As Iraqis gear up for Sunday's Asia Cup football final, the BBC's Andy Gallacher reports from Baghdad on the hopes raised by the team's recent successes and, also, the fears of renewed attacks against fans.
During Wednesday's semi-final against South Korea, Iraqis were smiling, cheering and feeling a sense of national pride that transcended the sectarian divides that have led to so much bloodshed here.
Sitting in a cafe in the centre of Baghdad, with a family and their friends, was an uplifting experience and a rare one.
Flags were being waved, fingernails were being bitten and for a while at least the daily struggle for survival was temporarily put to one side as 11 men carried the hopes and dreams of a nation on their shoulders.
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During Wednesday's semi-final against South Korea, Iraqis were smiling, cheering and feeling a sense of national pride that transcended the sectarian divides that have led to so much bloodshed here.
Sitting in a cafe in the centre of Baghdad, with a family and their friends, was an uplifting experience and a rare one.
Flags were being waved, fingernails were being bitten and for a while at least the daily struggle for survival was temporarily put to one side as 11 men carried the hopes and dreams of a nation on their shoulders.
Discuss Add this link to... Bury
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