I still get chills thinking about that scorching summer of 2017 when the Tournament of Nations completely reshaped women's soccer. As someone who's followed international soccer for over a decade, I've rarely seen a tournament where preparation met opportunity so perfectly. What many fans didn't realize was the incredible groundwork happening behind the scenes. I remember reading coach comments that stuck with me - they were aiming for about 18 practice sessions total, including those grueling two-a-day practices that really test athletes' limits. They even counted friendlies as part of that preparation count, which shows how seriously they took every minute of training before that crucial August 5th opener.

The intensity of that preparation period fascinates me even now. Think about it - eighteen sessions might not sound like much to casual observers, but when you consider they were packing double sessions into those sweltering summer days, the physical and mental toll must have been enormous. I've always believed that the real tournament happens long before the first whistle blows, and this approach proved it. The coaching staff's decision to include friendlies in that count of 18 practices showed remarkable strategic thinking - they understood that simulated game conditions provide different value than standard drills.

What struck me most was how this meticulous preparation translated directly to the pitch. When August 5th finally arrived, you could see the difference in team cohesion and decision-making under pressure. The players moved with this synchronized understanding that only comes from pushing through exhausting two-a-day sessions together. I remember watching the opening match thinking, "This isn't just talent - this is the result of calculated preparation." The way they maintained intensity throughout the tournament, especially in those final moments of close games, spoke volumes about their conditioning.

Looking back, I think that 2017 tournament set a new standard for how national teams approach these competitions. The specific number - 18 sessions including friendlies - represents this beautiful balance between sufficient preparation and avoiding burnout. As a fan, there's something special about knowing your team left absolutely nothing to chance. That summer taught me that behind every spectacular goal and dramatic save lies countless hours of planned, purposeful training. The Tournament of Nations wasn't just won on the field during those official matches - it was won during those eighteen carefully constructed practice sessions that built both fitness and chemistry.