The Spanish Davis Cup team have arrived in Argentina in preparation for the 2008 Davis Cup final. While the team is determined to win the tournament, all media attention has been on Rafael Nadal, who was forced to  miss the tournament through injury.

“Independently of whether Rafa is here or not, we’re a competitive team and we’ve come seeking victory,” Spain’s Feliciano Lopez was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “Rafa’s absence is important, but we’re going to push forward despite facing a strong rival.”

While there is no doubt that Nadal’s presence at the 2008 Davis Cup final will be missed, there is no doubt that the event will be intensely competitive, or that each match at the Islas Malvinas Stadium will be packed to capacity.

“The five points that we’re going to play are the most important in the history of national tennis,” David Nalbandian told the Canadian Press. “It’s nothing less and we can’t give away anything.”

The 2008 Davis Cup final will mark Argentina’s third attempt to win the biggest event in national team tennis, after two previous attempts ended in failure. Spain, meanwhile, have won the Davis Cup since the turn of the millennium, takin their first Davis Cup title in 2004.