The results of the first semi-final had four gross miscarriages of justice. I’m talking police level of crime, y’all. Europe, what were you thinking?
Belgium — Axel Hirsoux
This was a beautiful, evocative song celebrating what mothers give us. If you have a heart it should have brought tears to your eyes. It didn’t just tug on heartstrings—it ripped them. Only Hungary could match this on an emotional level. It deserved a top 10 placing in the final. I hope the mothers of every jury member that did not put this in the top 5 has a “discussion” with their child. A long and painful discussion.
Iceland — Pollapönk
WTF? This was the worst song of the night. This is the one song that made me wish I was at home instead of the arena so I could take a 3-minute bathroom break. And this made it while the others on this list did not? Europe, you sent through these pre-school teachers and exercised the judgment of a pre-schooler in the process. And for this you need to go into time-out…
Portugal
Ok, so Suzy did not come out of a disco ball spaceship. But this was every bit as good a number—and with Iberian flair. This is the quintessential Eurovision number and there must be an entry like this in the final. I’m guessing this lost due to the jury vote. If so, then the juries don’t understand what Eurovision is about. It should be a fiesta!
Moldova
How, how, how did Moldova not make it while Azerbaijan did? Cristina had the most interesting voice of any act last night. Incredible presence and personality in her presentation. An act that supported the song perfectly. A very strong and interesting song. And she sang it beautifully. Were the votes going elsewhere out of habit? Because Cristina deserved to be in the top 5 of the semi.
So what do you think the biggest crimes were last night? Let us know in the comments box below.
Photo: Thomas Hanses (EBU)
David, wrong on all four songs. Belgium’s song was a bad melodrama. You speak English so you should know how bad the lyrics were. Who would describe their mother as their satellite? Iceland had one of the best song in ESC2014. It was full of energy & had a message too. Glad to see it is getting lots of support on this page. Pollaponk rocked. Portugal’s song was generic. It was OK but did not deserve to go to the finals. I liked Moldova’s song (& still do) but they buried themselves with a bad performance. The clothes, the dancers… Read more »
Iceland’s song is not a masterpiece, but they are funny and unpretentious, with a great message within. I somewhat agree that Portugal had a good performance and it’s catchy, yet we had many stronger contestants. Lyrics are 0 points, written in like 2 minutes. Belgium’s song is sung well, but so cheesy and prententious. Why would an adult sing such a song, even if he is very close to his mother. Moldova had a great song, but too off performance. They should have gone black and much grittier for such a song, it was bit too much shiny. Personally, I… Read more »
Hahaha. Heard that somebody said. : Europe is tolarant only towards gays, but not towards fat people. They resemble Americans and Europe does not like Americans. Hehehe, it really looks like it’s easier to be a gay (brrr) than a fatty at Eurovision.
I agree with you, Portugal should be in the final. She brings the vibe to the crowd and certainly this song will have a life after Eurovision, it could be a summer hit. However, I don’t agree about Icelandic entry. I think they also deserve to go through to the final as well and it’s not the worst song we heard on the night. The song basically consists of some unusual riffs and chords inspired by post-punk era and to put that funk arrangement on the interlude part somehow looks very sophisticated although you may think it’s a kind of… Read more »
@kaden Saying Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey are the same people (split same votes) is like saying that, respectively, Poland, Austria, Germany are same people.
yeah, I think Belgium was robbed….They deserve to the final!
I totally agree! And I think Estonia should have qualified for the final, too!
What a dissapointment! Totally! In my opinion the countries who were victims of the non qualifing spell were Albania and Moldova and maybe Estonia.
Albania had such an awesome performance, the voice docile and everyhting was great.
Same for Moldova. I was O_O when I saw she didn qualify.
Estonia- Does she breath air?
Also seeing the teletubbies from Iceland qualify -.-“””
(Btw..Nothing personal with them)
i think that the 10 that made it to the finals were all good. I would have liked estonia and moldova to join them instead of russia and azerbaijan.
however as azerbaijan is in the finals, the votes will be splits between armenia and azerbaijan —- so that is good for the other songs in the finals.
