Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Sweden - Eric Saade - Popular **** Swedes know how to do a great show for sure. Eric is a great performer and has Carola-like will to succeed that comes across and will make people vote for him as they're going to be afraid not to. But what is left of this puzzle kind of song (a bit of this , a bit of this ....) when Eric needs to sing live for real? Drop the extra dancers? Do they have to change the backing dancers to ones who can also sing (like Malena)? Time will tell. Not as big a pre-contest favourite by fans as expected but hey, maybe that's a good sign!? Qualifier: Yes. Ok folks. This concludes the 2011 songs. I am most propably wrong with everything. After predicting great things to Sweden last year I'm not feeling to most confident predictor this year (even if I got it right in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2003, almost in 2006, 2005, 2004 and was totally lost in 2002, 2001, 2000.... Maybe these early years of a decade don't work for me?) So, re-reading what I have pr...

The new mix of the Israeli entry Ding dong has been released. As expected Dana International has turned the beat up and there are some new effects. I did also like the understated simplier original demo version .... Now let's see if they skip the lovely ladies, too and add some useless dancers?

Bulgaria - Poli Genova - Na inat **** I'm not crazu for this song but I must admit it has been one of the most played ones in my head. The chorus just kicks in when you least expect it. Is that a sign of a hidden catchiness? Will the televoters go for this? She's got the look and Pink-esque stage presense and I love the piano playing here and there. We might be in for a Bulgarian surprise? Qualifier: Yes. Austria - Nadine Beiler - The secret is love **** Ok, it's Disney but I don't think it's sugary. It's beautiful. She sings it nicely and when the gospel choir kicks in at 2 minutes I'm in love. Not a fan favourite I know but I like it. And this might just have a wider audience than we think now and make Austria reach the final since forever. But she needs a new look and haircut. Badly. Qualifier: I think so.  Armenia - Emmy - Boom boom * Such a shame they chose this crap when they had something good in the selection as well. This is boring and annoying bu...

Lithuania - Evelina Sašenko - C'est ma vie * For me this is a total yawn. Nothing wrong with it I guess. Just a song heard about a zillion times, sung by a voice heard a million times with corny lyrics with some French thrown in. And Céline Dion or Lara Fabian she is not. No merci! Qualifier: No way.   Israel - Dana International - Ding dong ***** Ok, I admit. This song's nothing special really, nor is she a good singer. But it works as a harmless pop song. It has quiet melancholy in it Dana potreys very well. It is catchy. A bit annoying, too, which is good in a competition like this. Yet I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't even make the final as the news she's a trans have worn out about 12 years ago. And those who are too young to remember 1998 just don't care anymore. Some have criticized the backing ladies, I think they are fabulous in their choreography - why should they all move in unison? Qualifier: I hope so.  Denmark - A friend in London - New tom...

YLE2 will have three preview shows this year starting from April 7 (from Poland to Iceland), April 14 (from Hungary to Bulgaria) and finally April 21 (from FYR Macedonia to Spain). Each show lasts 50 minutes and Tarja Närhi and Asko Murtomäki will be the hosts. FST5 or the Swedish speaking TV will have its own ones on April 29 and 30.

Bosnia-Herzegovina - Dino Merlin - Love in rewind ***** When I heard this for the first time I thought this is it, a possible winner. But Bosnia hasn't managed to win yet even if they have had some great songs. Could it be this time they have got it right: not too weird, not too ethnic but the right ingredients to be liked by everybody even if not the one that takes a lot of 12s but many 10s and 8s, enough to take it home in the end? Dino is a charismatic performer and there's enough of sing-a-long and a touch of weirdness to make this memorable. And he is wellknown in the Balcans to secure votes from all the neighbours - and don't talk about voting blocks this time when it is well deserved (just like Serbia 2007). It could just be so in the end. Qualifier: Sure . Russia - Alexej Vorobjov - Get you ** Such a let down from Russia. This is propably the worst Russian entry since... well, last year excluding, 1995. The song's like a Melodifestivalen reject and Alexej is n...

