"No one expected us to win against Brazil and now everyone imagines seeing us in Berlin (for Sunday's final). Unfortunately that can have an effect on the group.

"If we lose our momentum it'll make things tricky, but I don't think that will be the case," les Bleus' most capped player with 119 appearances insisted here Monday.

"We haven't come this far to lose in the semifinals."

Thuram, 34, spearheads France's iron defence which has only leaked two goals while Portugal have conceded just one.

And given the prize at stake the Juventus player predicted a tightly contested affair in Munich.

"I think it'll be a very closely fought match with the final waiting behind it," said Thuram, whose previous experience of a major semifinal with Portugal at Euro 2000 ended with several Portuguese players being severely punished for violent behaviour after a controversial penalty award against them in extra-time.

"Portugal like us are very strong defensively, it could be harder than Brazil.

"We'll be out to do the same as in the quarterfinal, we've got to try and reduce the opposition's space."

Thuram is one of six in Raymond Domenech's side sitting on yellow cards including himself and captain Zinedine Zidane meaning a booking will rule them out of Sunday's final in the event of victory in Munich.

But Thuram urged the group walking the yellow card tightrope to put it at the back of their minds when they step out onto the pitch.

"The important thing is not who plays in the final but that France makes it so if we start to worry about getting booked then we wont play to our proper level."

Thuram, who is retiring from international football for the second time after the World Cup having already quit the national team after Euro 2004 only to answer coach Raymond Domenech's SOS to return last year, was asked if he'd been surprised at Zidane's stunning return to form against Spain and Brazil.

"Surprised? No, Zizou played like the great Zidane."

While for veterans like Thuram, Zidane, Fabien Barthez and Claude Makelele this signals their last shot at being crowned world champions for the baby of the team, Frank Ribery, it's only the beginning.

And the 23-year-old midfielder, appearing at the same press conference, spoke of his good fortune at being given the opportunity to play alongside Zidane in the master midfielder's final hours wearing the number ten shirt.

"I was a kid on the streets when Zidane and France won the World Cup eight years ago.

"It's enormous, extraordinary - everyone would like to play alongside Zidane. It's like a dream.

"I tried my hardest to get to the World Cup by playing well for Marseille and I'll always remember being here with Zidane.

"Players like Zizou, Thierry (Henry), Claude and Fabien have taught me a lot - it's not been easy for me, I'm young in my first World Cup, and I have to thank them," reflected Ribery who is another on a yellow card.

"I won't be thinking about picking up another booking," he said.

"I'll play like I did against Spain or Brazil, without asking questions."