(in 2011 if armenia, turkey and azerbaijan all qualified for the finals azerbaijan would not have won the ESC)
So far a lot of songs that could be on a James Bond soundrack. As much as I love some of the ballads, any NON BALLAD Song is a relief!!! (I can’t believe there will be no cake!!!) Overall I can appreciate the musicality of each song and for the most part the message in the lyrics. I have enjoyed the competition so far. Belgium. This was a beautiful song. But to me the dancing mother figure in the back was a little on the creepy side. It just seems that he’s trying too hard ( seeing that it’s mother’s… Read more »
Moldova lost out because the song is just dull. It just feels like there’s vocals and there’s a dubstep background, with nothing to connect the two and provide the fullness of the intended mood. In any case, the quiet reception in the hall said everything. She also missed the notes during the most interesting part of the song. Iceland made it because their song is actually pretty good. So hardcore Eurovision fans don’t like straight-up alternative rock – big deal! They performed it well, sang well, had a well-written song with great English lyrics and a great message. They absolutely… Read more »
Four crimes:
Portugal
Russia
Netherlands
Estonia!!!!
Hersi, Tanja and Suzy should be at the Final. Hersi was great… Before Eurovision I didn’t liked that song, but when I saw yesterday, was incredible.Hersi is a lovely person, and did really well! Tanja was one of my top 10 before Eurovision (of all 37). Is an AMAZING song and AMAZING dance performance (old joke). But her vocals did worked very well last night. But, for me, is still one of the best songs in 2014. Suzy should be at the Final, and I was expecting that. Was a really party on the stage, and I thought that performing… Read more »
Moldova had the worst song, I repeatedly stated this in every post where contestants were ranked.
Like who wants to see a bitter woman that looses hair on stage …. Cancer is not a joke people, she looked like she was going through chemo while she was singing, and honestly in those 3 minutes I felt like that as well !!!
Missing hair for second semi final now, thanks Moldova.
Suzy seemed in pain her face looked weird while she was singing a great song,azerbadjan took Estonia’s place, San Marino took Belgium ‘a place , everything else was great !!! Can’t wait for the second semi final !!!
Tomorrow’s crime: “It’s a miree-cull”…
😉
Hi David, Thanks for starting such an interesting discussion. I’d like to start by saying that referring to us as Europe made me giggle… Let’s say we all have different views of who is in Europe and who is not in Europe, both groups having their pride intact. This might also explain why such miscarriages of justice happen in the ESC palace. I do not believe that Moldova was robbed, plain creepy! Portugal would only have been a token as you nearly put it yourself and competition is tough this year. Belgium should have learned its lesson, most people of… Read more »
Belgium was my bathroom break. I don’t ever recall ever sitting through all three minutes of that rehearsal. Dilara was not up to par with other Azerbaijan entries, really disappointed with them this year. The acrobat seems a bit lackluster, why not make it more interesting with a ribbon dancer and maybe…fire? Her live vocals were also wibbly wobbly. Moldova should’ve made it through– she ripped out her weave! Also, I think Portugal and Estonia should have made it through.
Most of them are nervous, alright. But I can’t deny that they did provided a great show that night. Even the less favorable participants for the majority of the audiences and fans alike really impressed me with the quality performance they presented because they are very surreal on stage.
Portugal & Estonia should have gone through
I really must disagree. Portugal had my least favourite song and performance of the night. It was repetitive, boring and not even sung very well. I feel like if any entrant is going to submit a dance entry, then they at least need to be able to dance with energy and give us a song that makes us want to get on our feet. The only thing Quero se tua did was make me want to turn down the volume. Belgium was pretty dire. It was sung very well, yes, but still the song is dire.. Iceland was fun and… Read more »
russia sucks, portugal was robbed
@one cent
Something we agree on, I can easily see MEI bringing down the house tomorrow and even winning semi final 2, and I can totally see a scenario where Ireland and Austria fail to qualify …..
