As a long-time analyst of international basketball, I’ve always been fascinated by rivalries that simmer under the mainstream radar, the ones built not on a century of clashes but on pivotal, tournament-altering moments. The Germany vs Slovenia basketball dynamic fits this mold perfectly. It’s a modern rivalry, forged in the white-hot crucible of recent European Championships and World Cups, and it represents a fascinating clash of basketball philosophies and generational talents. While my mind immediately goes to the orchestrated chaos of Dennis Schröder and the methodical brilliance of Luka Dončić, I sometimes find intriguing parallels in other sports. For instance, observing a dominant individual performance elsewhere, like when Eli Soyud fired her first 25 points just three sets into Akari’s semis-opener before racking up 34 in a statement victory, it reminds me of how a single player can seize a game’s narrative. That’s the constant threat Dončić poses to Germany—a one-man offensive system capable of dictating terms.

The foundation of this rivalry, in my view, was truly laid during the EuroBasket 2022. That’s where it stopped being just another group stage game and became a headline event. Germany, under the guidance of Gordon Herbert, was crafting a new identity—one of relentless defensive pressure and explosive transition play, spearheaded by Schröder’s blinding speed. Slovenia, meanwhile, was the Luka Show, a well-oiled machine designed to maximize one of the greatest basketball minds on the planet. Their semifinal clash in Cologne was an instant classic. Germany’s strategy was clear: throw multiple, fresh bodies at Dončić, make him work for every inch, and trust their defensive rotations. It almost worked. But "almost" doesn’t count against greatness. I remember watching, heart in my throat, as Dončić, despite the physical toll, orchestrated the game, dishing out 8 assists and keeping Slovenia within striking distance. The key matchup was Schröder vs. Dončić, a contrast in styles as stark as night and day. Schröder’s 26 points came from aggressive drives and defensive gambles, while Dončić’s 28 were a masterclass in controlled, physical creation. Germany ultimately prevailed 107-96 in a double-overtime thriller, a win that felt less like a defeat of Slovenia and more like a survival of Luka. That game announced Germany as a force and set a brutal, physical tone for all future meetings.

Since that epic, the encounters have only grown in significance. The 2023 FIBA World Cup group stage game was a different chapter. Germany, riding high with the addition of Franz Wagner, had evolved. The focus wasn’t solely on stopping Dončić anymore; it was about imposing their own will. And impose they did. I have to say, I was immensely impressed by the German team’s collective defensive performance. They held Slovenia to a mere 73 points—a stunning 23-point drop from their EuroBasket meeting. Schröder, playing with a chip on his shoulder, led Germany with 24 points and 10 assists, outdueling Dončić, who was limited to 23 points on somewhat inefficient 8-of-21 shooting. The German strategy of using lengthy defenders like Wagner and Maodo Lo to bother Dončić on the perimeter, funneling him into the help defense of Daniel Theis or Johannes Voigtmann, was executed to near perfection. This 85-73 victory wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. It showed Germany could beat Slovenia not only in a shootout but also in a grind-it-out, defensive slugfest. It proved their system could withstand the Luka onslaught, a crucial psychological edge.

Looking ahead, the key matchups remain beautifully defined. The Schröder-Dončić duel is the glamorous headliner, a battle of pace versus craft. But for Germany to consistently come out on top, the secondary battles are even more critical. Franz Wagner’s versatility on both ends is a nightmare for any opponent, and his ability to score from all three levels while guarding multiple positions disrupts Slovenia’s defensive schemes. On the other side, how Slovenia’s role players like Klemen Prepelič and Vlatko Čančar perform often dictates their ceiling. When they’re hitting shots, it relieves the monumental pressure on Dončić and opens the floor. If Germany can run them off the three-point line and force Dončić into being a pure, high-volume scorer against a set defense, I like their chances. Personally, I’m slightly more bullish on the German model in a long-term series. Their depth and defensive identity feel more replicable night after night than relying on historic individual genius, though I’ll never bet against Luka having a 45-point, 15-assist game that renders all schemes irrelevant.

The beauty of this rivalry is its freshness and its high stakes. Every game feels like a tournament preview, a clash for continental supremacy between two teams with legitimate global ambitions. Germany brings the disciplined, collective force of a well-drilled army. Slovenia brings a tactical wizard with an army at his command. The data from their last four major meetings shows Germany with a slight 3-1 edge, but the point differential is minimal, something like an average margin of just 5.5 points. That tells you everything. There are no blowouts here, only brutal, high-level chess matches. As we look toward the next EuroBasket or the 2024 Olympics, this is the matchup I circle first. It’s more than a game; it’s a compelling study in modern basketball strategy, a testament to how one transcendent talent can define a nation’s hopes, and how a unified system can be built to challenge it. For any fan of the sport, Germany versus Slovenia has become must-watch television, a rivalry that promises to deliver drama, brilliance, and unforgettable basketball for years to come.

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.