Eurovision 2017 second rehearsal day five

Following their first rehearsals earlier this week, the Eurovision 2017 contestants had time to refine and reboot their performances. Today saw the start of the second rehearsals and we finally had the chance to see precisely what tweaks they made — across vocals, LED, choreography and more. We were in the arena to film the likes of Blanche in her city lights, Cyprus’ Hovig walking a tightrope and Slavko Kalezic serving that hair braid realness for Montenegro.

But which of the fifteen countries who performed today was your favourite?

You can watch all of our footage, alongside our reviews of today’s second rehearsals, in the playlist below. Below that, you can also find our “winners and losers” of the day video. 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.

Reviews and footage: Second Rehearsals (May 4)

Day Five: Our Winners, Losers and Growers

Poll: Who had the best rehearsal on May 4?

[polldaddy poll=9739085]

Vote in all of our Eurovision 2017 Polls

144 Comments
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Pekka
Pekka
6 years ago

The winning top: Poland, Finland, Azerbaijan

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

When are the Portugis singer coming to Kiev. If it was a nother land, they have never acceot this. Portugal shoukd stay home

Andre
Andre
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

You say this as if Portugal is receiving special treatment from EBU, however this is actually a major disadvantage for the Portuguese selection.

Eddie
6 years ago

Guys, stop bashing. The truth is that real talent is not appreciated among many. People are biased, they always take sides, they also forget to respect the difference of opinions. Eurovision is a strange thing, very politically driven (even if they deny it). Mr Sand seems to have lost the vision to change this contest into something more than just its annual campness and mediocre showcase. It is what it is, no surprise they still excuse quality with block votes, diaspora, you name it. At the same time, we have seen lame and cheap acts as winners and it’s very… Read more »

GABA
GABA
6 years ago

Hey can you be a bit fairer and at least tag Albania ?? at the subtitles since it is also a participant in the first semi and it also had her second rehersal! I mean as if it weren’t enough that you have completely shadowed Lindita with the Date on the title pic and you barely mentioned anything ab her in the reviews! Thanx 😉

Shanfa Chai
Shanfa Chai
6 years ago

It’s ridiculous that a YouTube user claims that Samra’s performance last year was way better than Dihaj’s. Even saying that Dihaj won’t qualify.

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago
Reply to  Shanfa Chai

Omg!!!!! Who would say that! 🙁

Mike
Mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Shanfa Chai

They are armenian,Azerbaijan will be top 5 in the grand final,Dihaj’s live performance really amazing,it will qualify 100%

Hazar
Hazar
6 years ago

Azerbaijan and Finland

Artem98
Artem98
6 years ago

Please stop talking about the diasporas. I’m Polish, I live in the Netherlands and I do not vote for Poland if it does not deserve it. I vote for the best song (in my opinion). It is impossible for the Polish diaspora to win the vote in Austria, Belgium (like year ago) and in other countries. There are not so many Poles.

JK
JK
6 years ago
Reply to  Artem98

I agree, the Polish diaspora is only big in UK, Germany and maybe France, but not that much. There are not as many Poles in other countries as you all think. Poland didn’t qualify in 2005-2011, where were the Polish people then? And where were they in 2015? Only in 2014 and 2016 Poland ended high (and of course in 1994). So maybe people liked it.

Stoffel
Stoffel
6 years ago

Don’t understand me wrong. I love the Portuguese song, and the singer this year. And I actually believe they make a big chance of winning the entire contest, BUT… I don’t understand why it’s high in the lists of rehearsals… considering the main artist was not even there. Even for the first rehearsal they got good points from press, while some got “0”. Easy if you are being replaced by another singer. Again… I understand the reason for Portuguese singer to be away for health reasons, but then don’t put Portugal in these rankings. For the rest… looking forward to… Read more »

LO
LO
6 years ago
Reply to  Stoffel

Se valora la escenografía , no sólo el cantante que interpreta y Luísa está haciendo una “imitación” de Salvador, por eso está alta en las votaciones y encuestas.

LO
LO
6 years ago
Reply to  Stoffel

POLONIA y su diáspora, que raro..que pesados sois!!!

