Slip on your dancing shoes, warm up your wind machines and get ready to slay! The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 takes place tonight at 21:00 CEST.
Over the past week European televoters and a professional jury have whittled 43 acts down to 26. And now it’s time for you to help narrow the 26 finalists down to just one winner. Dancing gorillas, Alpine yodellers, women standing in glass seashells — the choices are tough and you need to be prepared.
To help you through tonight’s show we’ve pulled together a country-by-country guide to all the action. Consider it our pre-recorded commentary. For each song, we provide a brief overview of the act. Click on the song title to read our full review of the studio cut.
Want more? Visit our YouTube channel where you can watch our red carpet interviews, dress rehearsal footage (for semi-final 1, semi-final 2 and the grand final), our first rehearsal reviews and our Wiwi Jury videos, during which we rate the studio versions of each song.
Eurovision 2017: Grand final running order
Eurovision 2017 Preview
1. Israel: Imri – “I Feel Alive”
He’s got a bangin’ body and he isn’t afraid to show it off, slipping into a slightly see-through tank top that shows off his gym-honed arms. Comfortable in the lower register, he sometimes stumbles on the higher notes when he says “I feel alive” — which is often. Thankfully there are plenty of distractions, including a large LED that shows an image of him breaking into pieces, some club-ready choreography and, perhaps most importantly, some cleverly hidden backing vocalists. This dance number works an electro beat and some fierce Middle Eastern sounds — a great opener.
Memorable lyrics: “Breaking me to pieces, I wanted you to know that every piece broke from you”
Fan poll: 15 Wiwi Jury: 7
2. Poland: Kasia Mos – “Flashlight”
She’s the only Eurovision 2017 contestant ever to have appeared on the cover of Playboy magazine — completely naked except for a baby wolf that covers her ample assets. And in Kiev Poland’s Kasia Mos has made it clear that she’s a friend of the animals. Her symphonic ballad “Flashlight” may rhyme the words “fire” with “desire” and “higher,” but it also calls on Europe to respect our four-legged friends — including her five dogs (Zetka, Felix, Coco, Mimi and Gaga) and two cats (Milos and Mona). “I cannot believe that in the 21st century in Poland we still have dogs on chains, people wear fur, people hunt for animals,” she tells us. “For me this is so terrible, disgusting.”
Memorable lyrics: “Like two animals on the run, not afraid to fly into the sun”
Fan poll: 9 Wiwi Jury: 21
3. Belarus: Naviband – “Story of My Life“
They’re the very first act from Belarus ever to sing in their national language at Eurovision. Wearing white and standing on a matching hydroplane, they seem to speed by owing to a fast-moving LED. Musically this feels like two singers have been lifted from the Navajo Nation, transplanted to Belarus and handed a top-notch producer. Wild, rambling, uplifting and just a little bit crazy, this song has character and personality in spades and it sounds current but indigenous at the same time. The singers’ charisma and chemistry make us smile and the vocals are as delightful. Pay attention and you’ll want to shout “Hey! Hey!” It’s a cry of joy that doesn’t get old.
Memorable lyrics: “Hey! Hey! Hay-yay-yay-a-ho!”
Fan poll: 18 Wiwi Jury: 9
4. Austria: Nathan Trent – “Running on Air”
The moon isn’t made of cheese — apparently it consists of shiny metallic panels and has been shipped to Kyiv. Working a passing resemblance to Justin Timberlake, Nathan oozes charisma as he climbs on his crescent moon for this sweet and breezy entry. At the end of the song he walks on a perspex table amid billowing smoke, creating the sense he’s walking on air. It’s a feel-good track that avoids cliché and manages to remain somehow cool and trendy despite the overtly inspirational message. Like Austria’s last Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, he has both a beard and a penis.
Memorable lyrics: “You can try to put me in a box, but I’m doing it my own damn way”
Fan poll: 21 Wiwi Jury: 12
5. Armenia: Artsvik – “Fly with Me”
The song mixes dreamy, traditional, experimental and Oriental sounds, yet remains cohesive owing to Artsvik’s voice and an underlying sense of spirituality. The staging is slick, avant-garde and utterly spell binding. Purple — the colour of royalty and power — dominates. Artsvik owns the stage like a true queen, standing at the centre as she and her backing dancers nail their hand movements. At one particularly inspired moment, they mimic a Hindu deity with some perfectly in-sync armography — fans are already branding it Bollywood voguing. The ever evolving LED backdrop changes from smoke to ancient symbols to swirling vistas. They harness low-tech elements too, using camera shakes to further the storytelling. As we rush towards the finale, the smoke lifts and pyro shoots from the floor. Artsvik throws open her arms, spreadeagle like, and unleashes a giant computer generated bird from within. You can’t spell Artsvik without art, and this is art!
