Moldova SunStroke Project O melodie pentru Europa 2018 song submissions

The mid-September deadline has passed, meaning that every country who is considering entering Eurovision 2018 will have filed their application with the EBU. Since then we’ve seen a flood of confirmations, making a total of 37 countries planning for Lisbon. But there are some notable absences from that list. Let’s take a look at the countries who are yet to publicly confirm their participation next year.

Not all countries who are intending to participate in Eurovision 2018 have made this news public yet. Some may be holding off until they have more details about their participation sorted out, and others may currently be focusing on their Junior Eurovision entry. But it is also possible that some of them won’t be on board for 2018.

Hungary

Some fans are worrying that Hungary hasn’t confirmed yet, but in recent years they have waited until October to confirm. After a top-ten finished in Kyiv (and two other top-ten results in recent years), it would be very unusual for Hungary to drop out. There have been rumours that the national final A Dal may be revamped and drop the semi-finals, but this hasn’t been confirmed either.

Update: Good news! The Hungarian broadcaster has confirmed they’ll be in Lisbon. Hungary will again use the national final A Dal.

Israel

After the Israeli points spokesperson’s dramatic farewell in May, it seemed that we’d never see Israel in Eurovision ever again. But things aren’t that bad. Israel’s new public broadcaster IPBC is in the middle of applying for EBU membership, but even if that’s not confirmed in time for Eurovision 2018, the EBU and IPBC have a temporary agreement that will still let Israel serve Middle East realness in Lisbon.

Update: Another confirmation! Shortly after we published our post today, Israel’s new broadcaster IPBC (KAN) confirmed that it will participate at Eurovision 2018! They will use again the national final Rising Star.

FYR Macedonia

Macedonian Radio Television has not officially confirmed their participation in Eurovision 2018, but the show is part of their 2018 line-up. It just seems like it wouldn’t be much fun to watch the show without participating as well.

Moldova

Following the Sunstroke Project’s third-place finish in Kyiv — Moldova’s best ever result! — fans are expecting Moldova to be back. Broadcaster TRM usually takes their time before they announce their participation, so we’re expecting something in the coming weeks. There’s no word whether national final O melodie pentru Europa will be back, but its one of our favourites, so we hope so.

Russia

Russia, are you in or out? Earlier in the year, broadcasters Channel One and Russia-1 assured Eurovision fans that Russia would be back in 2018 and that Julia Samoylova would be given the chance to represent her country. But since then, Julia hasn’t heard from either broadcaster and there’s been no public confirmation of Russia’s participation in Lisbon. But this is very Russia. We expect they’ll confirm when the time suits them.

Update: While the Russian broadcaster still hasn’t confirmed, an interview with Jon Ola Sand from May suggests Russia will very much be returning. And rumours suggest this is so.

San Marino

Last year it looked like San Marino might not be back for another year — then they showed up at the last minute with Valentina Monetta, Jimmie Wilson and a Ralph Siegel disco number. This year, there have been no rumoured acts, just gloomy mutterings from the broadcaster’s director general that “There is no place for micro-states in the Eurovision Song Contest.” We’d like to see San Marino back, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they take a break this season.

Other countries

  • Kosovo – the EBU has confirmed that as Kosovar broadcaster RTK is not currently a member of the EBU, it is therefore ineligible to participate in Eurovision.
  • Kazakhstan, China, etc – the broadcasters of these Asian countries are only Associate Members of the EBU. So, like Australia, they would need to be especially invited to compete at Eurovision. However, they are both eligible to enter the inaugural Eurovision Asia contest.
  • United States, South Africa, etc – the broadcasters of these countries are also only associate members of the EBU. And also like with Australia, the only way they could appear in ESC is by special invitation. It is unlikely that this would extend to more than one country per year.
40 Comments
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Colin
Colin
6 years ago

With 41 countries in, and Macedonia basically having plans, now it’s only Moldova who is absolutely silent. Are they in?

Xristos
Xristos
6 years ago

https://youtu.be/isAWwP3TbpA
Top 100 songs of eurovision 2010 2017

Craig
Craig
6 years ago

Surely after third place finish this year, Moldova will be back on board?

aarnat
aarnat
6 years ago

If the number of participation are this low, I think they shoud invite the United States.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Actually Armenia has not confirmed participation and it’s a little concerning because I thought they were going to continue their selection through Depi Evratesil, but clearly the show is not happening this year since it would have started in September. Anyone know what’s going on with Yerevan?

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

They will probably participate. However, they could be disappointed after Artsvik placing 18th, and thus could not be that sure about a participation.
But, as I said, they will most likely participate, cause it’s Armenia. They love Eurovision, as Azerbaijan.

Ian Gallagher
Ian Gallagher
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Perhaps they have some financial problems, you know they’re not so good with money. But as you said they would find a way because of their big love for the contest.

cheesecake
cheesecake
6 years ago

I expect San Marino to withdraw, but the others will join the party I guess.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

My expected number is 42, with Moldova, Macedonia, Russia and Hungary probably participating and San Marino likely withdrawing. Macedonia seems the likeliest one to participate, regarding their schedule. I am wondering why Russia still hasn’t confirmed, considering they discussed it back in April. I expect them to participate, but then again, who knows. There is no apparent reason for Moldova or Hungary to withdraw, but who knows what happens in their midst.

If all of them participate, though, it will again be a record-breaking number of 43.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
6 years ago

After getting a no from Bosnia, Ralph Siegel might apply in Macedonia offering his services and horrible outdated compositions. Hopefully all countries will be there in the end. The more the merrier!

