It’s back to where it all started. Athens, home of the Olympic Games. Legend has it that countries stopped battle to engage in these fiercely competitive games of ability. What started of as a small tournament has evolved to become the largest assembly of nations to join as one in the name of sport.

Iraq is still healing from the scars and bruises of a 30 year beating, yet they still boast a talented group of people that can still compete athletically. Through out the years our great country has seen the likes of weight lifters, wrestlers, boxers and football teams taking part in the Olympic Games. Though no great results have been achieved Iraq has managed to be a respectable force amongst Asian and Arab nations. One sport in particular stands amongst them all, Football.

16 Years after Ahmed Radhi, Kareem Alawi and Adnan Dirjal, Iraq has once again prepared itself to take on the giants of Asia for a spot at the competition. Only three football teams from Asia get to parade around a pitch aimlessly with silly smiles painted on their faces. But nevertheless Iraq seems keen to make a showing with a young team dubbed to be the next world class side.

This lineup has been Iraq’s last breath of success in recent years; they were crowned Asian youth champions in 2001 after a great domination of the tournament. Iraq went undefeated all through out. Big stakes were to come up for the team as they booked a berth to the World Youth Cup. A respectable performance of 1 win and 2 losses was Iraq’s fate, though more was to come as Iraq’s national team was reshuffling their ranks. 8 players from the Olympic squad were called to the national lineup for the West Asian cup.

The heartbreaking loss to the Syrians in the last West Asian cup was on every Iraqis mind. This was their chance to redeem themselves. It took less than a few matches for the contenders to see Iraq was the team to beat. The mixture of youth and veterans provided a mesh of speed and experience. Iraq cruised through all rounds to the final match. This time they were squaring against a team well known to every Iraqi. The team we can not, should not, and must not lose to, Jordan. The legendry game that took place in Amman stadium was a strong reminder that none of the Iraqis could forget. After going two nil down in an awful first half, Iraq equalized in stoppage time to take the game to overtime. Haider Mahmood's header sealed Iraq’s success at clinching the tournament.

Could it be this youth team has a knack for winning? Could it be that Iraq’s glory days are back? Well, in preparation for the Olympic qualifiers the youth team was invited for a friendly tournament in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Their performance was stunning with victories over teams like AL Nasr football club by a margin of 4 goals. Once again, they proved that their style and talent was impeccable. After solid final round performances, Iraq took a bite into Saudi pockets and took the championship home.

Currently, the Iraqi Olympic team stand first at the end of the first stage of qualifying, in a group with Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia (traditional source for end of Iraqi Olympic dream). Athens is only a step away.

Despite all the carnage, instability and mayhem, Iraq have marched one step closer to a third appearance at the all important World games. But is this the year? I don’t know about you, but excitement is more than in the air for me, I think I am choking.