Memorable lyrics: “Never stop believing that love will take us high”
Fan poll: 12 Wiwi Jury: 10
6. Netherlands: OG3NE – “Lights and Shadows”
Their song “Lights and Shadows” has faced criticism for sounding like a 1990s song from Wilson Phillips. But Dutch trio O’G3NE pull their number firmly into 2017 with subtle but effective staging that arouses emotions and honours the perseverance of their mother, who has been battling cancer for several years. A standout moment comes when the camera looks down on the ladies from above and they nod to their mother with the outline of a woman projected onto the floor. They do it with their name, too. O is their mother’s blood type, and their genes unite them. Their harmonies are nuclear and their simple but sassy dance moves are performed in perfect unison.
Memorable lyrics: “I can only hope once you fly you’ll be free”
Fan poll: 13 Wiwi Jury: 20
7. Moldova: SunStroke Project – “Hey Mamma”
Contemporary and on-trend, “Hey Mamma” balances crazy and mainstream to great effect, creating a real earworm of a tune that could make the most uptight listener undo his collar and tap his foot. The saxophone against the electro backing sizzles and the lead singer’s vocals balance sexiness and vulnerability perfectly. As he begs his mother-in-law for a bit of peace, you can’t help but cheer him on. Epic Sax Guy returns from Eurovision 2010 with his eye-catching thrusts, which are repeated in an infinite series on the LED backdrop. Zany brides with bouquets complete this outré and eccentric act.
Memorable lyrics: “Mamma, mamma, don’t be so mad If you knew me, you’d be surprised”
Fan poll: 22 Wiwi Jury: 11
8. Hungary: Joci Pápai – “Origo”
He’s the first Romany singer ever to represent Hungary at Eurovision. And Joci Pápai does so with pure authenticity, taking traditional Romany sounds and giving them a mainstream spin with on-point production and a rap interlude that actually seems organic. He gives pain rhythm as he discusses the struggles he has faced as a Romany man who loves a non-Romany woman. His female dancer smoulders and when she throws herself to the floor you can feel the passion. During the performance he beats on a traditional milk jug, which Romany people have turned into a musical instrument over time.
Memorable lyrics: “You hear my melody, you know my name”
Fan poll: 17 Wiwi Jury: 8
9. Italy: Francesco Gabbani – “Occidentali’s Karma”
He’s a heady mix of goofy and sexy. But behind all the swagger and feel-good fun of “Occidentali’s Karma” lies a timely message about the dumbing down of society through technology. Francesco charts our evolution from monkey to Chanel shopper and spears Westerners who turn to Oriental cultures for inspiration. His on-stage theatrics convey the folly of those who dip into a mantra they can never truly espouse. All of that to say: There is an ape with a rainbow coloured dickey tie on stage. The pre-contest favourite, the performance has dipped in our minds owing to outré staging that is at times a bit too busy.
Memorable lyrics: “The crowd is shouting a mantra, evolution stumbles, the naked ape is dancing”
Fan poll: 1 Wiwi Jury: 1
10. Denmark: Anja – “Where I Am”
Anja Nissen has poise, power and beauty. Unfortunately she doesn’t have a good song. “Where I Am” is three minutes of vocal masturbation that consists of two settings: loud and louder. Rather than reaching one climax, she seems to hit about fifty — and that’s exhausting for even the most seasoned lothario. This isn’t a song. It’s one extended high note. Despite feeling like an X Factor winner’s single — there’s plenty of pyro rainfalls — this does look expensive and it sounds current. The winner of The Voice of Australia, Anja knows how to sell what she’s got — as when she drops to her knees during the song’s “moment”.
Memorable lyrics: “I’m laying down my armour, laying down my gun”
Fan poll: 14 Wiwi Jury: 14
11. Portugal: Salvador Sobral – “Amar Pelos Dois”
Dreamy from the very first note, “Amar pelos dois” takes nostalgia and longing and turns it into something that’s painful but beautiful. Vocally Salvador is assertive yet soft, competent but never flashy. His quirky delivery adds to the tenderness and charm. He closes his eyes, touches his face and goes into a world of his own — yet one the audience can still access. He proves, perhaps better than anyone this year, that you don’t have to sing loudly to be heard, nor do you have to shriek to stir drama. It’s a sheer joy and one that avoids all Eurovision clichés.
