UCL Hall here!! :) Well, well, well, who’d have thought this would happen? I think I can speak for Ali, Tayana, and Jacob in saying that as much as we hoped we would get here, we didn’t really consider that there was a particularly major chance of it happening at the start. We were so proud of the result though - I remember when the cameras stopped rolling at the end of this match we just looked at each other and started laughing because we were so excited lol, the final was just around the corner! This match was great fun, it was nice to have a lead and maintain it after having to come back against Trinity, and there were some incredible buzzes all round (still in shock from Ali’s Assam buzz). Also, should note that after guessing a random element a few rounds ago (iridium) and getting it right, astatine was yet another random guess haha! Anyway, hope you enjoyed watching, and we’ll see you next week in the finals…

Hi everyone, Senehedheera here. Thought I’d take after Ryan and leave a comment.

What a match - Izzatdust is just astonishing!

"Make a French noise" might be my favorite thing from the whole series

UCL Finlay here again. Not much to add to the eloquent messages by Hall and Senehedheera - this semi final was such a privilege to be part in. A couple of notes on the questions. I did receive an apology from the shows question setter for the starter on iron. Having already answered a very similar starter question on iron in our previous game vs trinity I became convinced even though iron was the logical answer that it couldn’t be the same twice and hesitated and changed my answer - not an excuse I should have stuck with my gut but it was something the show producers were aware of after the fact. On a more positive hesitation in my final starter I was completely certain from September 1950 the question would be about the Korean War - I was afraid Manchester knew too and would beat us to an answer and was prepared to just say “Korean War” as my answer buzzing in halfway through. Fortunately amol got to the name of the river just before Roger Tilling started saying my name and I was able to change at the last second

Amol killing it with the hosting! Great job!

Gotta love UCL and particularly Sawh, they play hard, fast and fair. Where other teams might have slowed down with a healthy lead, they continued their no nonsense approach! 😊

Izzy Stardust really shone bright tonight. Well done to UCL. Can't wait for the final.

Lee vs Izzatdust. We all knew it was coming

Astonishing levels shown by both teams. Wow! Worthy finalists, and one of the best episodes of the series thus far. Really going to miss UC after next week!

Going to miss Manchester, they were very entertaining.

I’m gutted for Manchester but I think any team would have struggled against UCL here, especially considering just how good Izzatdust was

That J.Dilla answer from Sawh really hit home for me

A note on the final: It is probable that Ali Izzatdust and Justin Lee know each other in person, as they are current committee members of UK Quizbowl.

WHAT A NAIL-BITER, BOTH TEAMS WERE SO GOOD

I liked that UCL at the end hustled through their answers when they could have delayed a few seconds here and there to deny their opponents a chance. Well played.

There was no slowdown at all. Both teams kept up the pace and fighting spirit to the end. Amazing match!

Ali Izzatdust of UCL this match was the obvious standout-not only did he nail a question that I wouldn’t have imagined

Best match of the series in my view. Well done everyone ( including Amol).

Two super teams, a great match.