Semi-Final 1 of Eurovision 2017 has come and gone — and with it dreams of Eurovision glory for the eight eliminated acts. But for tonight’s ten lucky (and talented) qualifiers, the grand final now awaits. As the results poured in the team from wiwibloggs grabbed a front row seat — we’re being literal — in the press conference room, where we filmed the acts expressing their thanks and sounding off on how they were feeling. Lots of warm fuzzies all around.

 

Eurovision 2017: Semi-Final 1 qualifiers press conference

Press conference: What went down

The artists were relieved and so were their fans. This was perhaps most evident in countries who have faced a hard time at Eurovision in recent years.

Salvador Sobral ended Portugal’s seven-year stretch of non-qualifications and received a rapturous welcome.

Greek fans, who watched their country fail to quality for the first time ever in 2016, were thrilled to see Demy set the country back on the path to Eurovision glory.

The questions were generally quite banal and the responses somewhat predictable.

However, Kasia Mos touched us by saying she hopes Poland will change its laws and one day forbid people from putting dogs on chains.

And Salvador Sobral made a passionate plea for Europe to accept more refugees.

First half or second half?

During the semi-final all ten qualifiers drew “first half” or “second half” from a large fish bowl.

Producers will now decide the precise running order for each half with the goal of creating the most interesting show possible. Interestingly three of our favourites — Italy, Armenia and Portugal — all drew the first half.

You can watch the entire process in our video at top. But we also filmed snippets on our Instagram account. And here they are…

In which half of the show will YOUR favourite perform? Do you think that the allocation will impact his or her chances on Saturday? Sound off below!

Photo: Thomas Hanses (EBU)

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Parker
6 years ago

Fantastic website. Lots of useful info here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

About the press conference, I’ll say what I said in another article! I’m glad Hovig pointed out that it’s the third year in a row Cyprus is qualifying! It’s a small island, no friends (apart from Greece), usually struggles to qualify! I could see it in his performance how much he wanted to get through! He gave his best! And he nailed it! I also loved how excited and enthusiastic was the Greek fan club when Demy appeared! Same with Hovig! Also, same enthusiasm from the Portugeuse fans! It was beautiful! After 7 years, they’re back to the final! As… Read more »

Paco
Paco
6 years ago

My fav Latvia will perform at their home, unfair…

LAHAYANO
LAHAYANO
6 years ago
Reply to  Paco

They had the weakest vocals by far.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

What this conference tells me is that Salvador Sobral and Kasia Mos are amazing people and I have a lot of respect for them.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

True! They’re so kind! I loved Salvador’s sweater and I’m glad he had the opportunity to talk about it! In general, I love the way he speaks, he seems a person with personality!

Also, I loved when Kasia referred to other artists left behind! She was so kind!

eurovision
eurovision
6 years ago

It is unfair that producers choose the position of each country. It should be random drawing to make sure that every delegation has a chance.
This is the first year I have paid an attention to Eurovision and actually I think that my country should not be a part of it. “Come together”, “celebrate diversity”, “join us”, blah blah, but at the end of the day the idea of equality is broken, because there are some countries that are more appreciated than others. Pathetic.

coryn
coryn
6 years ago
Reply to  eurovision

it has nothing to do with fair.. it is better when producers determine it, cause they make the contest more exciting and watchable.. why let a draw determine how exciting all that huge effort put in this contest, will be for the audience. The performers do not determine it anyhow. So this semi-controlled order is way much better than previously, when it was fully random.

Friede
Friede
6 years ago
Reply to  eurovision

I agree with you. If Italy is such a clear winner, why don’t they make him open the final? It would be a great start. I dare the Ukrainian TV. but I guess it will be Moldova… Btw, am I the only one who finds Franccescco’s performance off-putting? It’s way too much

Hadiraja
Hadiraja
6 years ago
Reply to  eurovision

The good thing with producers is that they generally put songs in different genres separated from each other which makes each song “stand out” much better. It makes it much funnier to watch on as well. I remember the contests in Oslo, Baku and Düsseldorf where everything was drawn and it wasn’t fun at all because four up-tempo songs would come in a row and then afterwards there would be four ballads in a row. With producers it’s much more flexible and it makes a better show.

Spittelmarkt
Spittelmarkt
6 years ago

I was watching the semifinal with my roommates and the comments were: how boring, I feel depressed, another sad ballad?, when is it over?… this might have hurt Finland and Iceland chances, there were too many “dark” songs, and helped Greece and Moldova. On the other hand, they liked Italy and… Spain snippets, Lol. The colors caught their attention. There will be surprises.

coryn
coryn
6 years ago
Reply to  Spittelmarkt

you should change your roommates.. some non diva maybe.. you’ll be happier

ceee
ceee
6 years ago
Reply to  Spittelmarkt

Spain will have a good score, don’t be surprised. Ever since Objectivo Eurovision, I’ve wanted Manel for Spain, not Mirella or LeKlein. Mirella is the recipe that failed always for Spain, and LeKlein would have been another black staging.