Owing to a serious heart condition, Salvador arrived to Eurovision a week after most of the other contestants and had to dispatch his sister (and songwriter) to rehearsals. Given how much he’s been through in recent months — including a hernia operation — his potential victory would be all the sweeter.
Memorable lyrics: “My heart can love for the both of us”
Fan poll: 3 Wiwi Jury: 16
12. Azerbaijan: Dihaj – “Skeletons”
Avant-garde and totally original, Dihaj does Eurovision her way, melding one of the most current songs in the competition with performance art. The opening sees the singer in a small room of chalkboards, which feature the lyrics of her song and is meant to represent a destructive relationship. She serves face and writhes against the walls as she sings about her “skeletons” and her willingness to hand them over to Mr. Wrong, represented by a man wearing a horse head. Giddy up, y’all. Thankfully DiHaj don’t play, the room collapses, and she’s able to move forward by running riot with chalk and a raincoat. It’s bonkers and brilliant.
Memorable lyrics: “When we hook up it’s fantasy, we’re just like alchemy, I’ve never been so ready”
Fan poll: 11 Wiwi Jury: 4
13. Croatia: Jacques Houdek – “My Friend”
The vocal range? Baritone to soprano. The song? Inspirational ballad and operatic overture. The duet? Croatia’s Jacques Houdek…featuring Jaques Houdek. For this bizarre duet for one, the Croatian crooner channels both Luciano Pavarotti and Michael Jackson (if someone squeezed his testicles very tightly while making him sing). He wears leather on one side and a tuxedo on the other, acting as a motivational speaker who preaches that we should live each moment like it’s a miracle. The performance includes LED rainbows, vistas that smack of The Lion King, exploding pyro geysers, bright sunflowers and string instrumentalists. Whether they lead to the gates of heaven or hell is a matter of taste, but this freak show fantasy shouldn’t be missed.
Memorable lyrics: “I pray you see the light and find your way”
Fan poll: 24 Wiwi Jury: 26
14. Australia: Isaiah – “Don’t Come Easy”
He’s a 17-year-old winner of the X Factor Australia and one of his country’s most popular singers of Aboriginal descent. And Isaiah Firebrace comes to Eurovision with a serious ballad that not many teenagers could handle. He infuses the song with soul and delivers the grown-up themes of the lyrics with sincerity. The song’s production adds an electronic edge to the classic R&B ballad style, making it much more enjoyable than a lot of other ballads in the show this year. The staging sees Isaiah standing on a Lazy Susan turntable, sometimes walking against the motion and before a dreamscape that features his own face in various guises. Some will call it vain, others magical. Regardless this you can’t deny: He has the best eyebrows of the competition.
Memorable lyrics: “Been burned too many times to love easily”
Fan poll: 19 Wiwi Jury: 13
15. Greece: Demy – “This Is Love”
She’s a princess of Greek pop who has had a string of No. 1 hits on the Greek Airplay Charts. And at Eurovision 2017 Demy wants you to know that love can change everything. She does that by standing on a platform that elevates her to the sky, before she’s greeted by two shirtless men wearing spray-on leggings. They represent swans — the ultimate symbol of love, who never find new partners after their beloved dies. At the climax of this electro-love letter, you see a 30-second projection of a waterfall in reverse and a figure representing Demy in the water. The first time around we mistook it for a corpse.
Memorable lyrics: “Holding on to what we had can be so self-destroying”
Fan poll: 16 Wiwi Jury: 19
16. Spain: Manel Navarro – “Do It for Your Lover”
If you only understand English, then the chorus sounds both childish (“clap your hands…”) and vaguely sexual (“….and do it for your lover”). But the translated verses totally change it. The song is about how if you’re feeling a bit down, you should still make the effort to get out and do stuff because your bae is relying on you. It’s really sweet… but it’s in Spanish. Thankfully the summery staging oozes piña colada realness through a series of playful and brightly coloured images, including oversized surfboards that appear and disappear in succession, a sandy beach vista with sun chairs, and the outline of palm trees and a golden sun. At one point we see a camper van — probably a VW — hopping. When Manel sings, the passengers can’t help but bounce along.
