2003 and 2009 they appeared in four finals and lost on each occasion. In 2003, 2005 (both times participating as Serbia and Montenegro) and 2009 their tormentors were Brazil, while in 2008 the United States beat them 3-1. Several standout players earned individual awards during this era, including Ivan Miljkovic, who remains the only player to be named the World League's MVP four times. Serbia's recent record is not so impressive and they have not progressed from the Intercontinental Round for the last four years, finishing third in Pool B behind USA and Russia in 2014.
Last summer Serbia finished level-ninth at the World Championship. Before that, they consistently won medals at other international events, including bronzes at the 2010 World Championship and 2003 World Cup, but their crowning glory came competing as Yugoslavia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Having won bronze four years earlier in Atlanta, their campaign took an early blow when they lost their opening two matches, but they bounced back to win all three remaining group games. After defeating Netherlands in the quarterfinal and Italy in the semi, they trounced Russia 3-0 in the final.