Mar del Plata, Argentina - Both teams are hoping that the weekend Davis Cup final between host Argentina and a Spain missing Rafael Nadal will not erupt in violence or bad behavior from the partisan South American crowd.

Sparks have already flown at the indoor hard court venue when a short circuit caused a minor electrical fire as Juan Del Potro and Argentine teammate Jose Acasuso were training.

While the hitting session was stopped for a few minutes which the flames were brought under control it might take more than a few extinguishers to calm passions when the weekend tie begins with singles on Friday.

World number one Nadal is missing the weekend with right knee tendinitis and has agreed to stay at home so as to not create a distraction for his teammates due to his world number one notoriety and popularity.

One Argentine fan launched a doomed internet appeal to delay the final until Nadal was fit in order to give his nation more satisfaction in their intended victory.

David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco and Marcel Granollers make up the Spanish travelling side while the Argentine defence will be led by David Nalbandian and fast-rising Del Potro along with Acasuso and Agustin Calleri.

The emotionally charged weekend will be the third meeting between the two nations, with Spain winning both previous. The Europeans defeated Argentina 3-1 in 1926 and in 2003 Carlos Moya clinched the decisive fifth rubber for a 3-2 victory in the quarter-finals.

Nalbandian has devoted his end of season to the title quest, skipping a chance to play as alternate at last week's Masters Cup. Del Potro played in Shanghai at the year-end event, but hustled home last weekend to acclimate from the jet-lag.

The hosts are desperate to win a first Davis crown and believe that in the absence of Nadal, they have their best chance.

"I would say we can win all five points," said Argentine captain Alberto Mancini. "The boys are playing very well in practise."

Nadal told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa in Spain that he hoped the weekend would be marked by fair play and without any bad behavior among a 9,750-person sellout crowd.

"I hope this weekend can serve as an example for the rest of the world of sport," said Nadal. "Argentine players are some of my best friends in tennis - they speak my language."

Del Potro is recovering his fitness after travelling for 27 hours to finally reach Mar del Plata, with Mancini expecting him to be ready when play starts on Friday.

"I'm slowly starting to feel better," said the 20-year-old ranked ninth. "There's still three days to go and I'm quickly getting used to the court."

Argentina picked indoor hard court to thwart the huge clay skills of Nadal, a strategic decision which became moot once the Spaniard had to withdraw.

"Even without Nadal, Spain is a dangerous team. We can't completely relax," said Mancini.

Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez said his men are fine on a fast court.

"Although Argentina and Spain are traditionally clay-courters, del Potro and Nalbandian have had excellent results on hard court.

"It was better for them to stay on hard court instead of having to switch to clay, the level of tennis all round wouldn't have been the same," said Sanchez.

Nalbandian said his teammate are over the shock of the "missing" Nadal.

"It changes your mental state, but it doesn't change our focus. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter who is in front of us," he said.

The draw will be made on Thursday, the opening singles rubbers are Friday, the doubles Saturday and reverse singles Sunday. (dpa)