First Semi final running order:
- Iceland
- Poland
- Slovenia
- Estonia
- Spain (Big 5)
- Ukraine
- Sweden
- Portugal
- Norway
- Belgium
- Italy (Big 5)
- Azerbaijan
- San Marino
- Albania
- Netherlands
- Croatia
- Switzerland (Host)
- Cyprus
I just learned San Marino guy was in Eifel 65
Indeed he was!
I got 7/10 - I had Belgium, Cyprus and Croatia in, but instead we got Portugal, San Marino and Estonia. I suppose Estonia was expected. And as for Belgium, although I ranked them 5th in my semi-final performances, I wasn’t as heart-broken as many were that Red Sebastian’s performance didn’t qualify. I think I was over the moon that Albania and Iceland made it.
Let this be a lesson to Denmark and others for Thursday - just because you’re near the bottom of the table in the odds to qualify doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance!
Belgium did ok. I don’t love the song, but he performed it fine. I had them as my 29th before the semi final. Red overload!
You expected Cyprus and Croatia? That’s wild to me! I love how different opinions can be on this. I had both of them in my bottom 4 overall.
Croatia was just squeaking in at #10 for me. Belgium and Cyprus were 5 and 6, but as I said I wasn’t so heartbroken over them. I had my all my emotional eggs in Albania and Iceland’s baskets. (I had little doubt that Sweden and Poland were gonna make it.)
My proper list at the closing of the voting was -
- Albania
- Sweden
- Poland
- Iceland
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Ukraine
- Croatia
- Portugal
- Slovenia
- San Marino
- Azerbaijan
- Estonia
Man, the VÆB guys seem so fun. The artist interviews on the official podcast are full of artists doing impressions of VÆB. “Bro! It’s Literally Crazy!”
Bro… BRO! :D
They were the perfect way to open the show. Not the best singers, but an excellent VÆB!
I’m late to this post, sorry. Too late for predictions, but they aren’t my strong suit anyway.
Iceland - has Jedward vibes. Don’t mind them.
Poland - typical Eurovision ‘sexy girl’ pop. They are lucky not to fall over in their high heels.
Slovenia - I don’t really care for ballads, but he did good.
Estonia - His voice was a little wobbly, but the song isn’t build around a strong voice. And I like the strange stuff.
Spain - Another typical Eurovision ‘sexy girl’ pop piece. At least she added a ‘robe change’.
Ukraine - I’m not completely sold on the song. On the other hand - sung very well and they did some nice stage work.
Sweden - kinda catchy and funny.
Portugal - soft pop number. Not my taste but I’d always chose them over the next generic pop song performed by some gyrating pseudo-sexy singer.
Norway - not the music I’d expect from a northern country. Not sold on the song.
Belgium - dance, unfortunately his voice didn’t really carry the introduction.
Italy - I guess I know what he is aiming for but so far his performance didn’t ‘get’ me. Maybe he can put more energy into it in the final.
Azerbaijan - Erm. I’m simply not feeling it.
San Marino - Same as Azerbaijan. Not feeling it.
Albania - Guess they want to build something powerful out of the contrast of the two performers. Does not work that well.
Netherlands - Good mood pop. And I like him singing mostly in French.
Croatia - I don’t know what he was aiming for but at least he made me laugh.
Switzerland - Another ballad. Quite powerful and a good performance.
Cyprus - Eurodance-Pop. Also kinda generic.
The five countries I would have eliminated are also Belgium, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus. Instead of Slovenia and Croatia I would eliminate Poland (though she might do quite good in the final) and San Marino.
Mostly a hard agree on your takes.
Sweden is only KIND CATCHY!?
Right about Estonia. I haven’t heard Tommy Cash really sing so far, his voice isn’t great.
Italy is held back by confusing staging I think. His makeup and costume don’t fit the song at all?
You’re right about Italy. The outfit is some weird glamrock era rip off. The other guy on stage - what is his job? Preventing the singer from being lonely or is he meant to represent some alter ego?
This is a tough set!
I’m inclined to think Portugal, Azerbaijan, Croatia, and Cyprus and Belgium will be knocked out, though I’m only happy about Croatia!
You called it on all of them except Portugal. Honestly kinda shocked it qualified in place of Slovenia.
I like both songs a lot but it was between those two. Honestly, after the show I would take Slovenia too instead of Norway.
I like Portugal and I’m surprised it qualified ahead of a few others.
That’s where I am too. Portugal’s song is gorgeous and very Portuguese as you’d expect, but I was worried the televote wouldn’t reward it.
