The French media were a constant thorn in the 57-year-old's side throughout France's drab opening draws against Switzerland and South Korea -- and the fans were hardly any less severe.

Wolf whistles rang round the Cologne stadium when his name was announced over the public address system before the Bleus' win over Togo.

If his hair hadn't already turned grey it surely would have done by now such was the barrage of criticism.

So it can only be guessed at how sweet Tuesday's 3-1 success must have tasted, yet Domenech refused to play the revenge card when appearing at a press conference here Wednesday.

"For me the sole objective is to get the best out of this team. I don't take any self-satisfaction out of this result and I repeat again, our aim remains July 9 (the day of the final)."

He said he found it hard to put into words his feelings after Frank Ribery, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane ended Spain's World Cup campaign and earned France a quarterfinal date with Brazil.

"Sometimes there are moments when you can't describe the emotion. I'll never forget what happened last night. We can't forget it but now what counts is the next match (against Brazil on Saturday)."

He described Hanover as the highlight of his career since assuming command of the French team after Euro 2004.

"To qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals it's almost at the summit. We've still got a couple of steps to go but it's getting closer.

"That heightens the emotion and the feeling of happiness when we succeed."

Aside from the relief of booking their place in the last eight he said it was also the manner in which it was achieved that felt so good.

"For me it was a properly constructed game. We had a game plan that we never let go of. The most important thing was that the team as a whole kept to this common idea.

"This was to try to destabilise the Spanish and get them to play long."

The Spanish press had gone to town in the run up to the game, making a big play of the fact that Spain were going to send Zidane into retirement.

Domenech reckoned that those tactics had only increased Zidane and his teammates' motivation.

"I suppose pride is essential to a footballer. Touch that and you've committed a strategic fault.

"We always use everything to motivate the players, but when our rivals hand you the means to do it all the better."

He dismissed the notion that it would be an advantage as against Spain to be perceived as underdogs when they step out onto the pitch against Brazil.

"I don't believe the Brazilians are too worried about that sort of thing. It's 40 years now since they are favourites, it doesn't pose them any problems, and for us it's 90 years since we've been the outsiders!"