The Italian  return entry to the Eurovision song contest, Raphael Gualazzi's Madness of love / Follia d'amore is also featured in the new movie by Giovanni Veronesi. Manuale d'amore 3/Manual of love 3 is the last film of a trilogy dealing with Italian way of love starring Rober De Niro and Monica Bellucci. Watch the trailer here .

No more Vanilija for Slovenia as Maja Keuc will sing in English in Germany. The song is now titled No one . But how came they can change it this late? Didn't they have to present the version to be performed in the EBU meeting earlier this month like everybody else? But who cares? This version is much more understandable and easier to catch on - and this said by someone who stands for national language entries!

Latvia - Musiqq - Angel in disguise **** This is one of my favourites. I like the melody, the guitar, his voice. It's uplifting, groovy pop song, easy to sing along but... yet it never really takes the flight. A quality entry that will most likely pass unnoticed. I hope I am wrong. I'm not usually a fan of the Latvian entries but for once they have something I like and I'm afraid they will bomb! Let's see. Qualifier: Unlikely . Portugal - Homens da luta - A luta é alegria * I have tried to find a reason to like this, any reason. And I have found none. The melody isn't anything interesting, the lyrics, the artists, totally annoying in a bad way. Totally uninteresting. The only positive thing I can think about it the Portuguese language I love. Otherwise the biggest disappointment this year. But every year we must have a stupid entry and let Portugal have it for once. Usually they are so serious.... Qualifier: I hope not. Estonia - Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Stree...

Eurovision 2008 winner Dima Bilan is still going strong in ex-Sovjet countries even if his career in English didn't quite take off (and where's the promised Spanish album?). His latest single Ya prosto lyublyu tebya (Я просто люблю теб or I just love you ) is hot in the charts at least in mother Russia and Ukraine. There's also and oldfashioned a dance remix . And a live Youtube as well....

France - Amaury Vassili - Sognu **** France keeps trying different styles and it is always good and refreshing, even if a strong French pop would be nice for a change, too. Especially as this entry is more Italian than French. More Italian than the Italian entry in fact, even sung in Corsican that most everyone will mistake as Italian anyways. This is when writing this leading the betting odds and I'd like to ask: What makes this so much better than Norway last year? Opera voiced pretty boy singing boombastic song? I wouldn't be surprised if this fails come mid-May but I hope not. Winner it is not, unless the few uptempo favourites eliminate each other which I doubt. Midtable.  Serbia - Nina - Caroban *** I should love this as I'm a big fan of 60's Motown girlbands but maybe that's where the problem is - it's fake 60's sound. Nina sings nicely, it is great they kept the original version instead of the English version and the song is kinda groovy. But som...

It has been quiet in Patricia Kaas front since her Eurovision 2009 in Moscow with  Et s'il fallait le faire and the tour that continued after that. But now her next plans are out: a new album, a new spectacle and new world tour for 2012-2013! Kaas chante Piaf or she will finally take on Edith Piaf and sing her songs and play the part so often suggested to her, the only real heir of that musical legend Piaf is. 2013 marks also the 50th anniversary of Piaf's death and La Kaas will end her 45 countries world tour in L'Olympia in Paris in February 26-March 2, 2013. The album and tour will include Piaf classics like Mon légionnaire, L'accordéoniste , Les trois cloches , La vie en rose , La foule , Milord, Je ne regrette rien and Hymne à l'amour. But before the album will be presented in NRJ Music Awards in Midem in Cannes later this spring she will release her autobiography called L'ombre de ma voix , and she also stars in Marc Ruscart's movie Noir désert .

Belgium - Witloof Bay - With love baby * One star I hear you asking? Well, yes. I know they are good. The song isn't bad. But for me this is a toilet break song. And if their styling on stage follows the video styling I won't hurry back and will go and check the fridge as well. Qualifier: I hope not . San Marino - Senit - Stand by **** Senit is fantastic. The song could have been a bit powerful but it has a quiet quality that may not open to TV viewers until it's too late. I hope they would have a stronger backing than just one lovely Sammarinese girl - or is she just one of the choir? This is old-fashioned Eurovision as its best and almost alone in its genre this year. I hope it will be warded. Qualifier: I hope so! Slovenia - Maja Keuc - No one *** I remember I was kinda blown away while watching the Slovenian final with this song and her performance. But now I don't get it. And why's the preview video in Slovenian if she's going to sing it in English ? O...

