University Challenge 2023-24: Grand Final: Imperial vs U.C.L.

Good evening again my friends, and welcome back to JOW for the last Quizzy Monday of this series! This series of University Challenge began under a cloud of uncertainty, but has turned out to be a quite brilliant series full of twists and turns, and the new chairman has settled right in. And so, we finally reached the first final of the new era, between two London teams, one hoping for a first ever win, the other a record fifth; whoever won would deserve the title.

 

Imperial defeated Balliol of Oxford, Lincoln of Oxford, Sheffield, Manchester and Trinity to reach this stage undefeated. Hoping for a record fifth UC title were:

Justin Lee, from Hong Kong and Canada, studying Chemistry

Adam Jones, from Hong Kong, studying Computer Science

Captain: Suraiya Haddad, from Manchester, studying Medicine

Sourajit Debnath, from Calcutta, studying Applied Computational Science and Engineering

 

U.C.L. beat King's of Cambridge, Hertford of Oxford, Christ Church, Trinity (as well) and Manchester (as well) to also get here unbeaten. Hoping for a first ever title were:

James Hall, from North Finchley, studying Law

Ali Izzatdust, from Portugal and Azerbaijan, studying Intellectual History

Captain: Tayana Sawh, from North London, studying Medicine

Jacob Finlay, from Cranleigh in Surrey, studying Public Administration

 

So, off we set once again then, and it was Mr Izzatdust who took the first starter of the final, and his side followed it up with a full set of bonuses. Both teams then lost five, before Imperial took their first starter of the night and also took all the bonuses. U.C.L. retook the lead with a starter and two bonuses, but Imperial responded by taking the first picture round, on maps of places associated with a Canterbury Tales pilgrim; two bonuses levelled the scores at 40-each. Imperial duly put their foot down on the buzzer as Messrs Lee and Debnath took the next three starters and, along with the bonuses, they had quickly reached three figures. U.C.L. did the right thing in going in early, but only managed to lose five twice; Imperial picked up the points both times, and their lead had suddenly reached three figures already. After the music round, on compositions by members of the Paris Conservatoire teaching faculty, Imperial led 155-30.

U.C.L. kept on going for it to try and get back into the game, but their buzzes were wide of the mark, with another five going as well, while Imperial just kept on hitting it, allowing their lead to keep racking up, especially as the bonuses usually went with the starters. Another starter to Mr Lee from a very quick buzz, a full set of bonuses, and Imperial had a 200-point lead. U.C.L. did finally get another starter, and took two bonuses with it. Imperial took the second picture round though, on paintings of fishermen; one bonus took the scores to 240-45. U.C.L. pulled back to respectability in the final minutes, two starters and all bonuses bar one pulling them out of the Sub-50 Club and within sight of three figures. Imperial weren't finished though, taking a further three starters to put the proverbial cherries on their win; the bonuses didn't fall that kindly, but it mattered not. U.C.L. deservedly reached three figures by taking the last two starters of the game and two of the bonuses of the one set there was time for. At the gong, Imperial won the game, and the series, 285-120.

 

Ms Haddad duly stepped forwards, and praised both her team and their opponents, before AR handed her the trophy. To mark the institution's record fifth title, we also had a small on location ceremony at Imperial itself, where AR and the two teams were joined by Sir Tom Stoppard, who said a few words before shaking hands with both teams.

A superb high quality game to end the series, both teams actually had a really strong night, one was just better on the buzzer. Many congratulations to Imperial, most worthy champions, and to U.C.L. as well, who did superbly in challenging circumstances. Well done both teams, a great final to end a great series!

The stats: Mr Lee was the best buzzer of the night with EIGHT(!), and of the series as a whole with a final total of 36 over six games, while Mr Izzatdust was best for U.C.L. with four, giving him a final series total of 29 also over six games. On the bonuses, Imperial managed 28 out of 45 (with one penalty) and U.C.L. 14 out of 18 (with four penalties).

So, that's it, the series is finished! As is my twelve year long series of full reviews on this blog; more on that in my series review later this week. For now, though, thanks to all involved on a fantastic first series of the new era; the future of the show seems very bright and certain indeed! I eagerly await the next already!

We also had the last of this run of Only Connect repeats, concluding with the ‘Quiz’ special from the 2018 specials. I’d have preferred the Champion of Champion of Champions special from 2012 to conclude the previous run of CoCs, but I’ve enjoyed this run overall, especially the earlier ones from the BBC3 era. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of those on BBC2 at some point.