Feel-Good Story: Iraqi Olympians

Target Centermass is now, with this post, hitting its century mark, 100 posts and I'm sticking with it. I've decided to devote this post to the Iraqi soccer team's surprising 4-2 win over Portugal.

"This victory will be received with happiness by my people, who have suffered through much," said Iraqi coach Adnan Hamad, whose countrymen were already taking to the streets of Baghdad, lighting up the night sky with streaks of celebratory gunfire.

The stunning victory over a team that made it to final of the recent Euro 2004 tournament brought a rare moment of joy for Iraqis plagued by violence, chaos and constant power outages.

Across their homeland, they watched the game on television at home and at cafes. Even people at a Baghdad barbershop took time out of their late-night haircuts to celebrate the goals.