Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

If the first semi-final prediction felt hard - and I surprised even myself by getting a 10 out of 10 result   - this second one seems impossible at this point. It features some certain qualifiers no matter what and some biggest favorites for victory. Add Finland and my beloved San Marino with the help of Flo Rida, some of it is easy. But the rest? Oh dear..... It will be a lottery I suppose. Let's start with the easy and obvious: Switzerland, Iceland, Finland, Bulgaria, San Marino, Greece . Those should be easily in. Then I think Serbia, Albania and Portugal will qualify as well.  But then what to think about Austria? He could be a jury vote magnet with that simple staging and powerful vocals and who knows if televoters will feel it, too? And all Philippinos across Europe voting as well. Maybe. Czech Republic is a fun song and even if he seems to have been less convincing in the rehearsals apparently nailed with last night in jury rehearsal with energy and positive vibes. W...

And so it happened, I predicted 10/10 this time around. Surprised even myself! Otherwise it was a fine show, that went on rather smoothly if you forget some delays in change of stagings especially for Ireland and Malta, and that the sound level in some inserts was rather bad. Nice stage, ok graphics and postcards. Things can only get better for the second semi-final and most importantly for the final. And here they are, the finalists that I guessed all right, did I mention that already? Lithuania got 2nd half in the final Russia got 1st half in the final Sweden got 2nd half in the final Cyprus got 1st half in the final Norway got 2nd half in the final Israel got 1st half in the final Azerbaijan got 2nd half in the final Ukraine got 2nd half in the final Malta got 1st  half in the final Belgium got 1st half in the final

I'm still quite shaken by the death of my biggest musical influences Franco Battiato last night and therefor it feels a bit uneasy to sit down and try to concentrate on guessing the Eurovision song contest 2021 semi-final one qualifiers. Also because this year I have followed very little the rehearsals and have seen only the official short clips and my ideas are based on that very little and maybe much more on the first impression I had when the song was selected or released this spring.  I don't know if it's because of that but this feels harder than ever. For all I know I have 14 songs that could make it really and now looking at that list let's make it 15/16.... Maybe more than ever my personal taste differs from that of fans and odds.  However I would put as sure ones Lithuania, Russia, Sweden, Cyprus, Ukraine and Malta .  Sweden when selected made me think it could win the whole thing again but somehow it doesn't feel that strong anymore. Russia and Cyprus we...

The traditional red carpet that would have led to the usual welcome party and official opening of the Eurovision song contest after the first rehearsals have been done for all took place today in Rotterdam's harbor despite fandom screaming for a last minute cancellation when several countries were put in quarantine in the past 24 hours starting with Poland (35 in the odds atm) and Iceland (4) and later also Romania (18) and Malta (3) when someone in the delegations has tested positive. Probably and hopefully the second tests will come back negative and the show continues as usual for next weeks general rehearsals and live shows. Also missing of course Australia (28).  Seeing today's rather crowded happening one can't be too hopeful but let's hope for the best. Meanwhile here are the rest in their red carpet glory in the order they are now in the betting odds, or from Italy to Georgia. Enjoy!

  After two long years the day is finally here! The feeling is a bit surreal and unreal. But here we are and it's a good feeling. As I am not present I just post the photos and videos (all lovingly taken from eurovision.tv ) and comment what I can at this point which is obviously next to nothing for the pure joy of it.  Lithuania's The Roop seems to stick pretty much to the performance of their national final with the same yellow outfits and choreography with the similar backdrop, too. All adapted to Ahoy Rotterdam's bigger stage of course. Besides the three band members the two dancers they had before as well. Slovenia's Ana Soklic is on stage alone with her pre-recorded big gospel choir. The familiar white dress is there as is the big voice. The backdrop seems to be quite effective and beautiful. Russia's Manizha delivers the night's first pyros and wardrobe gimmick and seems to have gained many, many new fans with them. She's got her four backing singers ...

  From Lithuania to Malta, and from San Marino to Denmark.  Let the fandom have a meltdown over analyzing the reasons why a certain country is where but it's good to remember it's not only having a variety of genres and genders in the mix but also props and stagings have a significant weight in the decision. And of course they want to clue the audience to the screen from the very first moment and Lithuania and San Marino will certainly do that. I also suspect San Marino may have some heavy props to move around - fast to remove but takes time to set up.  Time will tell.