AGREE
AGREE
6 years ago
Reply to  Spittelmarkt

First of all, I agree that Finland did not interest the viewers. I introduced the whole first semi for friends and family members before last night and no one liked Finland. Since we are from Sweden, everyone was obviously curious about Finland’s song. But after half the song everyone looked at their phones or went to the toilet. She sang very beautiful and it was very beautiful and unfortunately too beautiful becomes uninteresting to people outside the bubble. Secondly, I think Spain will do well and the guy deserves a lot of love after all the terrible hatred he have… Read more »

Bb
Bb
6 years ago

Greece was dredfull. That song was low quality sang badlly.i just dont understand how judges Márk higher this than finland i hope in the final it will crush and burn

mikespain
mikespain
6 years ago
Reply to  Bb

I agree

LAHAYANO
LAHAYANO
6 years ago
Reply to  Bb

Yeah unbelievable that this dirge was allowed to go into the final.

God-Emperor
God-Emperor
6 years ago
Reply to  Bb

Because it’s still Eurovision after all. That might change if Portugal wins this!

RobyFR
RobyFR
6 years ago
Reply to  Bb

Agree 100% Greece was just a cliché song with a singer who was unable to deliver a good performance! During the chorus the harmonies were bad or she sang off notes, I don’t know but it was not pleasant to listen to… Would have prefered FInland to qualify… But hey it’s the way it is…

Eurofan
Eurofan
6 years ago
Reply to  Bb

Haters gonna hate..ok it’s your opinion but the article is about the allocation draw and the press conference of the qualifiers!you have too much hate and maybe you cannot understand that you are off topic!calm down it’s a song and visual contest not a war???

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

I thought some of the questions were a bit rude. Firstly, when that reporter asked the Swedish singer if he actually thinks he can win because Italy is unbeatable, I just wanted to reach through my computer and smack him. Also, asking Demy if Greece can host the contest next year was obnoxious. As for Kasia Mos wanting dogs to not be on chains, is she crazy? I lived with dogs for many years; without a chain, the dogs would have either run away or run into a car. I appreciate her love for animals, but dogs don’t often look… Read more »

ceee
ceee
6 years ago
Reply to  Ern

”Chains” does not mean ”Leash”, or at least Kasia didn’t meant it that way, she was talking about dogs that spend all their live practically in a cage.

MarekZK
MarekZK
6 years ago
Reply to  ceee

Agree. Kasia Mos wasn’t referring to a normal walk in a park with a dog in a leash. She defends mistreated animals.

SonUk
SonUk
6 years ago

I really liked Armenia, Greece, Poland and Portugal.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Portugal and Italy on the first half!? So the battle for ESC 2017 winner will be early 😉

MS
MS
6 years ago

I think Italy and Portugal will be late in first semi together whith other winners in first and secound semi!

The absolute favorites from semi 1&2 in 2nd half will probably be early. I think Crister Björkman want it to be fair and won’t do the same as Astria 2015.
Sweden, Russia and Italy was favorites then, and I think I reed in an article that Björkman though that it was really strange to put Russia and Italy in that good positions, and I agree! The producers should give the favorites a fair fight!

Paul D.
Paul D.
6 years ago

Why are all the good songs going to 1st half? 🙁

PP
PP
6 years ago

Portugal don t deserve to get 2 time good spot in draw, first in semi to sing last in first half of semi and good draw to sing 12 or 13 in final.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

Favourites always get good draw (look Australia and Russia in 2016)
And Top 2 from Semifinals always get the best draw possible.. so Portugal likely will be performing 10th-13th 🙂

PP
PP
6 years ago
Reply to  Marc

They got good draw thanks to producer like some countries every year.EBU must change rules and from 2018 to have draw like before 2013 or to change to host countries in march, draw number for final and to have in semifinal draw some changes to draw decide who sing first, in the middle and who sang last and that position not decide host producer and EBU. Same for final, to have papers sing in 1th half, sing in 2nd half, number 1, number 12 and 13, number 26.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

ALso, judging by Artsvik’s reaction, she knows good and well that drawing 1st half is not a good thing.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Yeah, she has two spots: a bad one or close to Italy (which is also a bad one).

LAHAYANO
LAHAYANO
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

In her case it doesn’t really matter.

People of Armenian descent throughout Europe would vote for her even if she was humming ‘Ole McDonald had a farm’.

Honestly
Honestly
6 years ago
Reply to  LAHAYANO

Not really!! Lol

PP
PP
6 years ago

For TOP 10 from second semi final, only stay 3 places to sing in second half of final. 7 of 10 will get draw to sing in first half of final.