Memorable lyrics: “Take my hand and don’t close that door”
Fan poll: 6 Wiwi Jury: 24
17. Norway: JOWST – “Grab the Moment”
A largely linear song, “Grab the Moment” bypasses swells and plunges, opting instead for a steady stream of electro sounds. The melody is repetitive, but it never feels monotonous, perhaps owing to the inspirational sound and decidedly contemporary production. Alexander’s earnest delivery balances optimism with just the right amount of edge and grit, avoiding the saccharine quality that so often comes with get-up-and-get-em tunes. The staging is Scandi cool — and bathed in purple with black and grey accents.
Memorable lyrics: “When it’s all or nothing, I put my nerves in the coffin”
Fan poll: 20 Wiwi Jury: 18
18. United Kingdom: Lucie Jones – “Never Give Up on You”
She famously lost out to Jedward during a deadlock on The X Factor. And since then Lucie Jones has cultivated stardom in the West End, where she’s starred in Legally Blonde and RENT. Her performance starts with her singing inside an enormous mirror shard that resembles a glass seashell. We see her reflected on each side, mirroring the fragmented “madness” she sings about in her song. The song’s ethereal quality comes through in a stunning galaxy of gold that shoots out from Lucie’s shell and the giant LEDs. The cameras zoom way out and are set at an angle that gives the sense of an infinite space of stars in flight.
Memorable lyrics: “Just give me your hand and hold on, together we’ll dance through this storm”
Fan poll: 10 Wiwi Jury: 15
19. Cyprus: Hovig – “Gravity”
“Gravity” is like a slice of moussaka. Delicious at first, but if you have the whole thing it’s too heavy and leaves you feeling bloated. The first minute is dark and intense, but squanders all of that promise in what follows because it just repeats. Even the middle eight, normally a guaranteed offer of something different in a Eurovision song, flatlines. Thankfully the staging helps give this act life, as it plays on themes of gravity and free-falling. Hovig balances on one leg, walks a digital tightrope on the floor and, in one of the best visuals of the contest, appears to fall from the sky while lying on the LED floor. (And yes: This does sound like Rag’n’bone Man’s “Human”).
Memorable lyrics: “Let me be your heart and your company, I’ll let you be the one who can lean on me”
Fan poll: 23 Wiwi Jury: 17
20. Romania: Ilinca and Alex Florea – “Yodel It!”
When life has you down, don’t stress — just yodel! That inspirational message comes to life in Romania’s Eurovision entry, which has more character than a clown on an acid trip. Beautiful Ilinca schools us on Alpine tradition, serving pitch-perfect wails along with plenty of sass and attitude. Her soaring vocals work well with Alex’s hip-hop leanings, creating a bizarre but delightful mix that makes me smile every time. The LED background moves through a series of cartoon images, including a row of toy soldiers and cannons against the sky. At one point the words “Yodel it” appear in a playful font and bold colouring. But perhaps the most high-impact moment comes when Alex runs off stage and wheels on a cannon. Many will say that yodelling is a gimmick. That is true. But, as Ilinca proves on this vast stage, it’s also a talent and a gift.
Memorable lyrics: “Get another coffee, get another one to make it through”
Fan poll: 7 Wiwi Jury: 22
21. Germany: Levina – “Perfect Life”
She’s the German singer who knows she can’t do any worse than her Eurovision predecessors, given that Germany has finished last in back-to-back years. And Levina seems confident that she’ll spare Germany that fate this year. She starts the performance on her back, wearing a monochrome dress, which looks amazing against the LED floor that resembles molten diamond — appropriate since she sings about perfection. It’s one of the most amazing shots of the entire competition. When Levina stands up she also stands out — working a slick up-do that gives her extra edge. She also plays a subtle but somehow dramatic make-up game, working a bit of foundation, nude lipstick, kohl eyeliner and lashings of mascara. Unfortunately the rest of the performance looks like she’s dancing in front of a MacBook Pro.
Memorable lyrics: “Sometimes it’s wrong before it’s right — that’s what you call a perfect life”
Fan poll: 26 Wiwi Jury: 25
22. Ukraine: O.Torvald – “Time”
O.Torvald give great head. Just look at the massive bust that sits centre stage throughout their performance. It illuminates in all manner of colours as the background LED moves from darkness to a fierce lightning storm. Lots of white strobes give this a rock feel, but the ending is somehow poetic. The song dies down and we see a golden sun rising from behind a mountain landscape. The camera also pans outward and up, and the LED illuminates with gold lines. It gives a sense of depth — and the head a body, creating the illusion a person is poking up through the stage.
