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Quiz team rises to the Challenge

Edinburgh is closing in on the 2016-17 University Challenge title, having slayed giants, attracted headlines and scraped through an early tie-break to reach the semi-final of the TV quiz.

The four-strong team defeated Wolfson College, Cambridge, in a nail-biting quarter-final, snatching victory in the closing minutes. It was a rare defeat for Wolfson’s captain, Eric Monkman, who has become a surprise Twitter sensation after his charismatic performances on the show.

Edinburgh's University Challenge team on the set

Edinburgh’s own team have enjoyed their share of media attention during their journey through the series, which began in September.

The Huffington Post and Metro ran stories on the Edinburgh team after November’s second-round match, drawing attention to their apparently 1970s-style fashions – as well as their impressive quiz prowess.  

If they reach the final on 10 April, they will face Wolfson for a second time.

The Edinburgh team are:

  • Luke Dale, studying MSc Late Antique, Islamic and Byzantine Studies
  • Euan Smith, studying MA Classics
  • Joe Boyle, studying BSc Ecological and Environmental Sciences
  • Emily Goddard, studying MChem Chemistry

University Challenge semi-final: Edinburgh v Balliol College, Oxford

3 April, 8.00pm, BBC 2 and BBC 2 Scotland