"I feel the festivities play a role in uniting people despite the calamities caused by rival politicians," said 25-year-old Tikriti sportsman Saleh Saif.
"Happiness managed to re-unite Iraq from Zakho to Basra!" he said.
In fact, just about the only people whose hearts were not warmed by the victory were clerics more used to whipping up crowds of angry worshippers.
In the Shiite holy city of Karbala, Sheikh Aqil Abid Salman denounced Wednesday's exuberance as a "sinful way of expressing cheerfulness."
"Shooting in the air, dancing in the streets and stripping off are not in line with the civilization and culture of the Iraqi people," he complained.
But if Iraq wins tomorrow, the sheikh and his colleagues may have to endure another round of street parties -- and Iraqis will be all the happier for it.
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