Memorable lyrics: “Stop missing the things you haven’t found”
Fan poll: 25 Wiwi Jury: 23
23. Belgium: Blanche – “City Lights”
A purveyor of dark pop, Blanche puts her rich and melodic vocals to stellar use on “City Lights”, which is easily the best studio cut of the year. Deliberately ignoring massive peaks and valleys, the song progresses in a linear fashion, adding dynamism through highly contemporary production that includes digital beats, electro-drumming and evolving rhythms. Such polished tracks can come off cold and sterile. But Blanche adds warmth through her vulnerability and overt longing. Her obvious nerves fit with the song and give it an awkward charm that’s at once charming and refreshing.
Memorable lyrics: “All alone in the danger zone, Are you ready to take my hand?”
Fan poll: 4 Wiwi Jury: 2
24. Sweden: Robin Bengtsson – “I Can’t Go On”
“I Can’t Go On” is a polished pop/R&B tune driven by super-slick choreography. Robin Bengtsson sprinkles some naughty-boy grit with his suggestive dance moves that connote a man with a lot of experience womanising. The staging features some eye-catching choreography, with Robin and his backing dancers wearing suits while walking and voguing in unison on a treadmill. As you do. He also deploys a hand gesture which will apparently get you in trouble in Brazil. In progressive Sweden Robin dropped the F-bomb in the lyrics. But for the more conservative Eurovision he’s replaced it with “frickin'”.
Memorable lyrics: “With just one look you make me shiver, I just wanna take you home”
Fan poll: 8 Wiwi Jury: 5
25. Bulgaria: Kristian Kostov – “Beautiful Mess”
At just 17 years of age he’s the youngest competitor at this year’s Eurovision. But age doesn’t limit ambition, as seen in this sleek and artistic performance that will no doubt challenge for the win. Singing about a world in crisis, he portrays a young man in search of an anchor. The dark colourway, which consists mostly of black and grey, albeit with flashes of white, suggests tragedy and war, and the camera cuts create an intimate atmosphere where he can sing directly to viewers. The other-worldly, minimalist bent continues with the LED floor, which at times resembles a vast grey space — emphasising Kristian’s singularity. Perhaps the most dramatic moments comes when large, rectilinear rain drops fall from the LED, creating the effect that Kristian is in the middle of a storm.
Memorable lyrics: “We’re in over our heads, but somehow we make it back again”
Fan poll: 2 Wiwi Jury: 6
26. France: Alma – “Requiem”
“Requiem” tackles a philosophical question French thinkers have grappled with for centuries: Will all this matter after we’re gone from this world? In answering that Alma doesn’t think in black and white, but rather a series of greys. The opening has an existential tone that comments on the transient nature of life — “Centuries pass and disappear, what you believe to be death is nothing but a season” — but by the sensual bridge, where Alma delivers vibrant vocals against a clear piano instrumental, she’s found the strength not to worry: “Loves is born, love dies, tonight I’m not afraid anymore.” Life is ephemeral, love is eternal. This requiem is not about death — it’s about coming to terms with living. That Alma does it all in front of a glorious Parisian cityscape that rotates and twists makes it all the more magical.
Memorable lyrics: “The world will still be turning, even when we are not turning anymore”
Fan poll: 5 Wiwi Jury: 3
A beautiful song from Salvador Sobral. You thank me later…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Nglpp3QSiI
Congratulations Portugal. You deserve it. Record points ever, record 12 points given, unanimously highest score from jury votes and televote from 42 countries with 400 millions people. Beautiful and a hearthbreaking song. Eurovision made history.
IT’S YA BOI SALVADOR LISBON 2018 YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Yup. No real surprise here. He was my #3 before the contest started. I scored his performance #1 tonight.
Almost 400 points for Portugal so far!
Bulgaria leading the odds:-)
What an Australian ass that was.
Found out he is a Ukrainian serial pest who as been arrested .He has embarrassed Adele , Brad Pitt and Will Smith at movie premieres .Don’t know what his point is – Australia was very embarrassed thinking he was one of ours but Ukraine probably isn’t very relieved he is one of theirs. Do we even care what he is protesting about ? My advice is don’t give this loser further publicity or comment about him in any form of media let the Ukrainian courts deal with him and hopefully they will throw away the key and ban him from… Read more »
I think Belgium did incredibly well in the televote, here in Austria City Lights is already on #8, continuing to rise.
