We were blessed last year, I’m really struggling to pick out songs that I like. At the minute I’d put it between Croatia, Italy and Ukraine. UK song isn’t terrible but it’s not remotely punchy enough, Ireland’s is diabolical. France or Denmark for the jury vote. Fancy Cyprus to do alright and Netherlands * I’ve stuck a little bet on Netherlands at 40/1. Those figures are insane
Iceland had their final tonight... They chose their 2010 act Hera Björk instead of Bashar. While I'm not really a fan of Hera's song this year, her 2010 is one of my all time underrated Eurovision classics
Ours isnt bad. I'm hoping after a few listens it will be a bit of a grower. Better than last years in my opinion, and think he'll put on a better performance on the night. Irelands though, wow.... Its one of the worst songs ive ever heard. Horrendous.
First semifinal tonight and for the first time I can remember I am extremely hopeful for Ireland's chances, we've surged to 5th favourite to win the whole thing! Croatia and Ukraine are the main contenders to watch tonight, Lithuania and Finland will be fun to watch. UK's Olly Alexander will be performing tonight too.
Nice to see the UK actually putting effort in again. Wasn’t a huge fan of Olly’s song but it comes off much better on stage The only difference I had in the first semi final was Moldova ahead of Serbia, otherwise I got it right! I personally just can’t get into Bambie Thug but I understand why it comes off well to the Eurovision audience Of the favourites Croatia had the crowd fully behind them and Ukraine were very good. I just think there’s so many contenders this year that it’s going to take a decent tele vote and jury score rather than one or the other, so Italy still favourites in my eyes
I had 9/10 for Semi 1 qualifiers, I had Poland qualifying ahead of Cyprus (between Ireland, UK, Germany and Ukraine I thought there's be enough diaspora/neighbour votes to get Poland through even with the poorer quality entry). Croatia, Ukraine and Ireland likely did the best with the Televote, given the audience noise and number of views the songs have accrued on the Eurovision YouTube channel. Croatia and Ireland are the heavy hitters with the televote, and I think Netherlands will join them. Italy and Ukraine will pull in a good televote score and also should do really well with the jury vote. Saturday will be fascinating as unlike last year there are several songs with a chance. As of right now I think the top 6 will be; Croatia, Ukraine, Italy, Ireland, France, Switzerland.
I liked Cyprus which is why I thought Serbia may have struggled being up after them. Nice to see the first 5 acts from a semi final qualify though, think that’s the first time it’s ever happened. I know I really am struggling to call it I think Joost will get a big televote but will fall short due to the jury vote and vice versa for France who will storm the jury. Ireland I think will do well but probably be battling it out with France and Netherlands for that 5th spot So it’s between Croatia, Ukraine, Italy and Switzerland for me and I wouldn’t begrudge any of them winning Bit gutting for Olly as in other years he could’ve very easily been looking at top 5 but the field is just so strong at the top this year Shows why you shouldn’t judge songs on first listen.. my post further up as Denmark contending for the jury, UK as poor and Ireland as diabolical Just praying on Joost as I had them at 40/1 paying 5 places
Semi-Final 2 gets underway shortly, it's a lot harder to predict than the first. France, Spain and Italy will all be performing and voting but are through already. Spain is camp fun but will go nowhere, the other two are contenders. France is, as usual, exceedingly French and Italy was one of the favourites as @Donnyrovers90 alluded to but has drifted in the odds as the staging looks worse than at Sanremo. Of those qualifying Switzerland and Netherlands are amongst the favourites for the competition with the first song being a stronger option as it is both jury and televote friendly. Greece and Norway are certain qualifiers, I'm not a fan of the Greek entry this year but the Norwegian one is one of my personal favourites. Georgia, Armenia and Estonia are my likely qualifiers, they're all very televote friendly. Latvia is the only entry I'm sure will not qualify, despite it being a good song.... it's just a bit bland. Everyone else is borderline, chose three from {Belgium, Austria, Denmark, San Marino, Malta, Czechia, Albania and the country that shouldn't be there}.
Yeah I didn’t realise until today how hard it is to pick the qualifiers from this semi final because many of them are much of a muchness. I also can’t get on with Greece’s entry this year but all of the Eurovision you tubers seem to be gushing over it Also as you say, Italy’s performance tonight could see them drop right out of contention if the rehearsals are anything to go by Israel will very unfortunately qualify. Belgium was as high as 3rd in the odds at one point which I never understood, but is massively at risk of not qualifying. I actually really don’t mind Czechia’s entry but it’s going to be hard to qualify, Austria is another one that after early hype of a top 10 finish could easily drop out tonight
Would love to see San Marino qualify. Loved Belgium when it was released, its just too slow a build, too repetitive and he's not great live so not surprised if he misses out.
I was amazed to see the Israeli entry at around 33/1 in the betting earlier today. Given the current context, I can't see how they have a hope in hell of even qualifying tonight, let alone being in the reckoning on Saturday. I thought 100/1 and bigger on the UK (minimum 20/1 for a place) was well worth a punt given we've at least sent someone with some credibility and profile this time around.
I just think there’s too many people out there that will give Israel a solidarity vote as much as I may disagree with that. I like your optimism but it’s so tight at the top I can’t see you getting any return on that but worth a punt at 100/1
Better value going for top 10 finishes imo. Quality is so strong in this semi that the occasional Israeli vote might not be enough.
Switzerland good but not sure if it wins, all depends on how much damage Ireland and Netherlands do to Croatian televote. It's going to be a very very tight finish I think.
Wasn’t as impressed as others have been but Nemo is very good and certainly wouldn’t bet against him. Czechia got the graveyard shift going after Switzerland tonight unfortunately! Malta has been my second favourite after Switzerland so far so hopefully they qualify
