Oh my. Am I happy Finland isn't in this semi-final? Yes! Why? Because it's simply insane. Only two top favorites Netherlands and Switzerland are in it. Israel is in it. The odds predict a top-10 with a huge margin to the 11th place but in the bottom there are my/my Home jury's favorites not qualifying, and some of my/our bottom-5's to qualify easily. What a dilemma. I guess the prediction and what I'd want to qualify lists differ more than ever.
And if we only talk about odds, that usually are quite right, how boring it is. But just to stir things up a little who could be out and who could be a shock qualifier?!
And Israel. What will happen? In rehearsals people are booing and Ebu is going to silence all that best they can and insert pre-recorded applause instead and switches off the microphones in the audience. Then again that's nothing new, the same happened with Russia back in 2014 and 2015. Or at least they tried.
It's going to be an interesting night with a lot of Finland. Did you know the UMK staging and choreography team is also behind, partly or fully, Albania and Switzerland? Albania's dancers are also Finnish. And all the pyros in Malmö for that matter once again by Pyroman from Espoo, Windows95man's (and mine for that matter) hometown. And I just learned the Eurovision application is a Finn made as well. But most of all we will have a fun interval act making fun of Sweden and a bit of Finland with Moomin trolls, Ievan polkka and most of all Käärijä! When is the last time the previous year's runner up has been performing in Eurovision? Right. Never. Swedish must feel a bit shamed after all for things that happened last year. Or maybe not. Love you Edward anyways!
So, the prediction. The odds say between 72 and 93% chance Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Armenia, Israel, Norway, Georgia, Belgium, Austria and Estonia. Then we have a drop to 33% chance with San Marino followed by Denmark, Albania, Czechia, Malta and Latvia.
Who could flop? My top choices are Greece and Georgia, then Norway and Belgium. My Home jury didn't get Greece at all. Shouty and messy and Greek tend to be a bit fanatic, it could be its Greek and fandom that has pushed it that high in odds rather than real better perhaps? Georgia then is just another girlie pop with dancers, quite dark and aggressive in that, too. Could it be Malta takes the longer straw here after all? Belgium, I like the song and it's great and deserves a final but the staging somehow just isn't there of what I have seen. Therefor it sadly could not make it. Norway is a question mark as well, in the end will it appeal enough?
As I mentioned before Malta could squeeze in after all, as well as San Marino. It's fun and memorable and quirky. And in my books deserves a final rather than Georgia for example. Albania has surprised us before and could do it again even if I still prefer the FiK version and performance to be honest. And then we have Czechia, our Home Jury winner. Could it score in the end midtable votes enough o make it, just like it did with us? That leaves us with Latvia, considered hopeless and indeed it is rather unmemorable among all this circus, but then again a good song, sung by one of the best vocalists this year. For that alone he would deserve a place in the final.
Oh boy, this semi-final is traumatic.
First who I'd want to qualify:
Albania, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Israel,
Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland
(Update: Quite a disaster, isn't it? But then again I like most every song so no problem)
Who I think will qualify:
Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Greece, Israel,
Netherlands, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland
This must be the most uncertain list I have ever written down. Help me Moomin!
Random thought during the show:
King of Denmark with Mary and Jedward spotted in the audoience.
These homages to ex participants (Jahn Teigen tonight, Nicole Tuesday) are very nice touch. As are the postcards with previous entries, as well as those big names that didn't make it, and those who did poorly. We fans know all that but common people have no idea (or memory).
The allsång aka karaoke thingy was kinda fun but then again a bit lazy, wasn't it? And who did make up to Helena and Sertab?! Or did they both go under the knife?
Edward and Petra did again great job with little stunts here and there, like the Eurovision Thong Contest for Fiins. And the Finland thing with Käärijä in whole. All done with love. Thank you!
Did you notice Käärijä doing Windows95man's signature pose in the end?
Dons gave one of the best performances of the evening, even with a tear. And it paid off against all odds! And I am very happy for it.
France and Spain were outstanding but Italy.... WTF?! That was one of the evening's worst staging and camerawork, You just may have ruined all your changes to win. The power of the song is Angelina, her close ups and vocals, her energy. Her simple presence. Like in Sanremo. Here she was lost among the confusing backdrops, dresses, dancers.... You coundn't tell who she was among them and she didn't connect with the camera almost at all. In Sanremo she came across the screen straight into your living room, A missed chance a total disaster. And I'm so pissed for that.
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