Eurovision 2016 is almost upon us. Rehearsals begin in less than a week, at which point we’ll finally get to see each country’s staging plans. As always there’ll be majestic masterpieces and boiling hot messes. But for now, we’re judging each act solely on their official audio and promotional performances. Since 17 March, we’ve been asking y’all to vote for your favourite act in semi-final one. And thousands of you have answered our call, with a massive 37,119 votes already cast. The poll remains open until 9 May, but we’re going to take a sneaky peek at how the figures are stacking up since our last update.
Typically, Croatia are considered to be one of the weaker Balkan nations. But not this year. Nina Kraljic won The Voice and now you’re pegging her for victory in the first semi-final. “Lighthouse” went down a treat in both Amsterdam and London, and y’all clearly love it. It’s amassed 4,604 votes so far or 12.4% of all votes cast. Could the famous glass microphone be joining the Porin (not porn!) Award on her mantle?
Nina Kraljic “Lighthouse”
Ira Losco might sing “Walk On Water”, but she’s been clocking up the air miles in her bid for Eurovision glory. She’s visited Riga, Moscow, Amsterdam, Yerevan and London, while also playing host to a slew of stars in Malta. The legwork is paying off, as she currently occupies second place with 4,212 votes or 11.35% of all votes cast.
Ira Losco “Walk On Water”
Russia has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, but Sergey Lazarev appears to be rising above it all. He remains a favourite with the bookies, and they aren’t the only ones getting excited. “You Are The Only One” has collected 3,966 votes or 10.68% of all votes cast.
Sergey Lazarev “You Are The Only One”
Armenia’s Iveta Mukuchyan has been busy delivering sartorial realness from Yerevan to New York. But beneath the beauty there’s a stunning voice, as she demonstrated in Moscow. “LoveWave” sits in fourth spot, receiving 3,516 votes or 9.47% of all votes cast.
Iveta Mukuchyan “LoveWave”
Bosnia & Herzegovina round out the top five. Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner and Jala have overcome behind-the-scenes drama to bring their fusion of traditional and Balkan sounds to the Eurovision audience. The foursome are sweeping up support from all over Europe, with 3,037 votes going the way of “Ljubav Je”.
Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner and Jala “Ljubav Je”
Based on the current rankings, Iceland, Hungary, Austria, Cyprus and Azerbaijan will take the remaining five spots in the final. At the other end of the poll, Montenegro’s Highway sit in last place. “The Real Thing” has received just 188 votes or 0.5% of all votes cast.
Of course, all this is subject to change. The poll remains open until 9 May. So if you haven’t done so already, vote now!
Click to vote in our semi-final one poll.
Who should win the first semi-final of Eurovision 2016? Poll update #2
Results as of 00:00 CET on 26 April.
Who should win the first semi-final of Eurovision 2016?
- Croatia: Nina Kraljic “Lighthouse” 12.4% (4,604 votes)
- Malta: Ira Losco “Walk On Water” 11.35% (4,212 votes)
- Russia: Sergey Lazarev “You Are The Only One” 10.68% (3,966 votes)
- Armenia: Iveta Mukuchyan “LoveWave” 9.47% (3,516 votes)
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner and Jala “Ljubav Je” 8.18% (3,037 votes)
- Iceland: Greta Salóme “Hear Them Calling” 6.98% (2,591 votes)
- Hungary: Freddie “Pioneer” 5.97% (2,215 votes)
- Austria: Zoë “Loin d’ici” 5.52% (2,050 votes)
- Cyprus: Minus One “Alter Ego” 5.04% (1,869 votes)
- Azerbaijan: Samra “Miracle” 4.79% (1,777 votes)
- Czech Republic: Gabriela Guncíková “I Stand” 4.69% (1,740 votes)
- Estonia: Jüri Pootsmann “Play” 4.59% (1,703 votes)
- Netherlands: Douwe Bob “Slow Down” 3.82% (1,417 votes)
- Greece: Argo “Utopian Land” 2.09% (774 votes)
- Finland: Sandhja “Sing It Away” 1.93% (717 votes)
- Moldova: Lidia Isac “Falling Stars” 1.21% (450 votes)
- San Marino: Serhat “I Didn’t Know” 0.79% (293 votes)
- Montenegro: Highway “The Real Thing” 0.5% (188 votes)
Total Votes: 37,119
i just leave it here https://youtu.be/S6GdMwvIlXs?t=7m20s
malta 12 points
@GlennSimons
It’s funny how you never mentioned that you have a good song when talking about your qualification.
If Gabriela is amazing on stage, the jury will support her, as will the televote. Yes her draw sucks but I hope she can come back from it
I wish there was a way of taking 14 of these Semi Final 1 entries through, and then only picking 6 from the second semi. Looks like we’re gonna lose 4 good entries from this semi whatever happens. 🙁
I would love Czech Republic to qualify, but Gabriela has to follow Sergey, which is a nightmare draw and I think she will suffer. Estonia might lose out for being a bit “forgettable,” and Moldova has the draw of death. The big surprise loser (11th in the semi) might be either Hungary or Austria this year – shocking I know.
Haters gonna hate, hate, hate…
But, as long as you can’t do NOTHING to make us not advance to the final (yup, we have just enough neighbours, diaspora and friendly nations to help us on this), I just don’t care.
