Both countries are yet to win Eurovision. Romania has been in top-5 three times and often a favorite making int to the final every time since the semifinals were introduced. while Bulgaria has made it to the final only once - in Helsinki 2007 were they finished 5th. I think they should have made the final several times. This year both send a dance track and a song that wouldn't be out of place in any Eurodisco and beach party come summer 2012. This ends 0-2 for Romania.
Bulgaria - Sofi Marinova - Love unlimited ***
Bulgaria's song mixes 11 languages, including host country's language that will be heard on Eurovision stage for the very first time. It's all about love in any language and Sofi tries to keep up with the mix. The song itself isn't anything special but it works. It has the atmosphere of a lazy afternoon/early evening after lunch when one starts to get ready for the evening while holidaying somewhere hot and sunny. A drink in a glass and smell of aftersun in the air. Will it be enough to lift them into the final this time? I doubt.
Romania - Mandinga - Zaleilah ****1/2
Romania is a mixture of languages and nationalities, too. Elena boosts more open sensuality than Sofi and there's a dance to this and more infectious chorus and it sounds more 2012 than Bulgaria's 90's Eurodisco. This is predicted to become the summer hit of 2012 and it could well be. How well they will do in Eurovision and live on stage is another story as there's a danger it could become very messy affair indeed. But most likely this will fly to the final and be a contender there. A winner? More like the runner up.
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