At the 2006 European Championships in Athletics España gained a narrow win in the 5000 m, overtaking Mo Farah just metres from the line. This was his first major international title. He made his Olympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he finished 14th in the 5000 m final. In 2009 he won the 3000 m bronze at the European Indoors, a gold medal over the distance at the 2009 European Team Championships, and finished tenth in the 5000 m final at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics.