Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Here we go again. Every year the prediction of the qualifiers is getting more difficult, this year there's the added re-introduction of the juries in the semi-final and of course the voting pro and against Israel. Also the contest has moved a bit south-east with those comebacks and those who stayed home in west. But here goes judged by the own impressions and the few comments I have read online by those who have seen the rehearsals and not only the 30 seconds video clip and three photos. Update after show with colors: Tbh I never quite believed in Estonia but thought for some reason it might do it after all, Portugal I was hoping for a miracle that never materialized, I'm sure they came 11th :-) I put Montenegro in Maybe category but really it should have been in Most likely out as I never believed one minute it will qualify. I still don't get Lithuania and I'm surprised it did qualify, it will be curious to see if it's all juries work or did people really like it. ...

ORF and EBU have revealed the opening and interval acts for the three shows coming from Vienna 2026 Eurovision song contest and as a Finn one can only be pleased as there are (following Käärijä's two year stunt) again Finns as among the announced acts are Eurovision 2006 winners Lordi and last year's Erika Vikman performing along with other Eurovision royalty like Verka Serduchka from Ukraine, Il Volo from Italy, Go-Jo from Australia and Cesar Sampson and reigning champion JJ from Austria. Here's what we know and has been announced: First semi-final will be opened by 70 member choir performing L'amour è bleu , a song from Vienna 1967 Eurovision that Vicky Leandros sung for Luxemburg and later became a real evergreen and a classic even though it placed only 4th. After all these decades she's back to sing it again! The interval act will feature fun by Austria/Australia by the presenters Victoris Swarovski and Michael Ostrowski joined by Aussie Go-Jo . The s...

The individual rehearsals are over so it's time for the official opening of the 2026 Eurovision song contest with the traditional Turquoise carpet and the welcome party! Fashionistas should follow with keen eye to catch all 35 looks and get in the relaxed party mood before the reality hits tomorrow with the first dress rehearsal leading up to tomorro evening's second one, the one where the  Jury votes! This will be the only time when all 35 delegations appear together in Vienna. In alphabetical order, each will walk from the Burgtheater across the Turquoise Carpet toward City Hall, with Austria emerging last as the Host Country. The Woodstock Allstar Band will welcome each delegation with music that represents their country, while the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra will add a ceremonial touch. The event is set to culminate with JJ’s winning song for Austria, Wasted Love, performed with the RSO Vienna. After so many years the Turquoise Carpet was what it used to be. It run smoothl...

  First impressions and comments: Italy is straight from Italian prime time Saturday night entertainment television. Sal looks a bit excited but I'm sure he will nail it when it matters and charms the pants off half of Europe. Accusi! Germany is what it is, the most generic unoriginal song and staging that can be titled Fire. Hard to think this will go anywhere in top-10 and gain points, a possible zero points France seems to bring the French revolution on stage and they indeed don't give us bread but cakes! Looks great, sounds good. Indeed another contender for the win - if the televoters aren't already tired of opera. UK is one of my personal top favourites against all odds and I'm so curious to see how it will do in the end! Staging seems pretty much as expected.  Austria - what to say? I preferred his national final outfit. To start with. The song is what it is. Maybe it won't score a flat zero like last time in Vienna. And indeed it deserves a bit more. 

  First impressions and comments: Australia looks and sounds fantastic. Delta is such a good and seasoned performer and the staging looks stunning. Is it a winner? If not Finland let it be Australia! Ukraine ... what to day? I like the song and then I don't. For me its kinda schizofrenic somehow, like two different songs in one and one I like, the other I don't. Hard to explain. But what's that dress? and that make up?! Ukraine is Q anyways no matter what. And deserved.  Albania sound majestic and the little we have seen so far tells a story. I have a feeling this will do a lot better than expected. Or at least I hope so, That it all comes together in final and people connect with this, not only diaspora.  Alis is fantastic singer.  Malta is one of my favorites and I hope Aidan and his Versace vest will have a lot of success. Norway is a big question mark. This could go very well or ... not. Jonas is another great vocalist. For me this is this semis Estonia, proba...

Finland's Yle is once again broadcasting a lot of Eurovision related things and most remarkable we get to celebrate both Lordi's win and homecoming concert in 2006 again as well as the Eurovision song contest 2007 in Finland in Yle's channels. Is it an omen for 2026 win? Saturday May 9: Lordi's Market Square massacre aka homecoming concert (Yle tv1 15.20-16.50).  This was an Event : Helsinki city center was so crowded with over 80.000 people that they urged in tv people to stay home already hours before as they couldn't get anywhere near where they could see the stage anymore..... President Tarja Halonen was present, too. Quite a spectacle to watch if you haven't seen it yet! In Yle Areena online you can watch the before mentioned Eurovision song contests 2006 and 2007.  Sunday May 10 : Turquoise carpet live on Yle Areena (17.55-20.10) Tuesday May 12 : There's a pre-how before the semi-final (Yle tv1 21.30-22.00)  hosted by Jasmin Beloued         ...

  First impressions and comments based on these short clips: Bulgaria ... what can I say? I can't stand the song and the staging, the bit we got to see, isn't anything special either. If I can choose this is a NQ. Azerbaijan has more Azeri in it? Not sure as I haven't listened it so much even if I think it's an ok song. I get more irritated by many others than this one, I kinda enjoy it. And more Azeri the better. Most likely NQ but I'd love to see it Q over Bulgaria or Cyprus or something just to see the chaos. :-) Romania has an idea, energy and potential to do well unless the angry aggressive woman syndrome hits again. Then this could even NQ. Or do nothing in the final. Or do Top-10. Hard to say. Luxemburg is just what it is. Not one of my favorites. NQ for me but most likely this will Q anyways.  Czechia uses long, loooong notes and mirrors. But is it still a bit dull? I certainly lose my attention somewhere half way of those long lines.... He's good tho...

Rai has announced that Gabriele Corsi will be the commentator of Eurovision song contest once again and next to him this time is bubbly Elettra Lamborghini straight from Sanremo 2026 and most every talk show in Italy ever since! She's really living her best life this season.  The spokesperson for Italy will be Neapolitan actress Maria Sole Pollio in honor to Sal Da Vinci's Naples. She was also one of the hosts for Sanremo 2025 pre-show. 

  Italy - Sal Da Vinci - Per sempre si ... and here's the Italian team on stage:  Germany - Saran Engels - Fire France - Monroe - Regarde! United Kingdom - Look Mum No Computer - Eins, Zwei, Drei Austria - Cosmo - Tanzschein