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago

My prediction for top five qualifiers is (semifinal 1)
1st Armenia
2nd Azerbaijan
3rd Finland
4th Belgium
5th Sweden/Greece
I think that it will be a close battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan for 1st place in this semi, but I think that Armenia will win (only by a small margin)

L'oiseau
6 years ago

I am not doing any full predictions just yet. Still too soon for me. From the rehearsal Finland, Poland and Azerbaijan stood out. I thought the first two would not qualify, but now I do. Azerbaijan will qualify with 1000% certainty. I am still afraid about Portugal, though. Is it really going to work?…

eurovisionistas INFE
6 years ago

GREECE A M A Z I N G ! Welcome to Athens 2018

I????? ???????????
6 years ago

?ravo DEMY, bravo FOKAS. GO GO GREECE

Stan
Stan
6 years ago

Poland and Finland are so boring. I don’t understand the love 🙂

Is Sweden forgettable? Noone talks about it anymore.

Arc
Arc
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

I think Sweden is actually a bit boring and I’ve been surprised how consistently it has been in the top 3 in betting odds etc. I guess it’s the Sweden effect. It’s a very slick and well produced song but it’s not really fresh or interesting. The staging itself is pretty cool but I find the performance kind of cheesy. At this point people expect it to do well because it’s Sweden. I don’t know if this will affect their votes (people won’t vote because “they’ll get through anyway”) but I think it might. It’s still a definite qualifier for… Read more »

Milla
Milla
6 years ago
Reply to  Arc

I think people are not that interested in Sweden because the staging have been known for months. And other countries have come up with something interesting. Like Azerbaijan. People forgot about Sweden last year too. But look what happend. Never underestimate us.? However.. I agree that we might fall out of the top 5 this year. The song itself is not good enough. Way too shallow!

Arc
Arc
6 years ago
Reply to  Milla

I’m sure that’s also true. Definitely not trying to underestimate Sweden, you guys are basically what everyone else is trying to live up to in the ESC! This may not be my favorite entry from Sweden but that’s mostly because you’ve raised the bar so high.

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago
Reply to  Arc

@Milla, @Arc I find it very boring and inappropriate and I think it will qualify but not top five, I agree with both of you

Stan
Stan
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

I agree with you too… On Eurovision it needs to work on the first view and the Swedish performance probably will. This is a fan site, so we have seen it all before… It’s one of the performances that just disappears, a bit like Australia too…

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Thank you Stan for supporting our opinions, you are greatly thanked! 🙂 I hope you have a great day!

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

I might be alone but I find Aus LED as an improving point – they created image that will look cool with any camera angles. Good promo for such young singer. The only worrying thing is the song full of challenge, he has to nail it.
Belgium is still questionable to me, but her song cannot fail to qualify.
Such a big difference wthin 17yo circle, but what a promising young people, I’m fascinated.

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago
Reply to  Zebb

Your not the only one who thinks this will look good . Besides it’s only rehearsals. Same time last year Dami had problems eg- getting off the box so it interrupted/paused her singing & missing the cues and camera angles etc. People questioned the purpose of the box as well. It didn’t look good in reheasals but all came together in the final. I’ve been to Isaiah’s live concert and he has one hell of a voice. He is just holding back and expermenting. I wouldn’t rule him out yet cause he is gonna surprise us. Grand final and into… Read more »

tia
tia
6 years ago

Each time somebody has a good voice, people say : ”it will do well with the jury”
There were cases when good voices were buried by the jury
-Il Volo 2015
-Cesar 2013
I don’t remember now other names, but is risky to put your fate in the jury just because the singer has a good voice.

Jamie
Jamie
6 years ago
Reply to  tia

Incredible vocals worked in favour of Jamala and Dami last year. It was the whole package but what captivated us (especially the jury) was their commanding vocal performance.

