Czech Republic’s Gabriela slayed in a reflective silk gown. Bosnia and Herzegovina performed around a wall of barbed wire. And Estonia played their cards right and served up some casino realness. And that was just three of nine countries that had their first rehearsals of day two at Eurovision 2016. But who amongst today’s acts — Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Iceland, Malta, Montenegro and Sweden — won the press centre and the fans over most?
You can watch our reviews of today’s first rehearsals below. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many countries as you like, but you can only vote one time, so make it count. Be sure to click the box next to each act you want to support before pressing submit.
GABRIELA GUNCIKOVA IS NUMBER 1
Her rock style is absolutely HUGE !!!!!!! I love her POWER!
Check: youtube.com/watch?v=8pt4p8BVoYg
1. Cyprus
2. Austria
3. Iceland
4. Malta
5. Estonia
6. Czech Republic
7. Montenegro
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Azerbaijan
Poor Samra, I hope she recoveres
Apart from Samra, Zoe was my favourite today. But before I didn’t want her to make the final. I hate Montenegro’s song but the staging was good. Apart from the crazy woman. Other than them Estonia, Czech Republic and Sweden were very great. The most disappointing staging was either Malta or Iceland. I love it but it needs to be prefected
well the best vocal performance was from Ira Losco, we can speculate all we want on her dress, she looked really comfortable in it
@power.b
yeah, don’t forget to give her a vote on the night as well 🙂
anyway I hope Sergey has a better second rehearsal without nearly falling 🙂
best of luck to our favourites
I wouldn’t mind Prague or Yerevan 2017))
Why everyone always wants a “big show”. I prefer simple performances, with no crazy projections, just a singer and a song. (and instruments, if the song has real instruments)
Czech Republic and Estonia were good, but it didn’t surprised me. Bosnia & Herzegovina, on the other hand, surprised me and I liked their rehearsal. And of course Sweden, I just love his pronounction.
1- Cyprus!!!! <3 <3 <3
+ Improved from what I expected
– Disappointed
Armenia + +
Austria +
Azerbaijan –
Bosnia & Herzegovina – –
Croatia –
Cyprus – –
Czech Republic + +
Estonia +
Finland
Greece +
Hungary
Iceland –
Malta – – –
Moldova –
Montenegro +
Russia
San Marino
The Netherlands + +
I’m so happy so many people like Gabriela! She was the best. I don’t understand why Cyprus is so low, i thought they were pretty good.
Azerbaijan…oh my. Her vocals were horrible. 🙁
Prediction for I semi
1.Russia
2.Croatia Nina will be on I place with juries
3.Armenia
4.Netherlands
5.Greece
6.Cyprus
7.Azerbaijan
8.Malta
9.Hungary
10.Austria
Before rehearsals:
1-Hungary
2-Malta
3-Iceland
4-Russia
5-Estonia
6-Cyprus
7-Armenia
8-Czech Republic
—
9-Azerbaijan
10-The Netherlands
11-Austria
12-Croatia
13-Finland
14-Bosnia & Herzegovina
15-Greece
16-Moldova
17-San Marino
18-Montenegro
After rehearsals:
1-Armenia
2-Estonia
3-Czech Republic
4-Austria
5-Russia
6-The Netherlands
7-Hungary
8-Iceland
—
9-Malta
10-Croatia
11-Cyprus
12-Greece
13-Finland
14-Azerbaijan
15-Montenegro
16-Bosnia & Herzegovina
17-Moldova
18-San Marino
Gabriela was stunning for Czech Republic right at the start of the day. Nothing else could match that really. Add to that, some others had a really bad day (sorry Azerbaijan and Iceland) and need to do better or even have a complete re-think. As an afterthought, Frans’ move onto the podium is an interesting change; not sure if that’s good or bad yet.
I too am looking forward to tomorrow. 🙂
Just Imagine:
10 May 2016
Petra Mede says:Finalist number one is ………….. San Marino!
Just Waiting for the Macedonian preformance, Hopefully smilar staging from 2012!
The Czech Republic, Montenegro, and Malta–wow. Solid rehearsals.
