Pokemon's Europe International Championship

Where & how to watch

Author

Cooltrainer Ace
April 04, 2024 • Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes

Ah, spring is in the air (at least that’s what the trainers visiting Victory Road tell me before I wipe their teams like a dirty window).

Down underground, we have two seasons: extra damp and cold and kinda damp and cold. But that’s okay because it’s optimal conditions for the perfect physique and the perfect Pokémon team.

This week’s rundown (estimated read time 5 minutes):

  • How to watch the Europe International Championship (EUIC)

  • Cooltrainer Chronicles Part 5

  • Card of the Week

  • More random encounters than you can shake a Sudowoodo at

Your guide to 2024 EUIC

No, I’m not talking about some random soccer club (sorry European friends and soccer fans). The Europe International Championship is one of the biggest competitive Pokemon events of the year and it’s happening this weekend.

If you’re not a fan of the GO, TCG, or VGC competitive scene, the EUIC is still a big deal because there’s a chance we get some teasers for upcoming Pokemon Projects during the closing ceremony. At the very least, the date for the World Championship should be announced.

Where to watch:

Pokémon TCG Stream: Twitch.tv/PokemonTCG

  • Friday, April 5: 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT

  • Saturday, April 6: 1 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT

  • Sunday, April 7: Finals start at 3 a.m. PT on Twitch.tv/Pokemon

Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet Stream: Twitch.tv/Pokemon

  • Friday, April 5: 1 a.m. to 12 p.m. PT

  • Saturday, April 6: 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT

  • Sunday, April 7: Finals start at 6:30 a.m. PT

Pokémon GO Stream: Twitch.tv/PokemonGO

  • Friday, April 5: 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT

  • Saturday, April 6: 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT

  • Sunday, April 7: Finals start at 1 a.m. PT on Twitch.tv/Pokemon

Pokémon UNITE Stream: Twitch.tv/PokemonUnite

  • Friday, April 5: 1 a.m. to 11 a.m. PT

  • Saturday, April 6: 1 a.m. to 11 a.m PT: Quarterfinals to Grand Finals

The Cooltrainer Chronicles, pt. 5

My sloshing shoes and the general stench of pond scum followed me across the meadows, a reminder of my humiliating first attempt to catch a Pokemon of my own.

Now and then, I looked back at the creek to see if the Mankey had changed their minds and decided to continue the chase. Apparently, they’d humiliated me enough for one day.

I didn’t know if a Pokemon was in my future that day but blisters certainly were.

Soaking wet, discouraged, and hungry, I decided to make a loop back to Viridian City. I carried camping supplies in my backpack but I wasn’t dumb enough to spend the night in a damp sleeping bag after my impromptu pond bath. Pokemon Centers are fantastic free hotels, even if, you know, you don’t actually have any Pokemon to be treated.

Humiliated though I was, I kept one of my remaining four Poke Balls in my hand and at the ready. Given my just-pledged vow to never catch a Mankey, my options were down to Spearow, Ratatta, and Pidgey for the most part.

You sometimes got a random Sentret or Hoothoot that found its way across the mountains into Kanto, though I’d never seen one myself.

Weedle or Caterpie? Cooltrainer Ace ain’t no bug catcher.

Before long I’d made my way into the scattered woodlands to the southwest of Viridian Forest. Now and then I caught sight of Pidgeys fluttering through the treetops or Ratatta scurrying out of my way in the distance.

I needed a Pokemon, but those options didn’t entice me. All the normal-type Pokemon in the area were great compliments to new trainers. Asking them to carry a team as a starter was a different story.

I moved as quiet as a dude in squeaky wet shoes can through the woods, keeping my eyes peeled for a Pikachu. Cliche, maybe, but there was a reason so many aspiring gym challengers used them.

About an hour later, I reached the eastern fringe of the woods. Close enough to civilization I could see the sunlight glimmer off of Viridian’s taller building in the distance

To my surprise, I wasn’t too far from Indigo Academy, either. The road through the countryside to the campus was off to my left and down the hill. I could even see the bus stop and the school’s front entrance.

“Well,” I told myself, “better luck tomorrow I—” 

A series of angry caws exploded to my right. I didn’t need to see the Pokemon to identify a Spearow flock. The last thing I wanted to deal with right now.

I began a hasty retreat when a Pokemon’s piercing cry of pain cut through their squawks.

Card of the Week

This Greninja ex special illustration rare from Twilight Masquerade has burned out my retinas but I love it.

Random encounters around the internet

Obscure Pokémon Fact (from u/Mx_Toniy_4869)

Until next time,
Cooltrainer “immune to spring fever” Ace