Semi Final 2 is much harder to predict, since almost all the “contenders” were in the first one.
Well everybody has different opinions about these, personally I agree Portugal would’ve been a good addition to the final, we need more upbeat songs for saturday! So on the same note, I’m actually glad Iceland made it, I love these guys, they are fun and have that not-to-be-taken-seriously factor that is always present in Eurovision. Belgium was simply put, creepy. I love the song, but that lady in the back was unecessary, maybe without her people would’ve appreciated the song more. What almost made me cry however, was looking at Axel so nervous waiting to be called when they were… Read more »
I was really upset that Belgium did not qualify. It was a marvelous performance. Axel is very talanted. May be the taste of average public is too cheap to understand high quality music. Axel, you are one of the best!
@Leaf
The genre of her song is ballad though she’s dynamic live. Her ” half sleepy performance” was the job of her “international team” …
Suzy was kinda Latino, funny, shiny and sexy…was admirable but as we know it’s Eurovision:-)
I personally like Mei but nobody knows whether she will get to the final tomorrow…
I don’t agree with your four crimes. Opinions seem to differ as always 😉 1. Belgium – Probably the worst song yesterday. Actually the only song I really disliked. What was Belgium thinking sending this to ESC? 2.Iceland – A fun song for both children and adults with a sense of humour. Great message! 3. Portugal – I had this next to last. I didn’t dislike it as such and it could have been a contender…in 1985. 4. Moldova – Ok it may have been better than Azerbaijan. But only just. Cake To Bake should have made the finals! This… Read more »
Before the semi final, I really wanted Belgium to qualify. Axel’s voice is stunning and I love the emotion of the song, but last night, something just didn’t work for me. I don’t know whether he was a bit too nervous but, to me, his voice wasn’t as on point as normal. I also feel the same way about Hungary – I love the song and the message behind it, but András’s vocal performance last night was way below par, and I really wish Suzy qualified instead of him. I’m glad that Pollapönk qualified actually. While their song isn’t the… Read more »
@one cent
Taste is not something that I discussed, but we can all agree that Suzy had fun while Dilara looked half a sleep + dehydrated ……. Azerbaijan deserved a good placing in 2012 and that was about IT.
I think this should and could get lost in the final big time.
oh, thank you one more time:-))
i guess Azeri singer was singing her song not thinking of Portugal or Tenerife.
Oh, thanks:-)
Azerbaijan and Moldova have no problems.
Estonia was kinda bland to me, she sang alright, movements were on point but It just didn’t make the cut as a good song in my head. Moldova,Belgium and Latvia totally did not deserve to qualify AND I am very happy they didn’t. San Marino got to the final for the first time people, even tho I have to admit I couldn’t listen to the entire song on my iPod, yesterday I found it very pleasant and Valentina had one of the best vocal performances of the night. Albania was confusing to me, the whole stage presentation was not in… Read more »
I kinda disagree with everything said in this post – which has made me comment (which is weird as a long-time silent reader). I thought Axel – as much as his voice is aca-amazing, the song is kinda meh. It doesn’t really do anything for anyone, and is easily forgotten besides from the fact that he spent 3 minutes belting to Europe about him mother…Iceland i really like, but didn’t expect to get through. They’re fun and i’m all for a song about equality, and at the end of the night – it’s a fun song! They rocked the stage… Read more »
Estonia got robbed! How did San Marino even make it… over Estonia? Was in shock when the results came out.
San Marino finally making it after sending the same girl for the third time, they must be happy. Estonia was definitely a crime.
Agreed.
Portugal was a crime. A crime that they were even there.
That’s what I call a rigged national final: A CRIME. They paid the price last night.
I’m really sad that Portugal didn’t make it to the final. – Quero ser tua, Suzy!
Iceland deserved to go through rewatch it and listen to the audience they loved it.
