Eurovision 2018 semi final allocation draw big five portugal

The Eurovision 2018 semi-final allocation draw took place on January 29, live from Lisbon. Once again, the allocation draw determines two key aspects of the semi-finals for this year’s contest.

The draw first assigns the Big Five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) and host country Portugal to vote in a specific semi-final. The second part of the draw then assigns the remaining 37 countries to perform in a semi-final, and in which half.

The running order of the shows from there then will be determined by host broadcaster RTP, once all songs are submitted in March.

Today’s draw was hosted by two of our hosts for the contest itself in May. Filomena Cautela and Silvia Alberto handled proceedings and gave us a taste of what to expect for the shows itself. You can see all the results of today’s draw below:

Big Five and Portugal

First Semi-Final (May 8)

  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • United Kingdom

Second Semi-Final (May 10)

    • France
    • Germany
    • Italy

(RAI asked the EBU for permission to vote in the second semi-final)

Eurovision 2018 Semi-Finals: Allocation Draw

First Semi-Final (May 8)

First Half

  • Belarus
  • Bulgaria
  • Lithuania
  • Albania
  • Czech Republic
  • Belgium
  • Iceland
  • Azerbaijan
  • Israel
  • Estonia

Second Half

  • Switzerland
  • Finland
  • Austria
  • Ireland
  • Armenia
  • Cyprus
  • Croatia
  • Greece
  • FYR Macedonia

Second Semi-Final (May 10)

First Half

  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Denmark
  • Romania
  • Australia
  • Norway
  • Moldova
  • San Marino
  • The Netherlands

Second Half

  • Montenegro
  • Sweden
  • Hungary
  • Malta
  • Latvia
  • Georgia
  • Poland
  • Slovenia
  • Ukraine

There’s a number of things of note in the draw. Russia perform for the first time ever in the second semi-final — where they’re joined by Ukraine.

Australia continue to draw the first half of their respective semi-finals, something they’ve done ever since joining the semi’s in 2016. Iceland, meanwhile, will hope that drawing the first half of the first semi-final is good news: the last time they performed in the first half also is the last time they qualified (in 2014).

Even with the pots, there’s still some close neighbours together. The United Kingdom vote in Ireland’s semi-final (as well as Saara Aalto and Finland). Serbia and Montenegro, as well as Romania and Moldova also sit together in the second semi-final.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden also are present in the second semi-final. On the other hand, we sense that there won’t be too much love with Armenia and Azerbaijan both drawn in the first semi-final.

The draw works by first diving the countries up in to specific pots. This was done earlier in the month, with a goal to curb regional “bloc” voting.

As a brief summary, Pot One contains the Balkan countries and Switzerland. Pot Two has the Nordics and Ireland while Pot Three contains all Eastern European countries. Pot Four travels down from Hungary through to Cyprus. Pot Five is a number of leftover, more Western-leaning countries, and finally Pot Six contains the three Baltics, Belgium, Netherlands and Poland.

That’s the draw then — are you happy with where your country is set to perform? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below!

Read more Eurovision 2018 news here

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Aisling
Aisling
6 years ago

Kind of worried for Ireland, our semi is now a bloodbath, such strong songs.

BB
BB
6 years ago

Hungary will qualify. It has 3 good songs in the national final first of all. Secondly it has the diaspora with him…Serbia( where 35o.ooo hungarian live)Romania with 1.2 million hungarian, than their close friends Poland and others.It will sail through. My country Romania might struggle for the first time to qualify. There are no good songs in our national final so Romania is the flop this year.

Matthew
Matthew
6 years ago

This is how I’d order the countries

Semi Final 1
01 Lithuania
02 Belgium
03 Estonia
04 Belarus
05 Iceland
06 Azerbaijan
07 Albania
08 Czech Republic
09 Bulgaria
10 Israel
11 Armenia
12 Austria
13 FYR Macedonia
14 Switzerland
15 Cyprus
16 Ireland
17 Croatia
18 Finland
19 Greece

Semi Final 2
01 Moldova
02 Norway
03 Russia
04 San Marino
05 Denmark
06 Romania
07 The Netherlands
08 Australia
09 Serbia
10 Hungary
11 Montenegro
12 Sweden
13 Georgia
14 Latvia
15 Malta
16 Ukraine
17 Slovenia
18 Poland

Ru
Ru
6 years ago

Poor Iceland 🙁

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Neighbor-wise, the first semi’s got Croatia and Macedonia, Lithuania and Estonia, Ireland and the UK, Finland and Iceland (and Finland’s also probably gonna get some love from Ireland and the UK, as others have noted), and of course, the infamous Greece and Cyprus. They aren’t as reliable as people think – Cyprus has gone to the final over Greece, Greece has gone to the final over Cyprus multiple times, and the first time in ages that they both got to the final saw them giving their 12 points to Italy, so who even knows what they’ll do this time. I’m… Read more »

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Also! If (as I’m pretty sure most people are predicting) DoReDos represent Moldova, that’s a hefty serving of Eastern points for them, aside from the traditional Romanian courtesy. Russia, in particular, has got Kirkorov’s back.
(Side note: Kirkorov is a modern Eurovision Svengali, but does anyone remember the one time he competed himself? He was AWFUL and finished near the bottom. Somehow he was dressed conservatively by his standards. And who’d he lose to? Norway!)

