France's reaching the World Cup final, where they will attempt to regain the trophy they won in 1998, was heralded in the country's press mirroring the euphoria of a whole nation.

The press had been very critical of Raymond Domenech's men at the start of the June 9 to July 9 finals but there was nothing but praise after their 1-0 victory over Portugal in Munich which earned them a Berlin final showdown with Italy on Sunday.

"The goal of their life," was the headline in sports daily L'Equipe who said the Blues "had once more surprised by surpassing themselves.

"This reaching of a second World Cup final, eight years after 1998, proves the excellence of a generation of players as well as the whole French football set-up.

"The entire planet now knows that France can excel at a World Cup on foreign soil. Now they only have the final left, the last match in Zinedine Zidane's career which has to be won, of course, because alost final is hugely disappointing.

"But the Blues can be proud of what they have already accomplished."

The front page of the Liberation newspaper announced: "Sunday in Berlin," adding the victory against

Portugal was more than they would ever have hoped.

"Yesterday the Blues travelled through Hell. They did not stop talking to each other, encouraging each other and got stuck in liked condemned souls.

"Their performance merited the reward of reaching the final."

Communist newspaper L'Humanite said the Blues would go on to win the World Cup, saying the Portuguese left the tournament "with regrets" but for the French "they have a sumptuous gift of a glorious farewell to offer Zidane."

Daily newspaper Le Parisien said merely: "Fabulous," and emphasised "a penalty from the maestro (Zidane) was enough to beat Portugal and set them on their way to Berlin where they will meet old rivals Italy on Sunday."

The paper said a statue of Zidane would have to be erected immediately. "It does not matter where," the paper continued. "In Marseille, where he learned his football, or in Turin, where he accomplished a lot for Juventus.

"He entered into legend last night in Munich."

France Soir reported "We're there!," saying after the Spanish, Brazilians and Portuguese, Zidane and the Blues now need to beat Italy in the final.

The paper said the powers that be were on France's side. "The gods are with us," adding, "The Italians will be tremblingin their boots."