I would recommend you not to involve such an emotions on hopping that we will not be in the final. It will just make you evan more sad, on the 10th of may. 🙂
Greetings from BiH 🙂
My semi final 1 top 10:
1. Iceland
2. Croatia
3. Hungary
4. Malta
5. Russia
6. Azerbaijan
7. Cyprus
8. Armenia
9. Czech Republic
10. Finland
@EugeneESCUK: At least it’s a relief that winning a semi final still does not mean winning the whole thing … Sergey isn’t and will never be a Loreen … and thank God for that.
Thunder and Lightning If Moldova sent me I would NOT be EXCITING.
@Charles
yeah i agree with you
@Eugene
seriously, both Molly and Ira will just slay in semi final 1, that song is perfection now Ira can perfectly hit the lower notes and Molly can hit that high note 🙂
I still think it would make more sense to launch a new poll as opinions can change, especially after seeing some live performances. 🙂
Strangely, although this is the much stronger semi-final, only two acts are currently in my top 10, namely Estonia (#9) and Russia (#10).
So 3 top favourites but the only thing worth quoting is this nonsense: “Thunder and lightning, it’s getting exciting”? Seriously?
At least the biggest ego of this year’s Eurovision is no longer on top … well done both Croatia and Malta … but I hope CR goes to the final instead of messy Bosnia.
In my opinion Sergey is the best in this year:) Croatia is good but wouldn`t be winner.
@georgekirkas
thank you, you are so kind to me 🙂
@Nicky91
Good for you! I agree, I think that ”Falling Stars” is one of the catchiest songs this year along with ”Walk On Water”!
@georgekirkas
well Austria’s song is too sweet for me, not my cup of tea
and yeah Moldova, Lidia is very talented and the song is very catchy 🙂
but my top 10 will get some haters of course, but i’ll take your advice and ignore the haters 🙂
@Nicky91
It looks like you don’t like Austria’s song at all! Also, thank you for having Moldova in your top 10! I’m starting to think that I’m the only person on Earth who loves this song!
Czechia really deserves it. I hope it qualifies!
@georgekirkas
and Bosnian’s can’t vote for themselves in the semi final, like all other countries can’t vote for themselves 🙂
for me my personal qualifiers:
1. Croatia
2. Malta
3. Armenia
4. Czech Republic
5. Hungary
6. Greece
7. Estonia
8. Cyprus
9. Iceland
10. Moldova
——————————-
11. Azerbaijan
12. Netherlands
13. San Marino
14. Russia
15. Bosnia&Herzegovina
16. Montenegro
17. Finland
18. Austria
@Nicky91
I agree! Also, I think that Czech Republic is actually 10th. Bosnia and Herzegovina is 5th just because Bosnian fans are voting like crazy! (The same happens with Ireland)
@Tom
i also agree that Czech Republic have a better song than Bosnia, maybe B&H have more ethnic culture in their song, but Gabriela is a way better singer and deserves to qualify 🙂
@MirkoJoshua
no i can’t believe that either, Czechs below Bosnia&Herzegovina, otherwise a good ranking 🙂
Czech Republic 11th?… I doubt it
To qualify: Malta, Iceland, Croatia, Armenia, Hungary, Czech Republic! Then obviously Russia, Azerbaijan and Cyprus will qualify too. After that I can see Austria, Estonia or Bosnia slipping through…
Czech Rep should qualify over BiH. That song is just not good.
@georgekirkas
me too, and the fact that there will be 4 live backing singers and a dancer with her gives me confidence as well, i’m excited what the staging will look like 🙂
and Nina is a good singer as well, i hope she’s gonna wear that black dress, i love a little goth look 🙂
For a change poll is pretty accurate actually
@Nicky91
I agree with you, I’m very happy that Croatia and Malta are on the top of this poll! By the way, I can’t stop listening to ”Walk On Water”! It’s so catchy!
I can agree with this poll, Croatia and Malta yeah 🙂 🙂
but i also hope Czech Republic and Armenia will qualify as well
I am happy with the results, but Moldova is once again criminally underrated!
Go Croatia!!<33
Nina <3
# Malta # wow. Malta 2017
My Semi-Final 1 Winners are :
10.Czech Republic
9.Azerbaijan
8.Bosnia&Herzegovina
7.Austria
6.Russia
5.Croatia
4.Hungary
3.Malta
2.Armenia
1.Iceland
GOOO GRETA! Greetings from Poland 😛
Too tough to predict the top 10 of this semi. However, I think Czechia will qualify. She is amazing live.
What happened to Sergey???
Estonia, Netherlands and Greece are in
I hope Russia and Iceland not going to the final
Semi 1
1. Russia
2. Croatia
3. Cyprus
4. Austria
5. Azerbaijan
6. Hungary
7. Armenia
8. Czech Republic
9. Iceland
10. The Netherlands
Semi Final 1
1. Armenia
2. Russia
3. Cyprus
4. Croatia
5. Azerbaijan
6. Estonia
7. Hungary
8. The Netherlands
9. Malta
10. Finland
I totally agree with Skandar. The same happened last year with Ireland in the second semi-final.
The thing is, this is a likely Top 10, but I’ll be sad to not see Estonia and Czech Republic not advancing 🙁
Lol Azerbaijan will be the winner of this semi final. I am confident
The result is almost perfect. Maybe some bosnian fans hijacked the poll as usual. I hope Czechia or Estonia will be qualifiers.