It's time. Every year this is hard, some years harder than the others but this year takes the prize. Out of 17 semi-final one entries each one is a possible qualifier, except Denmark, in either my prediction or in my own preference list. It's also harder than usual as I haven't been following that closely and haven't seen too many videos as usual and most performances are still a mystery to me on stage. Let's see better.
I would say Ukraine, the Netherlands, Greece, Norway and Armenia are sure qualifiers. with Moldova and Portugal quite surely doing it. That's seven.Then we have Albania, Latvia and Lithuania that are fan favorites, but will juries and televoters fall for them? Albania is shouty show number with questionable rhythm changes and might end up way too chaotic for a general viewers. Besides history has proven angry ladies don't do well at Eurovision. Latvia is fun and colorful and great audience pleaser in the arena but does it work on telly? Lithuania then.... is it just too simple and forgettable and old?
Switzerland and Slovenia offer valid songs but without that extra spark that would makes them stand out enough. Croatia and Iceland have great songs but scream eleventh place in most every country.
Finally Bulgaria and Austria, two different entries that might appeal to those liking those genres and therefor can't be ruled out whatever the fandom in the bubble says..... Then again Latvia and Moldova could cancel a bit each other out....
If it was for me, my personal taste and preference it would be Ukraine, the Netherlands, Portugal, Croatia, Austria, Iceland, Greece, Norway, Armenia and Switzerland or Slovenia for the last slot but.....
Ok..... here goes:
Latvia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Moldova, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Norway and Armenia making Albania the shock NQ and Bulgaria the surprise Q.
(If I have a change of heart after seeing the performances tonight I will update here before the results)
Update: 7/10 from prediction and 8/10 from wish list. Almost better than I dared to think! Bulgaria was indeed a wildcard and I lost it and Austria didn't make it in the end after all, not that I never believed much in it. Glad to see I was right about Albania and Switzerland all along and Lithuania was always a question mark. It's a nice addition to the line up even if it's a bit long three minutes really.....
Comments