Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

While the Finnish media has been delighted today and also rather surprised Paradise Oskar actually did make it to the final in some other countries it's a different story. Ask Norway. Ask Stella Mwangi. She was quoted commenting "Shit happens" before bursting into tears. The Turkish guys seem to have taken it easier but has anyone seen Emmy for comments? Turkey misses the final for the first time and after 6 top-10 finishes in the past eight years including one winner and one runner-up. Armenia misses the final for the first time, too. They have scored 5 top-10 placements in the past 5 years. And more importantly lose the personal battle with Azerbaijan that went on to the final and is one of the favourites even for the victory. Last night's qualifiers brought some surprises. Who would have thought Lithuania would make it? Evelina is a mighty singer but the song was concidered maybe a bit dated. And then we have a trio of good mood rather acoustic simple songs Switze...

Lithunia seems unchanged as well. The same dress, the same big voice, the same song. And the much critized sign language. It does indeed feel a bit clued on and cheap but if it makes them happy why not? The stage looks beautiful, too. Still, I fall to the side of non qualification for Lithuania after all.... Azerbaijan follows and are wearing their outfits, all white. The staging seems to be working, the lightning, too. The weakest part is Nikki herself while Eldar delivers vocally. They have no trouble qualifying and will be top-10 in the final, no doubt about that. Greece next. Apparently they have not been satisfied with their first rehearsal (well then, are they ever??) But it's all quite wonderful when Loucas sings, less so when Mike takes the mic. And what happened to the beautiful Greek pillars? I hope they are back and they were just testing something else. I wonder if this is what they are going to wear as it looks rather boring and in general I'm not sure if this i...

Evelina has a mighty voice and does parts of the song in sign language, too, just in case. It's all in blue light with a piano on stage. Her hair and dress are much better than in the national final. But is there an audience for this kind of a song? Maybe. Could this be a surprise qualifer? Here are the videos: AKOE . Escdaily, Official

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...

Evelina Sašenko's C'est ma vie has won the Lithuanian final last night. I was caling out for a powerballad for Eurovision 2011 and here we have it. Just that isn't that good. Actually it's a snore. She can sing for sure but the song's just not good enough. And her horrid dress doesn't help either... Here are the results of the first round (televote + jury), Evelina won both. 1. Evelina Sašenko — C‘est ma vie  24 2. Linas Adomaitis — Floating to You  18 3. Rūta Ščiogolevaitė — I will break free  14 4. Monika — Days go by  12 5. Donatas Montvydas — Let me  10 6. Liepa — Laukiu  9 7. Urtė Šilagalytė — Candy Baby  6 8. Sasha Song — The Slogan of Our Nation  6 9. The Independent — 7th bus  5 10. VIG Roses — Freedom of mind  4 11. Donatas Montvydas and Sasha Song — Best Friends  3 12. Martynas Beinaris — Tomorrow and after  3 13. Viktorija Ivaškevičiūtė — Be my Baby  2 In superfinal there was only televote: 1. Ev...