Milan, Oct 23: ``This is a great coup for Milan and a great source of pride for the city. Italy has been waiting 18 years for this,'' mayor Gabriele Albertini told a news conference at the city hall.The last time Italy got to a final was in 1980 when they lost in Czechoslovakia. They won their sole title in 1976 against Chile but have lost all their other five Davis Cup final appearances. This final marks the first time they will have home advantage.
Milan has not hosted a Davis Cup match since 1965. The final will take place from December 4-6 on a specially laid indoor clay court in the Forum Di Assago in Milan's southwest suburbs.
The venue has a capacity of 11,000 and demand for tickets has already exceeded 30,000, officials said.
Italy reached the final by surprising the United States 4-1 in the semifinals.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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