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

Dami Im already had an incredible song. And her vocal performance made it even more amazing. Best Act in Eurovision so far (at least to me)

Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
6 years ago

GOOO CYPRUS!!! ???? GO HOVIG! What a VOICE ! ?? (& no backing vocalists) Cyprus is just as good if not better than Sweden, both are great & equivalent ?? A strong contender

Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
6 years ago

@WIWI MY COMMENT HAS BEEN HACKED BY ANOTHER ACCOUNT, PLS LOOK INTO IT & advise me of outcome please. My comment was changed from;

GOOO CYPRUS!!! ???? GO HOVIG! What a VOICE ! ?? (& no backup vocalists) Cyprus is just as good if not better than Sweden, both are great & equivalent ??

Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
6 years ago

@ WIWI, not working still showing hacked comment?
GOSH there’s some real loserrrrs out there that can’t handle the truth lmao

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
6 years ago

this is like purely staging, nothing to do with personal preferences and also this is like an essay but keep the faith 01 Iceland Okay say what you want but I listen to a lot of songs like Paper outside of Eurovision and the staging is totally on point with the music… really not getting the hate. The laser fan is stunning, the geometric shapes in the back have me seeing all the edges of an Icelandic glacier, she’s got that IKEA 2018 A/W couture dress, the moves have me thinking 80s business woman meets Alicia Keys, it’s a Nordic… Read more »

BlancheQueen
BlancheQueen
6 years ago

@Hannah get a dog a have a walk in the parks

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago

Belgium should qualify. Her timed arm movements are so good now. She will get many votes for it. The dress does not match the song. Her white dress is for Zoë 2016. For dark electro she must wear a slinky black outfit to fit her tight body and enhance the long long legs hun-neeeeee

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  Grete Paia

I think the dress should be white because a) her stage name means ‘white’ and b) it represents lights.
For what I propose is that the skirt of the dress should be knee length and she should wear either glittery silver high heels or a black converse shoes. Also maybe a flower crown with white and silver flowers and leaves.

Hannah
Hannah
6 years ago

That exclusive preview of Blanche’s performance on the eurovision channel is so bad that I think her chances of qualifying very slim. There is nothing to do to elevate this performance because she can’t sing. Other contestants have boring or unusual staging but at least their vocals and charisma pulls them through. Blanche maybe a nice girl but she is far from ready to be a an artist or performer on the eurovision/world stage.

Grete Paia
Grete Paia
6 years ago
Reply to  Hannah

Stop hating on Blanche. Your full of evil and vile. Sad

asd
asd
6 years ago
Reply to  Grete Paia

There are better singers and performers and this is a competition. Belgium should not qualify to the final, deal with it.

Kane
Kane
6 years ago

With Isaiah’s performance, I think they should use other pictures in addition to his own face. Reduce the amount of his photos on the backdrop and change it with other things. They still have time to change the backdrop and choose the correct angles. There is no doubt the guy can sing but the only let down is the backdrop.

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago

Greece had some serious technical problems. They did again a “sound check” after the rehearsals.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Blanche is still in the danger zone to me, but at least not alone now since Isaiah is there as well.

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

Finland and Poland were the best for me.

Debailor
Debailor
6 years ago

Belgium reminds me of Croatia last year. It was my favourite as a song, uniqe voice but it wasn’t working on a stage. And it’s interesting that they are both going 5th in the first semi. So maybe that means Belgium will also go to the final?

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Debailor

I bet. Speaking of improving, let’s compare Blanche to Meena from “Sing”, an animated film from 2016 produced by Universal. At first, Meena had stage fright. Later, she overcame her fear and sang a powerful rendition of “Don’t You Worry About a Thing”, originally by Stevie Wonder. Thus, I have 100% hope Blanche’s fears will also overcome next Tuesday. 😉

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago
Reply to  Debailor

As far as I remember Croatia actually delivered a nice performance?

Hi
Hi
6 years ago

Hate Portugal

No Name
No Name
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

Your comments on this website are always about the same thing. I hate Portugal. Stop embarrassing yourself, you’re being ridiculous.

Grande Amore
Grande Amore
6 years ago
Reply to  Hi

Lmao as if your stupidity will change people’s mind about that masterpiece. Get a life Portugal hater.