Azerbaijan, Austria, and Sweden weren’t creative at all but were inoffensive at the same time
Salome didn’t change her performance at all since Songvakeppnin, which pisses me off a little bit.
Estonia, Cyprus, and Bosnia came across as tacky.
If it were up to me, I’d take Armenia, Russia, The Czech Republic, Greece, Malta, The Netherlands, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Austria and Finland to the final given the staging.
At this stage there’s only four countries left who can win. France, Sweden, Russia and Australia. It will be one of those. It will be interesting to see Australia tomorrow and most of all France on friday!!
MTD- I date say yr wrong in the fact that only swedes defend the song…I’ve been reading mass loads of commentary and it’s a whole lot of positive about and again… We’re all talking about it. So some sort of marketing strategy is working here because scroll through and low and behold sweden this sweden that…so it’s that whole love/hate relationship and it’s simplicity gets discussed. I think this might not be the full thing, and I don’t think that’s his ‘costume’ either, I think this first rehearsal was more descaled than what we’re gonna see not that we’re gonna… Read more »
My top 10 for this semi:
1 Czech Republic <3
2 Armenia
3 Netherlands
4 Malta
5 Iceland
6 Hungary
7 Rusia
8 Croatia
9 Austria
10 Cyprus
Thanks @MTD I will check that out 🙂
@silvester
Me too, tomorrow will be more interesting with Hovi Star from Israel
Well I’m surprised to say that no one really stood out so much for me today, but being compared to one another from the short video footages: – Czech Republic had a good staging but also a bit indifferent; I was not blown away. – Austria was ok but I don’t think it is anything to cheer for; – Cyprus was a bit of a let down – Montenegro was ok but it has no chance – Iceland is good if you see it for the first time but it could’ve been better compared to the Icelandic final – Malta… Read more »
Although it is not enough to form any opinion from these snippets – I don’t find really interesting any of them.
@MTD Yes i know what u mean…they positive they have a winner song..
France will not win…not special song at all
Looking forward tomorrow to watch : only : Hovi star and sanja from serbia………… Good luck bitches:)
@Darren – Sweden rehearsed today because Frans is on home soil. And they found a good scheduling hole. As for France and the others, they will rehearse on Friday and Saturday. I think. On eurovision.tv there’s the official rehearsing schedule.
If you go on the official Eurovision YouTube channel and if you play the Swedish song, prepare for a sh1tstorm of comments. Hahaha… Only the Swedish people defend that song and artist, while nearly everyone else states that the song, the artist and the presentation are not good. The usual comments from the Swedish people are that “this is a new music”, “his act is simple and that’s why it is fresh and current”…and I am sitting here saying that the song is copy-paste from another song, it’s staging is nowhere near fresh and current and he clearly cannot clearly… Read more »
Looking forward to seeing Bulgaria, Latvia, Ireland, and Australia tomorrow ..these should be interesting. Anybody know why France didn’t rehearse? They are voting/performing in Semi final 1 aren’t they?
Malta will surely surprise us next Friday! … I think that there is something hidden …
The majority agree that there should be changes, but this was the first rehearsal.
Good luck tomorrow to the amazing hovi star!
In general, following all these posts and all these comments everywhere, it seems that Semi 1, from “the strongest” went to being pretty mediocre.
Lets see what will happen with Semi 2. There aren’t spectacular shows expected, so when one don’t expect much can be surprised. 🙂
I think some vote for the song and not for the today rehearsals.
Many disappointments today.
I liked Bosnia the most, followed by Austria and Czechia.
