MADRID, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Spain aims to retain tennis' Davis Cup for the first time since the 1990s when it plays the Czech Republic in the final in Barcelona over three days between December 4 to 6.

    No country has successfully been able to defend the trophy since Sweden won in 1997 and 1998, but the Spanish have a magnificent chance of repeating that feat.

    Spain has already won Davis Cup three times during this decade and the final will be played in Barcelona's Palau San Jordi, where the Spanish won the trophy for the first time in 2000.

    Last year saw Spain win in Argentina without star player Rafael Nadal, but Nadal, who has suffered physical problems this year, will lead the Spanish challenge.

    He will play singles along with David Ferrer, who is unbeaten in the Davis Cup this year.

    Fernando Verdasco is Spain's main doubt. The former World number 7 has been struggling since last month's London Masters Series event with foot and knee and muscle problems in his right leg and is working hard to reach fitness in time.

    Verdasco was a candidate to play singles, but will now partner Feliciano Lopez in Saturday's doubles if he recovers in time. If not Juan Carlos Ferrero will be called into the team as cover.

    The challenge of the Czech Republic rests on the shoulders of Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdich, who beat Nadal in the 2006 quarterfinals, which were played in Madrid.

    The pair will play both the singles rubbers and also form the Czech doubles team.

    As usual in Spain, the match will be played on beaten clay, which is the favorite surface of all of the Spanish players.

    That and the backing of a partisan crowd make the Spanish favorites to retain the title.