Somehow I find it much more difficult to predict this second semi's outcome. Now that there were no major surprises in the first semifinal (well, some of you think about Finland making it and Ireland not making it but after seeing the performances was it really so surprising?). Will we have the big surprise tonight, will one of the superfavourites fail to make it? Sweden, Ukraine, Switzerland or Turkey? Or Portugal? Who's going to be Kate Ryan 2008?
ICELAND opens the show with a bang. Fridrik and Regina have been very good in all rehearsals and have strong vocals, right look in the eye and seem to enjoy the moment as real Eurovision fans they are. Perfect europop song. Eurovision perfection. Needs to be in the final. My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****
ALBANIA has a good song and sweet and young Olta as a singer. This deserves a place in the final. My votes **** Chances of qualification ****
CROATIA brings on stage three generations and a song that should appeal to the elderly as well as younger ones who like Gotan Project and stuff like that. Well staged with the added charm of 75 Cents rapping. Wonderful. My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****
MALTA gives a strong contrast after Hungary and may benefit from it. The staging is kept rather simple for a change (for Malta) and Morena has the voice and the looks. The song itself is very annoying and noisy, hysterical even. Will go either way. My votes * Chances of qualification ***
CYPRUS follows Malta in bringing a different entry, and almost as annoying one. The whole act is rather enjoyable cabaret after a few drinks (of Vodka?) but who would vote for this now that Greeks can't? My votes * Chances of qualification *
ICELAND opens the show with a bang. Fridrik and Regina have been very good in all rehearsals and have strong vocals, right look in the eye and seem to enjoy the moment as real Eurovision fans they are. Perfect europop song. Eurovision perfection. Needs to be in the final. My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****SWEDEN follows in this explosive start for the 2nd semifinal. If Iceland is perfection in a good homely way Charlotte delivers perfection in an Ice queen way. She also has the pressure of the supermegafavourite. My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****
TURKEY comes in with rock in between these pop divas and will stand out. Simple good vocally strong performance that worked for Finland, why not for Turkey that can also count on immigrant votes? My votes **** Chances of qualification *****
UKRAINE is Sweden's worst enemy. I think Ani wins with coreography and looks, has equally good voice but loses out with the song. But she can count on many Eastern votes so between these two I suspect she will do better in the end. My votes **** Chances of qualification *****
LITHUANIA is painful to hear and watch as I may have noted before. I wonder who can honestly say this is good? One can like the song but good it isn't! My votes * Chances of qualification *
ALBANIA has a good song and sweet and young Olta as a singer. This deserves a place in the final. My votes **** Chances of qualification ****SWITZERLAND is also one of the favourites but it seems Paolo has not been at his best in the rehearsals. Also the staging was rather boring and unfitting. If they pull their act together and Paolo delivers anything is possible. My votes ***** Chances of qualification ****
CZECH REPUBLIC offers long legs, miniskirts and bad singing. Visually stunning. Sound off. My votes ** Chances of qualification **
BELARUS is "nice" with a "nice" singer and "nice" performance. "Nice" never won Eurovision or scored high. He may well end up 11th everywhere. My votes *** Chances of qualification ***
LATVIA hopefully follows the lead of Estonia and Ireland (thus making way to Spain in the final) with this annoyingly bad effort. Yet, most voters may hear this for the first time and like it... My votes * Chances of qualification ***
CROATIA brings on stage three generations and a song that should appeal to the elderly as well as younger ones who like Gotan Project and stuff like that. Well staged with the added charm of 75 Cents rapping. Wonderful. My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****BULGARIA brings on stage a full show with DJs, foxy leading lady, a very flexible breakdancer and a very weird song with the longest ever intro in Eurovision. And it all just comes together in an undescrible good way! My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****
DENMARK offers easy radiopop with good vocals but is it enough? Good relaxed performance could make it stand out... maybe. My votes *** Chances of qualification ***
GEORGIA is favoured by many. I find it boring and dull on stage. My votes ** Chances of qualification ****
HUNGARY is pure elegance, perfect warm vocals and maybe a bit of Hollywood, Celine Dionesque glamour. Good simple staging. My votes **** Chances of qualification ****
MALTA gives a strong contrast after Hungary and may benefit from it. The staging is kept rather simple for a change (for Malta) and Morena has the voice and the looks. The song itself is very annoying and noisy, hysterical even. Will go either way. My votes * Chances of qualification ***CYPRUS follows Malta in bringing a different entry, and almost as annoying one. The whole act is rather enjoyable cabaret after a few drinks (of Vodka?) but who would vote for this now that Greeks can't? My votes * Chances of qualification *
FYROM isn't at its best on stage and even if the song is quite nice when you hear it you just forget it the moment it ends. Tamara sings well though. And this is Macedonia with 100% qualification so far, so... Hmm... My votes ** Chances of qualification ***
PORTUGAL is a favourite by many, including me, and no wonder. Very strong vocalist, good and easy enough melody with a bit of real Portugal but with a Slavic undertones so this should appeal both East and West. Could Portugal finally make it this year? My votes ***** Chances of qualification *****
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