The Czech Republic has won the Davis Cup after Radek Stepanek beat Spain's Nicolas Almagro in the decisive rubber of the 100th final of the men's teams tennis competition in Prague
Stepanek, the world number 37, beat 11th-ranked Almagro in four sets in three hours and 52 minutes in a clash of the teams' number-two players on the hardcourt of Prague's O2 Arena.
The Czech Republic claimed their first Davis Cup since gaining independence following a 1993 split from Slovakia. Former Czechoslovakia won the event in 1980.
The victory has also handed the Czechs a rare team double after their women lifted the Fed Cup at the same venue two weeks ago - a feat last achieved by the United States in 1990.
The tie went to the fifth match after David Ferrer beat Tomas Berdych in straight sets in the first of the reverse singles.
The Spanish, who won the Davis Cup three times in the past five years, were missing world number four Rafael Nadal, who is recovering from a knee injury.