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

With Israel confirming, we have 38 confirmed countries.
Adding Moldova, Macedonia, Hungary, and Russia means 42 countries. I really don’t think that San Marino will participate, they will probably withdraw.
If Kazachstan finally debuts, we can equalize the record of 43 participating countries from years 2008 and 2011.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Yes, but as far as I know, Khabar Agency officially became an associate member of the EBU, making it possible for them to participate in the future.
They just need to be invited by the EBU and the host country Portugal, like it was in the case of Australia as well.

real@winner
real@winner
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Enough with that Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan. It’s not a member, it’s not part of the Eurozone, it’s one of those fictions made by fans, that somehow make the fans sites’ headlines year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year after year. GEEEEEz.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  real@winner

Ahahaha as if Israel is part of the Eurozone. As if Morocco was part of the Eurozone as well.. And right, Australia is part of the Eurozone, I forgot it. I’m sorry!!

x95i
x95i
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Switzerland is not in the eurozone haha

R
R
6 years ago
Reply to  real@winner

The Eurozone are the countries that have the EURO (€) as their currency.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I’m still hoping for Yulia Samoylova to represent Russia in Lisbon. Maybe she’ll sing in Russian for a change! 😀

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

It’s not gonna happen

aadm
aadm
6 years ago

UPDATE: ISRAEL CONFIRMED PARTICIPATION!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  aadm

It appears the EBU has allowed Israel’s new broadcaster to participate with membership pending, as an “exception”. Hmmm, not sure I entirely believe that. Story here:
http://esctoday.com/149399/israel-ipbc-confirms-participation-eurovision-2018/

Michael Adam
Michael Adam
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

The source for the article was a Twitter comment from the broadcaster. It’s in Hebrew but I just translated it. It says something like ‘for all those who are worried, we can now announce that we will broadcast Eurovision 2018’. My google translate didn’t say anything about participation.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Adam

Thanks for clarifying. 🙂
That makes sense.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
6 years ago
Reply to  Michael Adam

I’m from Israel
I have just read the twitt and it at least seems like we will participate
They said they will broadcast it but in the comments, somebody asked how the singer will be chosen and they said like last year, The Rising Star
Thus I assume it means we are not going anywhere 😉

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  aadm

Haha, so true. But this time with Israel, the Twitter announcement of “we will broadcast” seems more believable than EscToday’s report of participation. Anyhow, the truth will out eventually.

Another thing I noticed: Did Armenia not confirm participation yet?

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Armenia already confirmed participation recently. 🙂

Anabela
Anabela
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

If you take a look at ESCtoday’s confirmed countries list, Armenia is not included.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Armenia did not officially confirm their participation.
Their participation was just confirmed by a Portuguese website. AMP TV still needs to officially confirm that they are in Lisbon next year.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Of all these countries that haven’t confirmed yet, I believe San Marino is most likely to withdraw.
The rest wil confirm sooner or later. And Russia is definitely in for me. They are going to participate.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Israel is arguably the most interesting case on this list – let’s see if the new (or revamped) broadcaster can get its EBU membership in time. Also, if Israel are coming back, then presumably that would rule out the inclusion of a few North African countries. Or would it not? (Open question.) On a different note, Spain might be the political “talk of the town” this coming year after recent events in Catalonia. And before somebody says “Eurovision doesn’t do politics,” well… songs compete for their countries, which is by definition “political”. Also, the entire contest was founded on political… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

As if those North African countries were interested to start with.

Matty
Matty
6 years ago

Sergey is so sweet! I love him!

Csaba Wagner
Csaba Wagner
6 years ago

After FINA championship organization the Hungarian broadcaster has financial difficulities and it’s not decided yet whether there is enough money for Eurovision in next year’s budget.

Stephen Podesta
Stephen Podesta
6 years ago

Australia will withdraw from Eurovision if the asia vision is a success.
But I am thinking Asia vision will not be. Hope I am wrong.
The Eurovision was a disaster in 2017, the worst one yet, the songs got the least amount of views in History of Eurovision.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Australia already confirmed participation at the regular Eurovision in Portugal! 🙂

Michael Adam
Michael Adam
6 years ago

https://mobile.twitter.com/kann/status/915107242168475648

This Twitter post confirms Israel’s participation. At least that’s what an article on ESCToday says. My Hebrew isn’t what it used to be.

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago

I just wanted to be sure you all have seen this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjBHOvseXy0
_______________________________
So sad if these countries will not be Lisbon. Ralph Siegel were are you?…save one of these countries, but it’s not time anymore I guess.
It seems that Romania’s disqualification in 2016 has scared many countries. Many will stay away from now on.

Frisian ESC (jr)
Frisian ESC (jr)
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

None of those countries are scared… They’ll participate as usual except for maybe israel and san marino.

Daniel
Daniel
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel

To be fair, Romania couldn’t participate because when a 6 persons delegation from EBU went to negotiate the debt, Romanian government said it is not interested, and this made EBU mad. I understand EBU!!!! That time, Romanian government was run by the the prime-minister Ciolos (Romanian relative of George Soros), a person without any interest to reach an agreement.
Bottom line…as long as we will not know figures, we have nothing.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Hungary and Moldova would be dumb to retire after a huge year for them. I’m expecting all of these to participate, even San Marino.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Since the deadline has passed, they would’ve announced the break already, which means they will all probably be back in 2018.