Paradise Oskar will release his debut album on May 4, 2011 in Dusseldorf. "Well, I happen to be in Germany that period and it would be a bit difficult to fly to Finland and have the release party here " he says laughing in an interview with YLE's Eurovision expert Sanna Kojo.   "I'm aiming for the international market. My music is international ". He also tells his life has been very hectic since he won the Finnish final and is really living in the moment, carpe diem. "I concentrate in what I am doing this very moment. I really don't have time to think what I just did or what I will be doing in a moment. There's no time for that! "  Since he signed to Warner Music Finland he has been mostly in studio. "It has been very busy and we don't have much time but it only makes us work harder. Everybody's giving their most. All the songs are ready but recording takes time obviously. We need to get this album ready before Eurovision and ...

Croatia - Daria Kinzer - Celebrate **** This one went from Lahor by Jacques Houdek to Daria to Break a leg and finally Celebrate . I think I liked a bit more the original softer Lahor/Break a leg version. I didn't go crazy for this one at first but it has grown to be one of my favourites, a good mood old fashioned Eurovision entry. But as I have said before it's will battle it out with Hungary and may lose. Qualifier: With a lot of luck. Albania - Aurela Gaçe - Feel the passion ** Albania often reworks its songs so much you hardly recognise them anymore after the work out but this time Feel the passion and Kenga ime sound pretty much the same only underlining the fact the English version has lost the feeling of the song. To me it sounds pretty boring now and the stars went down. Aurela though will propably give all on stage and judging the preview video will look stunning. Will it be enough to bring it to the final? Maybe not. Qualifier: Will struggle .  Belarus - Anas...

Eurovision 2005 winner Elena Paparizou has come to the point in her career she's releasing a greatest hits album, also in 3-cd box in the end of March. She released her debut solo album Profereotita back in 2004. It was re-released in 2005 including her Eurovision tracks and later re-released in third version including also Mambo remixes. 2005 she released My number one album for the European market. Iparhi logos album followed in 2006, as well as The game of love , another compilation for the international market with English versions of her Greek hits amongst others. It was  re-released as a 3-cd special edition in 2007. Her next fully Greek album Vrisko to logo na zo was released in 2008 and moved from europop to darker rockier sound. Her fourth new album was released last year, titled Giro apo t'oneiro . Her discography is a bit confusing indeed with all re-releases and various versions so maybe a greatest hits will make it straight. Here are some of her hits: Tha ...

Carola Standertskjöld would have been 70 today had she not died in Alzhaimer's in 1997. She was popular in the 1960's thanks to her unique voice and looks, and her repertoire from pop to jazz  chanson and blues singing in Finnish, Swedish, English, French, Spanish, German, Jiddish, Russian, Italian and Portuguese. Something about her talent tells that she might be more respected and loved today than back then.  For the anniversary a new compilation (2CD) and a box (8CD+book) titled Rakkauden jälkeen - kaikki levytykset 1963-1988 are released. And the box is indeed a very interesting one as it includes a lot of rarities and for the first time recordings in all languages together. Her classic covers of Aprés toi and Un banc, un'ambre, une rue are there, but so is also a French version of the latter! Her Euroviisut entries Ge mig en krabb / Tahdon pojan (1965) and Meren laulu (1966). Her duet with Aarno Raninen in 1971 was unfortunately never recorded, it seems. Other ori...

