Tennis-Media hails Spain's team spirit after Davis Cup triumph

Spain's nailbiting Davis Cup final triumph over Argentina was hailed as a team victory in adversity by local media on Monday.

"The Invincible Armada" was the front page headline on sports daily Marca while daily El Mundo said: "The Plan B was made of gold."

Much was made of the side's ability to overcome the last-minute withdrawal of world number one Rafael Nadal through injury, and captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario's motivational skills.

Sanchez Vicario had been criticised in the media for not having a 'Plan B' after Nadal ruled himself out, when he called up the debutant Marcel Granollers in his place.

He then sprung another surprise when he replaced the out-of-form team number one David Ferrer with Fernando Verdasco for the clinching match against Jose Acasuso on Sunday, which Verdasco took 6-3 6-7 4-6 6-3 6-1.

A total of seven players have been involved in their four Davis Cup ties to earn victories against Peru, Germany, the United States and Argentina.

"(Sanchez Vicario) knew how to create this team spirit among all the players. I am just one more player in the squad and he has proved that," Nadal told Spanish state television after watching the final back home.

El Mundo recalled other recent sporting triumphs where Spanish teams have overcome the loss of a key player for the final.