However, I voted for Australia, UK, Belgium and Bulgaria (2x)
Yikes! Someone mooned the camera!
tonights winners after their performance in my opinion
uk
Bulgaria
Netherlands
Portugal
hungary
Armenia
Azerbaijan
keep voting Uk number 18 number 18 number 18
I just voted Italy, UK, Austria and Belgium, also considering Moldova, Norway, France, Portugal, Romania and Poland. 🙂
But almost all were fantastic! What a great semi! Good luck everyone!
GO JACQUES – TOP 10!!!
Semi? This is the final…
I just voted Italy, UK, Austria and Belgium, also considering Moldova, France, Portugal, Romania and Poland. 🙂
But almost all were fantastic! What a great semi! Good luck everyone!
GO JACQUES – TOP 10!!!
Ok..so my top3 after the final :
Portugal
Belgium
Italy
Portugal will do well in the televote. It’s youtube video has almost the same views as Gabbani’s and was uploaded several minutes later.
Poor Manel Navarro..he did not deserved such a bad performance….
Yeah…it was so bad…Poor guy
Last place?
Ok, I’ve made my decision. Italy is winning in the end.
Portugal is the winner, I’m telling you!
I have to admit, the US coverage is a lot better than I thought. Ross and Michelle are doing a great job.
However, I wish it’s in HD!!!
OMG Portugal did great again!!
Winner!! Lisbon 2018
OK After this, Portugal won, for sure.
agree, sensational, everybody was crying. impressive. Next year is in Portugal
No idea who will win. Top 5 in my opinion, random order, will be: Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia, Portugal. The biggest positive surprise, Poland. The biggest loss: Belgium, maybe Sweden too. Last place: Spain or Denmark.
Francesco was so popular and now people say he already lost, that he might become the “dark horse” of this year.
What a plot twist hahahah
Queen Dana International says live on television that Blanche has the best song of this year!
Portugal won 2 awards!
It will be France or Belgium.
Armenians are not Gypsies. Borat is not Armenian but Kazakh. Armenians are not trolls they are a good diaspora. Armenians are Whites and Aryans. Armenia is the mother of Europe. Russians and Ukrainians are Mongols. Israel and Turkey are not Europe. Azerbaijan is Negroid and not Europe.
Armenians are 1st Genocide of 6,5 millions dead. Armenians are 1st Christians. You are all children of King Hayes Hayastan 5000 B.C. See Bible.
This year is for Portugal. Congratulations
Turkey is a country on 2 continents: Europe and Asia
Milan2018 or Lisbon2018? Cast your vote!
MEO ARENA, find where?
I’m so torn between Italy and Portugal! Italy coz they are doing good these past few years and I think winning this year is a good reward. Portugal, they haven’t won and Lisbon 2018 is such a breath of fresh air, what an exotic place! Ugh,OMG I don’t know what to do. Help me!
I think Italy deserves it more than Portugal! I dont want another ballad to win. I want a fun song!! Portugal is a good runner up or 3rd place 🙂
Thanks. I think the winner tonight is the artist who wants to win badly and that’s Salvador.
A fun song and a modern song like Italy although Portugal’s song is nice but it’s kinda old-fashioned. and we want Eurovision to go to a Modern way, not just ballads, and after Jamala last year I think it’s better to have a song like Occidentali’s karma win. and Italy has always sent amazing songs since their comeback, and I think they deserve it more, while it’s only the first year that Portugal is sending a good song, and I think it’s because of their new national selection, so they can send good songs in coming years and win in… Read more »
I wish all the singers the best of luck. This is a contest of happiness. So good luck to every country. I hope Belgium would be first. Blanche,we support you.
Thank you for supporting us.
Portugal won the jury vote. Many rumours and there news already about it.
It’s you again, the overtly obssesive Portugal fan!
Rumours are rumours, not news! We don’t know anything!
Rumors, rumors…. Portugal will be in for a rude awakening when the jury vote comes. The televote as well will be disappointing to them.
from the UK
Bulgaria
Portugal
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Sweden
Denmark
Israel
Austria
Belarus
and even France, all should be in the top 10
but seriously please vote for the UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHfKURVUCnc Margaret – What you do <3 Poland
One thing is for sure. If Italy or Portugal wins. Then it will be another year of forgettable winners. Just like Jamala last year. Boring.
If ESC wants to stay relevant then hits need to win. Not song that sounds like they could have win ESC in 1956
Just to let you know: Italy’s “Occidentali’s Karma” is already the most viewed video ever …and by far!