Germany - Lena - Taken by a stranger *** This is risky business for Germany and Lena as she sings. First of all the song may result very strange and without any memorable hook for the first time listeners, and secondly how many televoters will think "she won last year, let someone else win now"? For me this song is like a piece of soap. Every time I think I get it it slips away again. I kinda like it when I hear it but forget it the second the song ends. Not a good sign. Cyprus - Christos Mylordos - San angelos s'agapisa *** I like this very much until the lady starts screaming and the beat goes thundering. But maybe there's a reason for that. Great that they sing in Greek and the song has a feel of identity and Cyprus didn't go for an easy Europop this time. I guess this is a good example of a song that will all stand on its live performance: if it is nailed they might reach the final, if it is not convincing ... no final. Qualifier: With some luck.   Iceland...

Finland will have its parliament elections next month and the advertising campaigns are in full swing. Last weekend Jarmo Juntunen's ad was delivered in every home with Lapin Kansa newspaper in Lapland and many looked the ad twice as along with him is none other than Mr Lordi himself. Today he responds: "I'm not supporting Perussuomalaiset. I did it for long lasting friendship. " *Perussuomalaiset or True Finns are the latest phenomenom in the Finnish politics causing many people worry a bit. In less than ten years it has become the third biggest party in Finland and cuased the eternal Big3 to become Big4. They are very anti-EU and anti-foreign in every way. Some are saying they might even win the elections and give us the next prime minister... God save us from that !

Did you know the youngest entrant this year is  Getter Jaani (born February 3, 1993) at 18? And the oldest is 3Js's Jaap De Witte (born June 2, 1954)? And that Paradise Oskar and Erik Saade are separated only by 6 days in birth? And Lena and Anastasya by 8 days? And Amaury and Eldar by only four? Twiins and Mika could also form a trio, they are only 10 days apart. The busiest years for this Eurovision have been 1991 (Jedward, Lena, Anastasiya, Christos) and 1986 (Loucas, Stella, Twiins, Mika). Over the half of the artists have been born in the 1980's (52%) and most everyone else in the 1990´s (21%) and 1970's (21%) with the exceptions of Dino Merlin in the 1960's and beforementioned Jaap in the 1950's.Youth vs. Experience. I think the winner is amongst these people here. Middle of the road is no good in Eurovision.... Here is the youngesters top-10: 1. Getter Jaani - Estonia 2. Emils Balceris - Latvia 3. Maja Keuc - Slovenia 4. Jedward - Ireland 5.Lena - Germany 6....

Spain - Lucia Perez - Que me quiten lo bailao ** What to say about this? Clearly not the best offer in the Spanish final. This song could have been the Spanish entry in any year in the past 30 years. Does it make it timeless? Or simply one in a dozen? Is it too much carneval so it works only there and comes across as tired and boring late Saturday night? And the fact that Lucia looks like a rabbit in the flashlights doesn't help either. Time will tell but I don't have high hopes for Spain bothering the battle on top this year (either). Shame.  Poland - Magdalena Tul - Jestem **** This is a good entry, well sung, produced and performed. And at least the fans are pleased they chose to perform the original Polish version instead of the English one, First class ticket to heaven . In my books this competes with Hungary and unfortunately loses but I'd be happy if they both make the final, especially because of the Finnish touch in it. Qualifier: Hopefully .  Italy - Raphael G...

When 20-year-old Axel Ehnström aka Paradise Oskar won the Finnish final of Eurovision he was a total nobody. He told himself that "nobody knew me. Now I don't know myself" after a week of media fuss caused by the victory. He had just 2-3 songs on his MySpace at the time and he was a pretty regular music student. Now he is an artist with a record deal with Warner Music Finland and the debut album will be released on May 4, 2011. He has written all the songs himself. The producers are  Leri Leskinen who also produced the final version of Da da dam , and Lasse Kurki by Warner. "We interested in Axel most of all as a songwriter. When we met I heard he's most inspired by brian Wilson and Jimmy Webb who are also my favourites. Knowing this is no wonder this young guy writes such great songs " says Kurki. The performance for Eurovision 2011 in Germany will be alike to the Finnish final one: just a guy with a guitar singing his song, no cabaret and dancing girls or ...

