York swept to a sensational victory in University Challenge tonight, beating out Imperial College London for a space in the semi-finals.
The final score of 260-135 means York will join the University of Liverpool and Peterhouse College of Cambridge in the next round, with the final team being revealed in next week’s episode.
Even host Jeremy Paxman conceded York won with a "a terrific score."
The pressure was on for the team this evening as they faced elimination from the fierce opposition team, who have shone in the competition so far.
But it would appear Imperial College had played too risky a game by placing their eggs in one basket and picking three panellists studying physics, with the other studying for a PhD in Mathematical Statistics.
York got off to a flying start scoring the first 75 points, leaving Imperial College in the dust on -15.
Imperial’s Bezer seemed visibly distressed after losing his team ten points early on, placing his head into his hands and gesturing dramatically.
Regaining their composure, Imperial College valiantly attempted to close the rapidly widening gap between the two teams, but York’s Sam Smith proved himself to be too quick-witted for the Imperial team.
Questions to York covered topics from paintings of bible translators, to cities in the former German empire, to geology.
In the final minutes of the show both teams seemed to falter under the pressure, failing to answer the last two questions.
But it was too late for Imperial – York had pulled out a lead of over 100 points. The team were confident but not cocky, and delivered a consistently stellar performance.
York Vision has reached out to members of the University Challenge team but they were unable to comment – presumably as they were busy celebrating.
York’s team had annihilated Manchester in the first round of the competition, winning 265-90; they proceeded to beat Christ’s College, Cambridge 225-120.
The quarter finals got off to a rocky start, with York losing by just 20 points to Peterhouse, Cambridge, coming in at 165-185.
Losing this meant York were fighting for survival and had to win both of their next two games, against St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and tonight against Imperial.
They delivered, beating St Catherine’s in the crucial game 180-115. Tonight’s win seals their place in the semi-finals later this year.
“York Vision has reached out to members of the University Challenge team but they were unable to comment – presumably as they were busy celebrating.”
You didn’t reach out to me… #sadface