Good match. Much closer than I expected, and every credit is due to Newcastle for achieving what they have. If this trend continues, hopefully we'll see a non Oxbridge team in the finals sometime soon.
Now that we know the finalists, in the words of Michael Buffer - "Let's get rrrrready to rumblllllllee!" :D For what it is worth, I'm staying with St John's as the winner of all this. As a team, they're just superb.
I felt as though Wiberg was slightly off his usual form in this one, with several early wrong answers. I'd have to pick Merton if he's 100%. But I also adore St Johns, so I don't want anyone to lose. The final should be amazing.
lcflngn U say Wiberg was off form yet he single-handedly equalled Newcastle's 6 starters Lol Kinda like that both he and Reynard stuck their necks out a bit and tried educated guesses.
Pity one team had to lose, but there's no shame in going out in the semis and considering they're the first Newcastle team to get this far, it's an achievement.
Juliana Leal can't say I'm surprised to see them go, they were up against Merton after all. They did play very well this match though, so they went out on a high note.
* Wiberg's smile and adorable dimple at 04:19 & 07:50 sigh! * Reynard's 'Big Bone Bash' :) * What's the difference between 'church going' and 'church visiting'? 09:40 * Isn't' Britten' the default answer for every question on a British composer? :) Nielsen great on art and classical music. * Nielsen's brain freezes at 18:50 and 20:40 while funny at first, explained on Twitter as Paxman fcucked up last music question, Nielsen disoriented, wouldn't have affected the outcome though. * REM's lyrics (1987) and previously Billy Joel's (1989) great questions though a bit more current like Eminem's 'We Made You' (2009) about Lohan, Kardashian, Simpson etc. is within the lifetime of the contestants and would have been a nice change of pace from the ancient questions :) * Wow seriously bad vibes between Wiberg and Woodland! During credits Newcastle looked happier at their loss than Merton with their win?!?! * Seemed much tougher overall than the first semi. * Of the 17 answered Qs (5 weren't), Merton got 11 with Wonderful Wiberg on 6, Peplow 3 & Woodland 2, bonus conversion rate 70%, Newcastle got 6, with Nielsen on 3, Noble 2 & Reynaud 1, bcr at 78%! Pretty high for a semi. *G'day!
Vncnt D True. Another one he pulled out of thin air under pressure was 'UK 1870s' at 27:40. Would have been nice to see his reaction to that as well considering they didn't know the first 2 colonial battles and he slipped that in at the last minute. Fcuking genius!
Well, the two teams we all expected (and most of us wanted) in the final have made it there. The finale is going to be EPIC. I give the edge to St. Johns but would be thrilled if Merton can pull off a win. In order to do so, Merton are going to have to be at their quickest and sharpest. Great showing from Wiberg today, looking his best all season (in more than one way).
George Washbourn And for that, the entire BBC will find you while going for a pint with them, drag you out and beat the crap out of you. Why? Because YOU DARED TO DESECRATE OXBRIDGE! *all while in your face and my finger almost up your nostril.* On a side note, take this comment with a grain of salt. It's satire
I'm Jack Better to be Peplow, Woodland and Wiberg than just Wiberg or Woodland or whoever. Of course, three people are good. But four people are better
Not so much in this round but he has had his moments. What has made Merton formidable is that Peplow and Wiberg have been trading MVPs throughout the series, and they are always - always - ably backed up by their superb team captain.
Vncnt D Like I said in their last QF match, you've got to hand it to Merton. They know their VPs. And just as St Peter's from the age of Loveday apparently had Superman on their team, Merton this year have Brainiac on their team.
Mr Paxman actually saying 'I apologise' for fining a contestant for interrupting with a wrong answer (20:45). Just shows, he's 'gentlemanly' towards the female of the species, which is unforgivably sexist.
I was a about the wave the "MARRY ME NIELSEN" banner, but what if she freezes like that at the altar? Good match, shame on not knowing the lyrics to that REM masterpiece and for some false starts by Newcastle... Impressed with how quickly Wiberg could recognise the symbols of those US universities :O
Uncle Roger She isn't going by this exchange in their match against Fitzwilliam: Paxman: You're going to be a doctor aren't you? Neilsen (drowned out by the applause): Allegedly. And doctors don't do operations like ectomy's or tomy's.
what is much more difficult than answering even the most perplexing questions is trying to find the latest episode of University Challenge. Does anyone have a fool proof method of finding the most recent contest?
IridescentEye Of course they do. It's the law! *right up to your face with my finger right up your chin* And soon, University Challenge will be restricted to Oxbridge and London only!
I love when Merton can't come up with Lenny Bruce and Wiberg throws out Leo Bloom and Woodland's like "Yeah, I've heard that name before." Yeah, cause he's the protagonist of Ulysses. She can name multiple poets from Shropshire and has an encyclopedic knowledge of minor figures from Greek mythology but doesn't recognize the main character from what might be the most famous novel written in English? How!?
While Merton was again on fire, the ferocity with which New Castle fought back was great. I’ve felt some teams threw in the towel before it was decided. Not in this match. Thanks for the upload, Psi!
T0y Lit St Johns can't win by 222-185. And no, I'm not saying that because I'm supporting Merton. I'm actually supporting both again. No. St. John's can't win by 222 because the scoring system goes up in fives. So they may win by 225.
