Sidney Govou insists that the siege mentality forged in France's castle World Cup base at Aerzen has helped Les Bleus qualify for the World Cup final with Italy.

France have been together since May 21 when they first gathered in the Alpine resort of Tignes and, after a few days in Clairefontaine, have been cooped up in their castle base near Aerzen since June 8.

Govou was a relative latecomer, only getting his ticket to the World Cup when Djibril Cisse broke his leg against China in a warm-up match.

However, he has regularly been used as a substitute by coach Raymond Domenech, notably against Portugal in the semi-final when he helped keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in what, for Govou, is an unaccustomed defensive midfield role.

Govou said: "Everything's very good and people are happy.

"It's just great to participate and join in the adventure. We have not spoken about Sunday's match yet as we are still recuperating.

"Maybe we will watch (Italy) on video and talk with the older players. At the moment we are recovering and are still emptying our heads (of the Portugal match) so we can then start thinking about Sunday."

Asked what was France's strength, Govou said: "The mental factor. We live together and in our heads we are together - we perform as a unit and defend as one."

Reports early in the World Cup suggested there was a split in the France camp but Govou was quick to rubbish the claims.

"It's just a lot of noise," said the Lyon player who might not have got the nod to replace Cisse had Nicolas Anelka not made some robust comments about coach Domenech after being omitted from the original 23-man party.

"I always knew it was false - things always happen but we are a group and we keep things to ourselves.

"People always try and judge us and extrapolate things from what we say - but it's the press who says these things.

"The only thing that matters is that we are playing in the World Cup final again and that it is essential for us to win it."