Italy was already a hit before ESC and has charted in many countries already, including Sweden.
I expect it will be an even bigger hit after tonight.
Update on winning probabilities in % from 15:30 GMT according to odds (adjusted to 100%, averaged). 28.8 Portugal Salvador Sobral – Amar Pelos Dois 28.2 Italy Francesco Gabbani – Occidentali’s Karma 19.5 Bulgaria Kristian Kostov – Beautiful Mess 4.5 Belgium Blanche – City Lights 2.5 Sweden Robin Bengtsson – I Can’t Go On 2.4 United Kingdom Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You 2.2 Romania Ilinca feat. Alex… – Yodel It! 1.4 Croatia Jacques Houdek – My Friend 1.1 Moldova SunStroke Project – Hey, Mamma! 1.0 France Alma – Requiem 1.1 Armenia Artsvik – Fly With Me 0.8 Netherlands… Read more »
Whoever thinks the UK are 6th favourites to win are living in dreamland. It’s a good UK entry. Not a Eurovision winning entry. After Brexit will Europe pick up the phone to support Lucie Jones? Maybe if she’d sung “Never Give Up On EU…”
I agree. She might profit from the jury votes due to her amazing vocals, but I’m doubting she will receive enough televotes to reach the Top 5.
Exactly. The UK song is not a winning entry, I do not think it will make top 10. Doesn’t the UK see that some countries are planning the ESC for months, recruiting best song writers, choreographers, staging directors, searching for local talent, going abroad for what they cannot kind and making a massive show. The UK will win one day, but first they have to roll their sleeves and work hard. This year was a small step in the right direction:-)
Graphic, updated:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WJJe91mhJrLeVpfRmHk5XoFT2trSyf-cVsAAbjdOjtk/pubchart?oid=1157340122&format=interactive
I still think Gabbani wil win it!
People give the bookies too much credit. They haven’t always had the best track record.
2006: Favourite Greece – Anna Vissi & Belgium – Kate Ryan, Winner Finland – Lordi
2007: Favourite Switzerland – DJ Bobo, Winner Serbia – Marija Serifovic
2010: Favourite Azerbaijan – Safura, Winner Germany – Lena
2011: Favourite France – Amaury Vassili, Winner Azerbaijan – Ell/Nikki
2014: Favourite Sweden – Sanna Nielsen & Armenia – Aram MP3, Winner Austria – Conchita
2016: Favourite Russia – Sergey Lazarev, Winner Ukraine – Jamala
To sum up, the act who performs best on the night will slay!
I don’t know if we should give them a lot or little credit, but following them is fun in itself
Ten years is long enough (Serbia 2007). Time for a (99%) non-English song to win. Italy and Portugal are fighting it out at the top of the bookies’ boards (right now, they are split, with Salvador a slight advantage). If Hungary steals it, that would be fine with me. I think Belgium and the Netherlands will knock each other out of the running, because they are both in the final, and some will choose one while some will choose the other. If the East rises and is almost single-minded with their choice, while the West has trouble choosing one or… Read more »
Bookies have Ukraine finishing next-to-last, and Spain last. I think UKR will do slightly better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if SPA escapes the very bottom.
To add to this, I’m a bit worried about Portugal, because they have never finished in the top 5. Maybe Salvador will get very lucky, and a flood of votes will come his way. Nobody thought Austria would ever win again, since their last win beforehand was in 1966.
Well.. last year a non-english song won.
Not nearly as non-English as what Italy and Portugal are sending. The opening and 2nd verses of Jamala’s song is in English. Pretty close to 50/50.
Last year i was a big fan of Jamala but i really have to say, that i am a little bit disapointed about this year eurovusion song conteat especially about stage, hosts, show program… Stage really looks like one cheap junior eurovision stage… And venue is small, and its not enough people in parter… And so on… I would also like to say that last times wiwiblogs became too much subjective… I am a little bit tired of pushing on some performers and hateing others… +fans please dont be that childish about argueing who will win and so on, it… Read more »
A journalist who has ‘reliable’ inside sources is saying on Twitter that Portugal, the UK and Bulgaria have topped the jury vote with Italy not in the top 5. I was sceptical at first but he apparently said that Australia and Ukraine would top the jury vote last year and he was right then so who knows?
https://twitter.com/BradTheLadLong/status/863380343117795328
Well, Australia and Ukraine was not hard to guess last year.
