Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Let's continue the series and kill some time having a look at the last decade and see who were the Top-10 best scoring countries in the Eurovision song contest in the past ten years. The ways to calculate are many and here I have used the simple average placement method (and it's not all so serious). Next up is Denmark at n.o 8. They have been doing constantly pretty well except two non qualification in between compensated by a win and additional three top-10 finishes in this decade. Anti Social Media is the one I hardly remember at all to be honest.... but I do remember Tim Schou's shirt all too well! And no one seems to like Soldiers of love , I do. Whereas Where I am .... not so much! 2011 A Friend in London - New tomorrow - 5th *** 2012 Soluna Samay - Shoud've known better - 23rd *** 2013 Emmelie De Forest - Only teardrops - WINNER ***** 2014 Basim - Cliché love song - 9th *** 2015 Anti Social Media - The way you are - NQ (13th in semi-final) ...

Nina Zilli is back in Italy where many expected a victory but she came home with a respectful 9th place, or "nono posto" and it's that what she has now taken as her new nickname, Nona Zilli, 9th Zilli. "I knew I was considered a candidate for the victory but it didn't come. But it's ok, I'm happy anyways. I managed to make my music known in many, many countries and everything went well, that's all that matters. I have played basket ball for many years and I know how to take defeat. You win and you lose. You just have to level with it and go on."   She also tells she prefered in Baku the old town to the new town but unfortunately she had to spend more time in the new one. "From my hotel room I saw the Flame towers and a boutique with all the luxury labels but just around the corner was the old city, alleys from the 6th century, echoes of the minarets, people who love Italy and like in Italy, those you have little are easier to share the ...

Cyprus is the second to last today having its second rehearsal. The backdrop is the same as before and good, as it's stunningly beautiful. Ivi and her group are doing the fine choreography and the song is catchy and after my initial dislike I like it now. The weakest leak seems to me still Ivi and her vocals, all will depend on that the big night. This can be Kate Ryan or it can go very far.... Her first performance was surprisingly good and really made me rethink its chances but today wasn't as good vocally. That's the crucial point for Cyprus. And I have a feeling we will have some pyros added here... More here . Last but not least Denmark today. Soluna sings very well, the beautiful backdrop is there.... What's there not to  like about this one? It also features my favourite line of this season "now I miss you like Sahara misses rain". Now that's a a lot of missing! Or does Sahara miss the rain at all? maybe it's content of being just like i...

The Irish Jedward seem to be having time of their life in the Eurovision, so much so they have promposed to do it for Ireland every year from now on! Anyways, in Baku the hotel's pool has seen them in it with the Trackshittaz from Austria ( here ) and doing the backing singers-dancers for Soluna Samay from Denmark ( here ). I guess that hotel isn't the most peaceful place on earth right now... :-)

The second day of technical rehearsals has started and Israel will be the first act on stage this morning. Israel has a huge clock in the background, pulsing red and green lights and two backing singers-dancers in the catwalk doing 60's-70's style groovy moves. Vocally also good. Hmmm, now I have to say this sounded and looked good! More here . San Marino next. Yes, the laptop is on stage with Valentina and her five backing singers who all are involved in the choreography. A million friends are featured in the backdrop with various "Oh"s and "Uh"s. It all comes across light and bubbly, carefree and happy. If the televoters or jurors will get the irony of it, is another matter. More here . Cyprus is on stage next and one of the most curiously awaited ones: can Ivi sing live? She and her four dancing girls are in a white-blue setting that reminds a bit Kylie Minogue's Afrodite stuff and rightly so. The choreography is rather demanding and by...

Two blond ladies with blue eyes, catchy little rather acoustic song, perfect for radios. While Denmark has a hint of melancholy in it, Latvia is bursting with good mood and happiness singing about the song she is singing about. How weird is that? Weird but wonderful but so is Denmark's entry. I have fondly disliked all these Danish entries of recent year's that have done very well in Eurovision - does this now mean Denmark will bomb as I like it? And how about Latvia? Many say they like it "somehow" but it will not be voted for. Are we sure? As said, Denmark has done the top-5 two years in a row, while Latvia has missed the final three years in a row. Will the tables turn this year? And both have a very messy staging in national finals to sort out before Baku. Will they succeed? Latvia - Anmary - Beautiful song ***** The song is insanely catchy, whether you like it not, the melody sticks into your brain. And the corny lyrics. But it also comes across that the...