Italy have made a terrific run to the World Cup final but it will mean nothing to coach Marcello Lippi if they fail to beat France on Sunday.

The Azzurri go into the game on the back of their dramatic extra-time triumph over Germany, when late goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro Del Piero earned the Italians a 2-0 victory.

Success in that incredible encounter sparked celebrations from Turin to Naples and beyond but Lippi has little time for those who say his team have had a great tournament even if they fail to beat the French.

"I don't want to hear phrases like, 'whatever happens, we will be satisfied with this World Cup,"' said Lippi.

"I know that having arrived so far....to not win it would make me very angry.

"Above all, we have to be aware that this opportunity may not come again in the near future."

Germany were a team in form receiving a boost by their fans, but France pose different problems.

"I think France is stronger than Germany," Lippi said.

"Germany is a squad that can become strong, they are very young but it's France that has the experience."

Indeed, many of the French players that will take the field at Berlin's Olympic Stadium already have one title under the belt after their success eight years ago in Paris.

They also celebrated a title at Euro 2000, coming from behind late in the game to beat Italy in the title match.

"Both teams have similar technical value and it will be a question of who has more hunger to win," said Lippi.

"We face a team that has already won in the past while this Azzurri generation has come close."

This Italian team had to emerge from a very difficult group, beating Ghana and the Czech Republic while holding on against nine-man USA.

"The force of a team grows from a base of belief," said Lippi.

"The fact that we have arrived here and that whatever happens it will be a party I don't like that idea," he said.

"Each win has given us an added strength and there should be nothing that would dirty our will to win."

So far Italy have only conceded one goal and that was an own-goal against the United States.

What was most impressive in their victory against Germany was Italy's decision to attack from start to finish, proving many wrong who had expected them to just sit back and defend.

The French, who have never lost a final in a major tournament, are confident, and not just the current players.

One of the country's greats, Michel Platini, is quoted in the country's press as saying Italy would not win the World Cup until 2030.

"I don't have the patience to wait until 2030," said Lippi.

"But I respect the opinions of everyone. I really don't think we will need to wait that long. In all the opportunities we have I'm certain that Italy will give it's best, starting on Sunday."

Lippi will have all his players up for selection, with the exception of central defender Alessandro Nesta, who is out of action with a muscular injury.

Marco Materazzi will take his place at the heart of defence playing alongside captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is available having served a four-match ban but whether he will return to the starting line-up is still uncertain.