So for me this is the qualifiers
Armenia
Russia
Czech Republic
The Netherlands
Malta
Estonia
Greece
Cyprus
Iceland
Croatia or Bosnia
For me Azerbaijan is so weak.And there are better live vocalists like Finland .Si I hope they won’t be in the final
These must qualify from SF1:
Czech Republic
Greece
Russia
Iceland
Estonia
Hungary
Croatia
Malta
Cyprus
Moldova
Zoe mesmerized the “STARnacht aus dem Burgenland” last Saturday, presented on German TV by Barbara Schöneberger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAZgomwrupY
🙂
Sorry wiwibloggss! Ididnt notice before your article about Frans
Malta and Cyprus had the worst live vocals today, and i am very happy to see my favorite (Czech Republic) do so well. My PREDICTION: 1. Russia- T: 1 J: 2 2. Armenia- T: 2 J : 1 3. Azerbaijan- T: 3 J: 6 4. The Netherlands- T: 5 J: 3 5. Czech Republic- T: 7 J: 4 6. Iceland T: 6 J: 5 7. Malta- T: 4 J: 9 8. Estonia T: 9 J: 7 9. Hungary T: 11 J: 8 10. Croatia- T: 8 J: 12 ____________________________________________ 11. Bosnia and Herzegovina- T: 12 J: 10 12. Greece- T:… Read more »
Hi Bellla! Wiwibloggs have published a article about Frans now 🙂 Sweden has high hopes but we are also very humble. But we know theres a big chance for him to take it 🙂
I was pleasantly surprised with Czech Republic, Iceland, and Malta. Czech Republic now is like how Armenia was yesterday xD stunning. Iceland remains my favourite still. The screen was a bit wobbly today, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed before next week. Azerbaijan disappointed me greatly. They’ll be moving down my rankings.
Hi Loo!! People continue to hate Frans.Wiwibloggs dont write an article about him , so sad.Did someone in svt or in generally people think that he will lift the trophy?
I am sorry, but to me Iceland is creepy and weird and just freaky and I dont get it.
I cant see what is worth qualifying in it.
otherwise, dunno. I like Chech(ia?) and Armenia out of all for now.
Oh Croatia with her tent is reall weird too. and her voice is a little screechy
Frans is a very humble person.
Frans was the best and it will be a magic moment with the audience next saturday! Well Done Frans!
He wasn’t at his best today, but he will absolutely smash it live.
Frans are best.
Before show: 1. Russia 10/10 2. Azerbaijan 9.5/10 3. Malta 9/10 4. Iceland 8.5/10 5. Croatia 8.5/10 6. Armenia 8.5/10 7. Cyprus 8.5/10 8. Finland 7/10 9. Estonia 7/10 10. Hungary 6/10 11. Moldova 5/10 12. Czech Republic 5/10 13. Bosnia 4/10 14. Austria 3.5/10 15. Greece 3/10 16. Netherlands 2.5/10 17. San Marino 1.5/10 18. Montenegro 1/10 After 1st rehearsals: 1. Armenia 9.5/10 2. Russia 8.5/10 3. Iceland 8.5/10 4. Malta 8.5/10 5. Estonia 8.5/10 6. Czech Republic 8.5/10 7. Hungary 8.5/10 8. Cyprus 8/10 9. Croatia 7.5/10 10. Moldova 7.5/10 11. Azerbaijan 7/10 12. Netherlands 6.5/10 13. Finland… Read more »
Soo in the end this is how Semifinal 1 will look like:
1. Russia ( Because of the extrem high televoting votes)
2. Armenia ( High televoting points)
3. Hungary
4. Iceland
5. Czesh Republic
6. The Netherlands
7. Malta
8. Croatia
9. Cyprus
10. Bosnia and Herzegovina (possible estonia, there can be differents between cyprus, bosnia, estonia)
_______________________
11. Estonia
12. Austira
13. Greece
14. Azerbaijan
15. Moldova
16. Montenegro
17. Finland
18. San Marino
@Where is ukraine She is in her hotel or somewhere else. You know nothing…
Darren, Azerbaijan only made it last year to the finals thanks to juries, in particular to the Czech jury, which committed suicide on Czechia, which would have passed otherwise to the final.
So, inspite of the 100% record, Azerbaijan is prone to failure.
Lots of them were good. I voted for: Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Malta and Montenegro (the song has grown on me and I think that the rehearsal was good). Estonia’s rehearsal was easily the worst, it turned a serious song into a gimmick. Sweden’s one was nothing interesting. Iceland’s didn’t look good with this LED screen and Cyprus needs to get rid of the cages.