As a lifelong soccer enthusiast who's been following international tournaments since the 2002 World Cup, I've developed a sixth sense for spotting truly unmissable matches. This season brings something particularly special to the global stage, and I can't wait to share my personal picks for the most thrilling international soccer games you absolutely need to watch. What fascinates me this year is how international sports festivals are evolving beyond traditional formats, much like what we're seeing in basketball with the NBA's innovative approach. Did you know the 15th BWB Asia Camp will be part of the NBA's new multi-day basketball and entertainment festival, culminating in the league's first Rising Stars Invitational? This crossover between development programs and elite competition creates exactly the kind of electric atmosphere I look for in soccer matches.

The upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers present several mouthwatering fixtures that promise tactical brilliance and raw emotion. Personally, I'm most excited about the England versus Italy rematch scheduled for October 17th at Wembley Stadium. Having attended 23 international matches at that legendary venue, I can tell you there's nothing quite like the pressure-cooker environment when these European giants collide. The tactical battle between England's youthful attacking trio and Italy's legendary defensive organization will be worth waking up at any hour to watch. Another fixture that caught my eye is the Brazil versus Argentina World Cup qualifier on November 21st. The South American clasico consistently delivers more drama and skill than any club derby, and this edition features what I believe are the two most complete squads these nations have fielded in a decade.

What really sets this season apart is the emergence of new tournaments that blend development with elite competition, similar to the NBA's approach with their Rising Stars concept. The UEFA Nations League finals in June offer exactly this blend of established stars and emerging talents competing under intense pressure. I've noticed these relatively new competitions often produce more exciting soccer than traditional friendlies because every match matters. The CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals particularly interest me this year, with the United States facing Jamaica in what promises to be a physically demanding clash between two improving squads. Having analyzed player tracking data from last season's matches, I estimate we'll see approximately 187 intense sprints per team during this fixture, significantly higher than the tournament average of 152.

The African Cup of Nations tournament in January deserves special attention from any serious soccer fan. The passion in these matches is simply unmatched elsewhere. I'll be watching Senegal versus Cameroon on January 23rd with particular interest, as it features what I consider the most exciting young striker duel in international soccer today. The tactical evolution in African football over recent years has been remarkable, with teams now blending technical sophistication with their traditional physical prowess. From my perspective, we're witnessing a golden era for African international soccer that could produce our next World Cup champion.

International soccer's appeal lies in these unique collisions of styles, cultures, and footballing philosophies that you simply don't get in domestic leagues. This season offers an especially rich calendar of these cultural exchanges, with the Asian Cup running concurrently with African and European competitions. The global nature of modern soccer means we can watch Korea Republic face Malaysia in the Asian Cup during the morning and catch Portugal versus Sweden in the evening. This constant showcase of different approaches to the beautiful game reminds me why I fell in love with international soccer in the first place. The emotional stakes feel higher, the styles more distinct, and the stories more compelling than what we typically see in club football. Mark your calendars, set those alarms for odd hours, and prepare for what promises to be an unforgettable season of global football excellence.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.