I think that Bulgaria topped the jury vote. He was amazing on the night and delivereda very confident and at the same time vulnerable performance. His song is much harder to sing than the other two top contenders and vocally he killed it.
I am so grateful we will know the results soon… I literary cannot take the suspense anymore.
I think you should take it with punch of salt!
Saw their twitter page. The probability of that polish page that has been spammed being more true is 100%…
If you do not see that some of the songs at ESC are just plastic then you are not true music lovers… It is not a question of taste or snobbery. Tell me, how is it even possible that a musician (?) that I just found out about is famous for selling winning songs for different countries? I cannot begin to understand how a country would buy a song from a random composer from another country and then enter the contest to represent the nation. I would be ashamed if my country did that! That is why ESC sounds like… Read more »
Win or lose, Festival da Cançao will interesting to watch next year.
Armenians are not Gypsies. Borat is not Armenian but Kazakh. Armenians have no trolls they are a good diaspora. Armenians are Whites and Aryans. Russians and Ukrainians are Mongols. Israel and Turkey are not Europe.
My Prediction of tonight’s result:
1. Bulgaria
2. Italy
3. Portugal
4. Sweden
5. Belgium
6. Romania
7. United Kingdom
8. Armenia
9. Greece
10. Hungary
11. Croatia
12. Azerbaijan
13. The Netherlands
14. Austria
15. Moldova
16. France
17. Ukraine
18. Poland
19. Denmark
20. Israel
21. Belarus
22. Australia
23. Cyprus
24. Norway
25. Germany
26. Spain
Hope I’m right cause Bulgaria is my second favourite song of the final (UK 1st) , I also wouldn’t mind Italy winning but I really don’t like the Portuguese song.
Portugal will win… is in an unbeaten rising everywhere.
Again you!
No, it’s not unbeaten. He’s neck to neck!
Thankfully we have a real show this year, and nothing is certain until the results come out. Bulgaria is superb, Italy still remains the uuprecedented Youtube success and there are dark horses like Armenia and Belgium, which can also surprise us.
My winners:
1. Italy
2. UK
3. Austria
I also wouldn’t mind seeing as a winner: Poland, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Romania, Norway, Netherlands, Belarus, Belgium, Portugal, France and, of course, Croatia!
Bulgaria and Sweden are good, but not winning good.
Anyway, best of luck to everyone!
Why not mention the press voting at the jury final?
Italy won with 100 points followed by Portugal and 99, and then Bulgaria with 90. Could be interesting to read for the readers and the result..
Hilarious parody on the world of Eurovision. A must-watch 😀 http://www.luckytv.nl/going-on-stage/
Hilarious parody on the world of Eurovision. A must-watch 😀
The problem with peripheral countries is that they don´t have the massive bloc vote of the neighbours (Nordic countries, Balkans, central Europe, etc. ) so it is very difficult for countries like Portugal to win the televote.
I hope that everybody that is in love with Salvador’s song votes as many times as they can. that´s the only chance.
Tell that to Austria and Germany. They typically diner have many friends in the Televote yet both won. In my view friends will help you up the table but won’t secure you a win.
yes but they definitely help. That’s why western europe is always at the bottom of the table, unless they bring something really good….
Actually since 2009 and jury introduction Eastern countries have only won twice: in 2011 and 2017.
Australia would have won last year. it had only 23 points less. Vote bias for Ukraine is in the order of 70 points per voting (140 in total), so there you go!!!!! A western nation has to be much better than an eastern bloc nation to achieve the same results….
So Armenia and Bulgaria gonna get the most of voting from former Soviet countries,Russia is out
Balkans gonna vote for Croatia and Italy
Nordics will vote for Sweden for sure
Western European countries will vote for
Portugal,France and Belgium
Central Europe probably for Hungary
Portugal Italy Bulgaria Armenia Sweden
One of those countries are going to win
Balkans gonna vote more for Bulgaria and Hungary instead Croatia and Italy
Central Europe will vote more for Poland instead for Hungary.
Please Europe vote for Lucie from UK a deserved top 10 song.
I will vote for Lucie and I really hope she gets into top 10. That would restore the faith of British people to ESC and EBU.
Thanks Colin, fingers crossed she does
I’m sorry Colin but foremost it would be better for BBC to wipe glasses at last and turn back on their countless musical talents who tries to do best by themselves. Kind of Eesti laul reiteration would raise interest for UK entries. I desperately want that to happen because I love british music scene, both underground and renown. Just let them in and work on invites, BBC.