Jr Jason
Jr Jason
6 years ago

Portugal, Finland and Azerbaijan have quality entries this year. Love all 3 of them. They have my votes. 🙂

Racal
Racal
6 years ago

Ok, I’ve had some serious doubts about Belgium (one of my favourite songs this year) after the 1st rehearsal, but she has gotten much better. After all, this is what rehearsals are for.

She’s back at the top of my ranking for this semi, along with Portugal an Finland. I also like Australia and Moldova. As long as these 5 qualify, I’m fine!

Radomir
Radomir
6 years ago

Azerbaijan was the best I think. The blackboard box and the image of the man in the ladder with the horse head are powerful visuals, bringing to mind some edgy experimental theater production. Backing vocalists are very good, sometimes better than her. I also love the song. Baku 2018? Possible!
Finland is also good. Brilliant staging, love the camera angles and her voice sounds as good as in the official video! They are aiming for a Top 10 finish it seems.
Czech Republic, Georgia, Poland were nice as well.

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago
Reply to  Radomir

Yes Baku2018 is very possible!

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I want to share with you my excitement about tomorrow!

We are going to have the 1st rehearsal of the big 5 + Ukraine! At last!
I was looking forward to that!

I am not happy I’ll have to wait for France as it’s the last to rehearse early in the evening!

Namaste! Ale!

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

I really don’t get the fascination with Azerbaijan this year. It looks cheap to me. I don’t get the whole the man with the head of the horse and the Home Depot ladder.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
6 years ago

Oh my goodness…Sweden was so off key!

Voted for Finland based on rehearsals alone.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

Without a doubt, Finland had the best rehearsal and best reviews.

So…

Finland, Azerbaijan (art!!), Greece, Sweden, Moldova (kitsch but it works), Czech Republic (underrated!), Portugal (waiting for Salvador though) and Georgia.

Belgium is disappointing but it is NOT that awful. Montenegro is the definition of cringeworthy, kitsch and extremely bad live.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I think my biggest growers are Belgium and Cyprus! They are the two most improved performances today!

Blanche’s performance has significantly improved!
Also, Cyprus was way better than in the 1st relearsal! Hovig sounds really good live and the whole performance seems to get together! However, he needs to master the choreography!

My winner is Azerbaijan! This performance was AMAZING! Hopefully we were able to watch all 3min and how the peformance progressed! Dijah slays!

On the other hand, I was dissapointed from Australia! It’s a good song, Isaiah is a great performer but the whole thing seems bland!

slow down brother
slow down brother
6 years ago

If Azerbaijan won’t make it to the Top 3, I am so done with Eurovision then. That performance is just PURE ART!!

slow down brother
slow down brother
6 years ago

Finland, Czech Republic and Portugal were also nice out of this bunch.

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago

Same I would too! Baku2018!!!!

il pleut
il pleut
6 years ago

Omg, I truly totally felt flattered by your comments on behalf of my country, guys. Thank you so much, for nice thoughts. But I hope this year Italy will win. You know will held the contest recently.

Pluma
Pluma
6 years ago

Defo Greece, Azerbaitjan, Finland and Poland

Arc
Arc
6 years ago

Finland, Portugal and Azerbaijan are my top 3. But I think it was a very good rehearsal from most of the acts today and the overall quality is high. It really is a guessing game with qualifiers this year. I think there are over 10 acts in this semi that could quite easily go either way.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

I’m so happy for Finland. I think they will win this SF.

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago

Second Rehearsal Power Rankings (Three acts still to perform) [Rk after first rehearsal] 1 [1] Sweden Thanks to the big LED screen the graphics look even been than on Melodifestivalen. The number of dance moves that can become classic if he wins is through the roof. The weakness remains the song and the singing. But those will only matter in the final. Chance of qualifying: 100% 2 [3] Azerbaijan The beginning makes me wonder if she will have some crazy makeup. It is probably a guarantee at this point. In that case this will be a dangerous contender in the… Read more »

peter hardy
peter hardy
6 years ago
Reply to  Lukewarm

you need a job in the EBU!

peter hardy
peter hardy
6 years ago
Reply to  Lukewarm

finland will not qualify they have no friends to vote for them in europe
thats how it works

Anabela SakamTe
Anabela SakamTe
6 years ago
Reply to  peter hardy

peter hardy That has nothing to do with all this. Finland qualified many times before and they won Eurovision once. It’s all about song/staging/vocals and overall show. Bloc voting is just small part of the show.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  peter hardy

Sweden, Latvia and Iceland are in this semi-final. They usually give something to Finland. And there’s the jury, it’s very helpful for songs like Blackbird.