Moldova - Zdob si Zdub - So lucky *** I think this will be the fan shocker this year flying to the final and maybe even repeating their granny trick. Or then not. But the song has a hook, an annoyning one and that's much better than being without one, annoying or pleasant one. This won't go unnoticed. And surely will work the stage, too. I like this in some twisted way. Qualifier: Yes.  Turkey - Yüksek Sadakat - Live it up **** Turkey rocks once again and will go to the final and top-10 even without the diaspora votes. Simple good rock song that is memorable with the first hearing. Turkish it is not, which is a shame but I guess you can't have it all. This was one of my favourites from the moment one just like Turkey last year when I may have pronounced the words "Turkey may win" and how did that end? This time maybe not a winner but keeps the Turkish record straight. Life is beautiful, my friend!   Qualifier: For sure.   FYR Macedonia - Vlatko Ilevski - Rusin...

Carola has released a digital single Enough is enough from her coming Elvis, Barbra och jag album to coincide with her visit to Let's dance this week. This week she also performed Always on my mind and In the ghetto on TV so the promotion is in full blast. The album will be released next Wednesday and the day after she will hit the road for a Swedish tour. TV4 will also rerun her Carola i Valhalla show from last summer on March 31. Meanwhile the DVD climbs the charts again.

Yet some more. United Kingdom - Blue - I can ***** I wouldn't be surprised if they won the whole thing. And it might do Eurovision good. Some label them has-beens but Blue has still fans all over Europe and this can be a start of a beautiful come back. The recorded version is filled with all sort of voices but I like even more the stripped live version . They won't go for some over blown choreography which is a relief. If they win I won't be sad at all! Ukraine - Mika Newton - Angel * This song gives me nothing. Total indifference which is the worst I think. She's a good singer I guess but the song is dead boring and forgettable. This should not make the final if there's any justice and sense left to this Eurovision world. Qualifier: No. Slovakia - Twiins - I'm still alive ** This is another boring one. Not bad, just nice. Boring and nice. And Swedish. Compared to Azerbaijan this is totally uninteresting and I don't look forward so much to the vocals c...

We are used to having some sort of world records or at least to showcase the latest technology - remember the spidercam? or the fog screen? -  in the Eurovision and Düsseldorf is no exception. ARD will turn the Thyssen-Haus in the centre as the world biggest TV-screen where the semifinals and the final will be projected into it's 6.300 meter square facade. More than 30 projectors will be used along with light and 3D effects to make it look as good as possible. The building is visible in most parts of the city and if the weather is good you can enjoy Eurovision hundreds of meters away.... The Thyssen-Haus was built in 1957-60 and it is 84 meters high. Thanks to Daniel Motiño Camúñez for information

And we go on. Romania - Hotel FM - Change ** Like Switzerland this sounded much better when it was chosen months ago. And is it me or was the original version a bit stronger? One can't though forget these guys are at their best live and know how to work the camera so I think they will be sailing to the final anyways. Qualifier: Propably. Georgia - Eldrine - One more day ** This is a weird song. It starts very promising, then turns into some simil-rock before going into rap.... I don't know if I would ever listen to this if it wasn't an Eurovision entry. Most likely not. But the new singer - remember they replaced the singer right after their national final win? - works nicely I guess. Qualifier: Maybe. (but it doesn't deserve to) Finland - Paradise Oskar - Da da dam ***** I'm not giving this song five stars because I'm a Finn but because it really is one of my favourites this year. Important text contrasting with the title and people's ignorance. The son...

Lauri Ylönen of The Rasmus fame has released his first solo single Heavy off his coming album and it's pretty fabulously hypnotic and addictive. With an interesting story: "The song is based on an interesting conversation I had with a local taxi driver one night. We were talking about what it means to have the freedom of speech. He told me a story of a bird in a golden cage, where all the beauty and wonders of life has been brought infront of him but only thing he really wants is freedom. He asked me to write a song about it, so I went back to my hotel and did it that night. I really hope he’s able to hear this song one day!" (Lauri's Official Blog) Can't wait for the album! And if you want to know how he's doing in the charts, click here .

