The 62nd Eurovision song contest airs from Kyiv, Ukraine tonight 9PM CET. 26 countries made it this far and are competing for the glass trophy. The odds are telling a battle between Italy and Portugal, followed by Bulgaria, Belgium and Sweden to complete the Top-5. We will see how this ends....
Should Portugal win it will be it's first while their entry is their 50th since 1964. Their best placing to date is 6th in 1996 so whatever happens Portugal is set have its best placing ever. Portugal skipped last year to "think it over" and it worked.
Bulgaria has participated ten times before but reached the final only twice placing 4th and 5th, so when they do final they do good. They also skipped a couple of years before returning last year with their best placing yet, 4th. Will they also do better tonight?
Italy is after its third victory (1964, 1990) after the disappointment in 2015 when the they won the televote but juries pushed Il Volo to the third place. They are fearing the same could happen tonight. Italy has been reigning very alone the top spot in the betting odds since February. The runners ups have changed rapidly and no one has come even close. Until the past few days when Portugal reached them and finally yesterday surpassed pushing Italy to the second place. RAI has been a very sceptical broadcaster over the years and stayed away 1994-1996 and 1998-2010. After their return they have been on podium twice with four Top-10 finishes out of six. The air has changed - they want it.
Sweden is an Eurovision powerhouse. After their only non qualification in 2010 (They finished 11th in the semifinal) two victories (2012, 2015) and two third places (2011, 2014) and 5th last year. Some fear they could pull a surprise tonight as well and score their 7th victory thus equaling Ireland as the country with the most wins......
Belgium was the second favorite until the live performances that made them drop in the odds. After very shaky start Blanche has been buildimg confidance on stage again and Belgium has climbed back to top contenders and is already charting all over Europe. Could it be a compromise winner if for example Italy and Portugal score very differently in the jury and televoting - a bit like Ukraine last year? To be honest in that case I think it will be Bulgaria though....
Belgium has won once (1986), also with a young girl, they struggled through 2000's but 2010's have been better with four Top-12 finish (2010, 2013, 2015, 2016).
Belgium has won once (1986), also with a young girl, they struggled through 2000's but 2010's have been better with four Top-12 finish (2010, 2013, 2015, 2016).
Or could it be someone else? United Kingdom? France? Romania? I don't quite think so but we will see....
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Then again, this is Eurovision...... Anything can happen. Living innside the bubble blinds you at times.....
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