Marcus
Marcus
6 years ago

HOW DID FINLAND NOT QUALIFY? That was the best live song of the night! :-O shocked

JT
JT
6 years ago
Reply to  Marcus

Agree. Next to Portugal it was my favourite.

mikespain
mikespain
6 years ago
Reply to  Marcus

I agree, it was beautiful…a lot better than many shouting bi+++s hehe

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

The first half looks much better than the second. I hope performing in the first half won’t harm Portugal’s or Italy’s chances

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

She was not gonna win or be Top 3 anyway..
and diaspora will vote for her regardless.

Mar
Mar
6 years ago

So basically if Bulgaria draws first half on Thursday, the beginning of the show will be packed with favourites and the second half will languish with only Sweden and the UK (and maybe Belgium?) as standouts.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Mar

Yes. Like 2014 or 2015.
And Belgium is a favourite yes.

Marc
Marc
6 years ago
Reply to  Mar

2014: Austria, Armenia, Sweden and Poland. All performing 1st half.. yet all Top 5 with televote.

Cabrello
Cabrello
6 years ago

Distinct lack of ballads overall, but particularly in the second half with the thoroughly mediocre Australia and the UK only, the UK must be feeling pretty good. Other than Moldova in the first half, the organisers must be pretty annoyed.

Gloria
Gloria
6 years ago

So far from the betting odds it seems Sweden and Belgium hit jackpot with 2nd half of final. I feel that (if Bulgaria gets 1st half) Portugal, Armenia, Italy will fight with eachother. I can see Sweden in Top 3 at this point and a surprise winner.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Running order:
1. Moldova
2/3. Could be Poland
4-6. Azerbaijan
7. Runner-up of SF1 (probably Portugal or Armenia, maybe 3rd place)

10. Winner of SF1 (Portugal or Armenia)

13. Italy
14. Spain (LoL, just kidding)
22. Ukraine
25. Spain
26. UK (if it’s true that they delayed Italy’s performance yesterday, they put UK here to avoid any issue). Epic staging (like Armenia 2016, Italy 2015, UK 2014).

1st half is bad for Portugal (specially between good televoting contenders: Poland, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Italy), the juries will save it.
If Bulgaria gets there, gold help us all.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Can you please explain to me the reasoning behind this?
Or perhaps give a link which explains the science behind running orders.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

It’s just a prediction based on the previous years.
Usually:
1. Opening (dance/energetic song)
2/3. Ballads from the semis that barely qualified.
4-6. Contender for Top 10, not win
7-10. Possible, but unlikely, winners
10-13. Potencial winners, some losers in the middle.
14-18. Songs that won’t cause much damage.
18-24. Madness zone
25. Depends on who will close the show, could be a favourite or a loser
26. Closing the show with epic staging.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Ok, thanks! ^^ It’s difficult to arrive at any useful conclusions from such a limited dataset. From a brief look at the years 2013-2016 your list appears rather arbitrary. How is any of this conducive to good TV entertainment? I understand the bare basics ofc. You need a show starter and a show closer. In between there should be these cycles of high impact vs. low key vs. novelty. Spot 2 is the kiss of death. 18 and 24 are somehow magical. etc. But are we to believe the producers take likelihood of winning into consideration when constructing the running… Read more »

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Yes, it’s hard to say without the 10 last countries. Also, it’s not a rule, just a formula that they may follow.

MS
MS
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Don’t you think that the 1-3 most winner in the second part will be early?
Sweden will probably be after a paus because of the tredmills.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  MS

With Armenia, Portugal and Italy in the firs half, not much. Yes, Sweden will be after a break, I believe that too.

MS
MS
6 years ago

Yes, but Crister Björkman critiziced the procusers 2015 when they put Italy and Russia late in their half! So if he will follow that him self the wouldn’t the aboulute top two in their semis be saved that late in second part!

Tusán
6 years ago
Reply to  MS

Why did he criticize them for putting Italy and Russia later? Italy won the televote, Russia came second. wtf

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Yeah, they might use a break as well.

Life
Life
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

In one of the Eurovision daily recaps, they did have the UK playing on a screen with the number 26. So I really wouldn’t be surprised. Of course it may have been a temporary number, but we’ll see.

Maclaren
Maclaren
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Sweden will be closing the show now probably

MS
MS
6 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

Crister Björkman would nerver put sweden last. That is the best position and he couldn’t do that even if it would be best for the show.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  MS

Actually closing is not the best position. By the time the last song comes around unless it’s really great, people tend to have already made up their minds. Look at armenia last year – finished second in the semi but only 7th in the final

Verka
Verka
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Yes, I agree, even tho Il Volo were last and won televote, I still think that is not that good for anybody. Some people are already bored when the last song is performed.