Mietta has been busy lately as she is releasing her new album Due soli... - the title track is the new single - in early April and later this month her first book L'albero delle giuggioli . The book sounds a bit autobiografical: "Chiara is 40, with a passion for dubbing cartoons. Adoring grandmother, distant mother. True friends, ex-lover. Is it possible to still believe in love after all, after really all? When you already think it's better to forget it and move on?". As we know she found her love a couple of years ago and became mother of Francesco at the age of 41 last year. And she dubs cartoons, Disney, is actress herself, has done audiobooks. And now she has written a book... But hey she has also designed cartoons to her own video Cambia pelle and directed Eccitazione . And she also had a restaurant in Rome and now in her hometown Taranto. And before all that she was a model. Multitalented woman indeed! But back to the album. It is her 11th album and first in...

And here some more. Azerbaijan - Ell & Nikki - Running scared **** Just like last year Azerbaijan hires the songwriters from Sweden and if last year's entry had a singer with questionable live singing capacities we need not to worry about that as both Ell and Nikki, or Eldar Qasimov (22) and Nigar Jamal (31) both can sing and work nicely despite my initial doubts how they would sound and look together. And this song is stripped off the main problem with Drip drop : over production. Pleasant entry, memorable in some way. Qualifier: Yes! The Netherlands - 3JS - Never alone *** This would have got four stars from me if kept in Dutch . I love the sound of Dutch. To tell the truth there isn't really so much difference with the English version but Dutch made it more exotic, so to speak. Anyways, this is a very nice song, rather catchy and radio friendly, one of the best songs this year but maybe it will be a bit lost in the crowd? Will get people all over Europe to vote for i...

I will start with the Eurovision 2011 videos today with my comments. My likes and dislikes. My predictions. That will be all wrong once again. Or then not... Switzerland - Anna Rossinelli - In love for while ** This song has lost a lot of its charm since it was chosen last year. I did like it back then so should I trust more on my first impression of the song? But she really needs to work her stage presense and her movements or she ends up looking like a C-class Idols wannabe. Iceland has a litlte bit similar song that might end up sounding and looking like more voters-friendly come mid-May. Qualifier? No . Ireland - Jedward - Lipstick **** Now what to make of this? I'd love to hate it but when I listen to it I can't. A little bit the Verka-effect.  I hated Verka with passion but by the ESC week I loved it. The guys seem to be a bit of a disaster vocally on stage but propably they manage to create a kind of hype and mediastorm in Germany we haven't seen since Dana Inter...

Todays's Iltalehti refers to Blogilkar's Life after Helsinki 2007! :-) Here .  Iltalehti is Finland's 4th biggest newspaper.

Riki Sorsa will start doing gigs this summer. This is big news since he suffered from throat and nose cancer five years ago and back then it seemed sure he would never sing again. The illness also caused him hearing problems. The treatments have been succesful over the years and now his doctor has given him an OK! Great news! Meanwhile Riki has become the face of the cancer battle in Finland and people were able to read about his cures in his blog. Welcome back, Riki! Amongst Riki's biggest hits is Euroviisut runner up Haaveissa vainko oot mun .

Now this comes as a surprise! Osmo Ikonen who tried in the Finnish Euroviisut in 2009 with Signmark ( Speakerbox ) and the year later solo ( Heaven and hell ) is apparently behind the Polish entry Jestem , now in English First class ticket to heaven . He has written the song with Brian Allan and Magdalena Tul herself. Once the Finnish media finds out there will surely be a Poland-Finland battle in the first semifinal..... And is that him in the backing vocals in the English version?