Portugal should have advanced I think.
Compared to that pure cheese test from Russia makes me want to puke every time I listen to it.
I also think Azerbaijans performance and song is probably their worst since they debuted, it did not deserve to go through.
In relation to Iceland I think they could really surprise everyone and end up in top ten for sure
I reallt, really disagree. I have a heart and I love my mother, but I thought Belgium was attrocious. Pretentious and manipulative drivel belted out by a ridiculously over-dramatic singer. No thank you.
And I was pleasently suprised and delighted that Iceland got through. I thought they hade no chance, and their song and performance made me happy, and I’d rather be happy than watch awful singers and boring performances any day of the week.
Robyn: There was nothing to take the edge of the weirdness and wildness of the performance, and I think that might have alienated viewers.
I agree. But I liked the song better for that. It did feel like it was unconstrained and that made it stand out more for me.
Russia, Azerbaijan and San Marino should not have gone through.
Moldova, Estonia and Portugal should have.
In Belgium’s case, justice was made! I commented several times on the song, so I will not elaborate here, but the outcome was more than fair!
Russia ahould have been out, Estonia in! But I fully expected Russia to qualify (again, NOT based on merit)
First of all, congrats for the web (I’ve just discovered it 😮 I agree with some of u. Belgium was creepy. I don’t mind the deep feelings and devotion to mothers in the lyrics. I only saw an old fashioned penguin singing a la Caballé ( watch videos of this wonderful diva and compare her hands with Axel ones. Exactly the same 10 little sausages opening and closing to show the world how dramatic they are). And really, weight is not as important for a singer. But when the overweighted guy appears kneeling, sings to his mom and they say… Read more »
Portugal & Belgium is better than Iceland & Netherland…
Portugal robbed
Te Amo Portugal (Suzy) 🙁
David Thielen, I’d like to defend Iceland. I think that their message of “No Prejudice” probably won quite a few vital votes, and a good thing too.
I did some research (for what’s it worth) on youtube video likes. Checked the accounts of “Eurovision Song Contest” and “Eurovision House” and just counted all the 1st semifinal likes. It is, after all, about the likes (votes), not about the views of dislikes. This is the result: Armenia: 4209 Netherlands: 1968 Sweden: 1733 Russia:1645 Hungary: 1559 Ukraine: 1287 Montenegro: 964 Azerbaijan: 836 San Marino: 628 Iceland: 882 Portugal: 702 Latvia: 501 Estonia: 542 Albania: 316 Belgium: 250 Moldova: 191 The ten qualifiyers scored also the highest on youtube so I think the result reflect the overall opinion (however, individual… Read more »
Really glad Belgium didn’t qualify honestly. I’m happy for Valentina but I don’t think she should’ve with that song, don’t think Iceland should’ve qualified either. Albania, Moldova, and Estonia all deserved it more than those two song-wise.
oh please stop moaning wiwibloggs, they didn’t make it to the final it’s not criminal peoples taste are differen’t, this is music festival, song contest not a motherland where you can protect your children etc.
There is no song that makes me as uncomfortable as Belgiums. And I suspect most of the viewing public feel the same. The truth is it doesn’t resonate with people because most people don’t have the same dependent, clawing, obsessive relationship with their mothers. They certainly don’t regard their mothers as their soul mates. If I expressed those sentiments to my mother she’d slap me round the head and tell me to get a grip – so all this expectation that it would pull at the heartstrings of Europe was wide of the mark. It was creepy and uncomfortable. There… Read more »
Hersi got a tattoo for this contest for pete’s sake!! I was totally surprised that Albania and Estonia didn’t get through. But I think Iceland is a nice addition to the final. They have a very entertaining stage show that shakes things up a bit from singing standing in one spot. I’d rather ditch Russia and Armenia to bring in some better acts.
Agree with only Portugal. I think she would have added to the show and replace either Russia or San Marino. Also, I wish Latvia could have made it. I’m very glad that Iceland is in it.