Pekka
Pekka
6 years ago
Reply to  peter hardy

Finland is the best quality performance this year and will have many friends in SF 1 this year, wait and see. 🙂

Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
Winner Winnerrr chicken DINNER!!!
6 years ago
Reply to  Lukewarm

Just a suggestion, don’t leave your day job! You’re opinions & taste leave nothing much to be desired for & very unrealistic, no hard feelings i hope

sg
sg
6 years ago
Reply to  Lukewarm

@Lukewarm It’s not polish words at the end. It”s word “Freedom” in different languages 🙂

peter hardy
peter hardy
6 years ago

why would moldova see the final? who in their right mind would vote for moldova?

Alex
Alex
6 years ago
Reply to  peter hardy

those that voted for them in 2010, 2011 and 2012…

Karen Tariutriyeva
Karen Tariutriyeva
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex

And 2013!

Anabela SakamTe
Anabela SakamTe
6 years ago

I only liked Azerbaijan and Finland. Moldova was fun. I don’t even remember others.

mary o riordan
mary o riordan
6 years ago

dont forget armenia and russia and azerbaijan and belarus- the 4 countries that seal the block votes between them
they are my favourites . is russia still coming to the party?

mary o riordan
mary o riordan
6 years ago
Reply to  mary o riordan

oops i forgot to add moldova

Debailor
Debailor
6 years ago

Definitely Azerbaijan the best and Finland next for me. Still love belgian song so I hope it would qualify, but the performance is not working. Poland was ok and I want it to qualify but it was not that good to be first in the poll. Sweden is so annoying but it’s a good performance and it will gualify. Australia so boring, I hate it all, but probably will qualify. I also don’t get Portugal but it’s good enough to gualify I guess. Greece and Cyprus are ok. Moldova live is fun, it should see final. Albania is great live… Read more »

mary o riordan
mary o riordan
6 years ago

everyone talks dribble on this forum
as if everyone is gonna qualify lol youre all experts ..
the people whose vote matters in the end will not be the people on this forum thankfully

jorgequi
jorgequi
6 years ago

My Top 10 for this semifinal:
1. Finland
2. Azerbaijan (could be winner too)
3. Portugal
4. Sweden
5. Moldova
6. Greece
7. Armenia
8. Poland
9. Georgia
10. Australia

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

There were a lot a huge improvers today. Even the Czech Republic looked like it could qualify now, such was the improvement! Well done to all of the acts and delegations for a successful day. 🙂

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

Sweden, Moldova and Finland look really good and I would say they are definite qualifiers. I don’t like Australia’s staging but I reckon the juries will help them through and while I still don’t get Azerbaijan, they are probably going to the final too. Portugal definetly on this list aswell even though I find it a snorefest.

My biggest disappointments are Belgium and Montenegro. I reckon Blanche still has a chance, while Greece, Poland, Cyprus are also borderline. I think Slavko is heading home early along with Georgia, Albania, Iceland and Czech Rep

Lukewarm
Lukewarm
6 years ago
Reply to  Leo M

Slavko is going to fly home in his helicopter.

Roxana Montoya
Roxana Montoya
6 years ago

Finland
Azerbaijan
Portugal
The rest were meh..

Roxana Montoya
Roxana Montoya
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxana Montoya

Also enjoyed Moldovan rehearsal!

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Sweden
Portugal
Finland
Azerbaijan-
they are ready for the final.
And honorable mention- Slavko!

Vito
Vito
6 years ago

How is Belgium not last on the poll? Their performance was TERRIBLE.

Nikos
Nikos
6 years ago
Reply to  Vito

People (sometimes annoyingly) will still treat this poll as a vote for your favorite song or your home country, instead of REHEARSAL as is intended. :/