Alice releases a triple-CD with her greatest hits today under title Platinum collection . She has participated herself in the song selection so this isn't yet another rip off compilation by her record companies (as there seems to be in average two every year!). And for the first time songs from all periods of her career are included: Carla Bissi, Alice Visconti and Alice. That means the period from 1972 to 2009 including oldies like La festa mia , Un'isola and Io voglio vivere . Also the duet Zu nah am Feuer with Stefan Waggershausen is included, as is of course I treni di Tozeur and Chanson egocentrique with Franco Battiato. And for the very first Alice's solo version of Open your eyes , previosuly only available with Skye of Morcheeba. A very cut of her career even if you have her albums already while waiting for the new album in the making with new material :-)

Who would have thought we come to this? In this year's Eurovision not a single song is sung in French (except a few words in Lithuanian song, sigh). Even France itself has skipped French and sings in Corsican (for the second time actually) as they didn't want to sing in Italian as the song was originally written in. But then Italy on the other hand sings in mixed English-Italian and San Marino only in English. Norway brings Swahili to the contest with a song that is as Norwegian as is Swahili. What happened to the national flavour - the original idea of Eurovision? We have 36 entries in English or mixed English with Bosnian, Greek, Hungarian, Albanian or such. Only Serbia, Poland, Portugal, FYR Macedonia, Cyprus, Spain and Bulgaria stick to their national language - while writing this. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few hours we hear Poland, FYR Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia have changed to English! On the other hand we have to back to 1988 to find the last winner in Fren...

Today at 13 CET the draw for the running order will take place in Dusseldorf. Who gets the honour to open the contest and who to close it? This post will be updated later today. UPDATE: The draw is done as you can see below. I'm quite happy for Finland, nicely in the middle amongst two totally different uptempo numbers. First semifinal 10.5.2011 01. Poland (wildcard) 02. Norway 03. Albania 04. Armenia 05.Turkey commercial break 06. Serbia 07. Russia 08. Switzerland 09. Georgia 10. Finland 11. Malta 12. San Marino 13. Croatia 14. Iceland commercial break 15. Hungary 16. Portugal 17. Lithuania 18. Azerbaijan 19. Greece (wildcard) Second semifinal 12.5.2011 01. Bosnia & Herzegovina 02. Austria 03. The Netherlands 04. Belgium 05. Slovakia (wildcard) commercial break 06. Ukraine 07. Moldova 08. Sweden 09. Cyprus 10. Bulgaria11. FYR Macedonia 12. Israel 13. Slovenia 14. Romania commercial break 15. Estonia 16. Belarus 17. Latvia (wildcard) 1...

The Icelandic entry has been translated into English and is Coming home now. Very simple and fitting video for the song that I have no idea what Europeans will think about....

And here is the Maltese video for Glen Vella's One life . Very colorful pointing out the fact we are all the same in the end.  Very nice video indeed.

Here is the preview video for Senit's Stand by , written by a 30-year-old Radiosa Romani from Rome. Nice to see some snowy images from the tiny country! And the song's a grower.

Here it is, the last missing song from Eurovision 2011. The singer is the same Anastasiya, the text is still local propaganda and the song's propably even worse than the original one.... Judge yourself here . It might be ok if sung in Russian so I wouldn't understand one word... Yikes!

The 43 delegations are meeting in Düsseldorf today and tomorrow. Italy's return was greeted with a big applause when the delegations presented their songs and preview videos. The opening act for the final will be Stefan Raab Big Band performinf Satellite , and the interval act will be by Jan Delay and his group Disco No.1. Once again there will be LED wall behind the stage that has been kept small this time. It also includes a satellite some 40 meters infront of the stage, whatever that means? Hanging? A catwalk? Jerry Appell has designed the stage and 26 cameras will be used to capture it all for TV.  The postcards will feature national flavor and the slogan Feel your heartbeat pronounced in national language. Well, at least that as you won't hear many languages besides English this year otherwise as 34 songs will be performed in English or partly in English.  The press center will be situated next to the arena in Athletics sport hall and once again there will be tents outsi...

Azeris have renamed their artists as Ell & Nikki and their song is Runnung scared . Well, what to say? Sounds very Swedish, the way Drip drop did.... Update: It was just a wild guess but now it has been confirmed the same Swedish team is behind this song!

The videos keep coming in. Here's the Celebrate by Daria Kinzer for Croatia!

Albania has presented its entry in English with a fancy video to go with it. This time around the song hasn't been completely overdone and rearranged but sounds pretty much the same as before. Here .