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I cried when Il Volo got those 12 points from Greece and Cyprus. Pure love.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

2nd semi confirms what I’ve been thinking: Waylon is gonna have to BRING IT if he’s coming at it solo. I don’t think he’d like to admit it, but part of what made “Calm After the Storm” so great (and why it’s my favorite song from that year) was the chemistry with Ilse DeLange. Their voices blended perfectly, and it was a nice counterpoint to the more intense Austrian and Swedish numbers it finished between. Waylon needs to have a seriously good song or he’ll get lost in the shuffle.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I’m bit worried for Albania, but I think he’ll go through, lots of “friends” in there and the song is strong. I’m happy for Latvia; Go Esamiba!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

This is trouble for Azerbaijan, btw. I’ve been thinking, Albania is just fine, it’s actually a good draw for Eugent.
In the 2nd semi-final: Poland, Hungary or Ukraine, I think at least one of these three will flop.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Whew so I’m gonna vote in the… more hyped semi? Sweden better send In My Havana oh na na and snatch my Italian televotes.

Mony
Mony
6 years ago

Qualification rate of all participating countries, since the introduction of the semifinal (2004-2017): from SEMI 1: Azerbaijan 100% (9/9) Greece 91% (10/11) Armenia 90% (9/10) Croatia 55% (6/11) Iceland 54% (7/13) Israel 54% (7/13) Lithuania 54% (7/13) Austria 50% (4/8) Cyprus 50% (6/12) Albania 46% (6/13) Finland 46% (6/13) Ireland 42% (5/12) Belgium 38% (5/13) Belarus 36% (5/14) Estonia 36% (5/14) Macedonia 36% (5/14) Bulgaria 27% (3/11) Switzerland 23% (3/13) Czech Republic 17% (1/6) from SEMI 2: Romania 100% (10/10) Russia 100% (9/9) Ukraine 100% (10/10) Australia 100% (2/2) Sweden 89% (8/9) Hungary 82% (9/11) Norway 73% (8/11) Georgia 70%… Read more »

EuroFan mexico
EuroFan mexico
6 years ago
Reply to  Mony

Good job Mony

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
6 years ago

Feels like a good draw, except they should have just split Greece-Cyprus & Moldova-Romania. Semi 2 is a bloodbath with the traditionally strong countries edging out the weaker ones. Semi is is fresh, so this is where the quality of the song will really help out in reaching the finals. I’ll reserve further judgement once all the songs & singers have been revealed, but this is exciting

Elvis
Elvis
6 years ago

If ??Latvia sends MADARA they’ll be the winners of Esc 2018. And win the second semi final, but I think ??Sweden and ??Australia can send songs that may win the second semi final. In the first semifinal I think ??Armenia and ??Belgium will battle for the victory. And maybe ??Finland with Saara Aalto.

EuGr
EuGr
6 years ago

Great draw for Greece, Cyprus and Albania in the same semi

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Semi final 1 qualifiers: Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic(if Mikolas wins),Belgium, Azerbaijan, Armenia(if Tamar or Asmik win), Cyprus(if Eleni goes), Estonia(if Elina wins), Finland and Croatia. Border line – Austria, Macedonia, Switzerland

Semi final 2: Russia, Ukraine, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia(if Esamiba wins), Denmark, Serbia, Hungary
border line: Slovenia, Norway and San Marino

I think Romania and Greece won’t qualify this year! Maybe even Russia or Hungary. I know it’s stupid to make preditctions this early but still

Monique
Monique
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Are you for real? Latvia, Slovenia, San Marino qualifying instead of Romania? Shall I remind you their previous non qualifications? Or 2 years ago when no Nordic countries qualified, except Sweden… Estonia and Finland…no qualification in the past 2-3 years, what R U talking about? Just because it’s Saara Aalto it doesn’t mean it’s a sure qualifier, besides UK and some Nordic countries she’s unknown in most of the other countries… Wait for the songs before making ridiculous assumptions!

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Monique

My opinion wasn’t really based on the history, but rather what I feel it will happen, Romania doesn’t have a single good song this year(since Safari is out) + Latvia has Esamiba, which can even win ESC in my opinion, San Marino is really trying this year, Slovenia has some promising acts in EMA. About Saara yeah name means nothing, but she has a great team behind her + Finland is actually really trying too.

Geo
Geo
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Romania passed the semifinal even when their entries were not that good (2008, 2009, 2011, 2015)…

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

2011 was not good? It passed without any problems. In 2008 and 2009 Romania was close to miss the final, if I’m not wrong in 2009 Romania came in 9th in the semi-final and I think that the 10th spot was given by a jury, not necessarily to the 10th place.

Marx
Marx
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

I would say that Russia is out because they chose to send Julia Samoylova again and her last song was just horrendously bad.. I doubt that it will be any better.

Marx
Marx
6 years ago
Reply to  Marx

*it will be any better this time.

Akmens
Akmens
6 years ago
Reply to  Marx

Don’t underestimate the pity votes and the neighbor/diaspora votes, cause Russia is going to get both of those this year. For Russia, a high score is almost always guaranteed.

DarkpassionPlay
DarkpassionPlay
6 years ago

Bulgaria and Belgium are looking really strong in this semi , they should be the favorites to qualy along with Finland and Albania (yes Albania … i like Mall so shut up :D)

DarkpassionPlay
DarkpassionPlay
6 years ago

the 2nd semi is survival of the fittest , let them eat each other… 😀 You got the scandinavian cartel , so it wont be easy for the rest …

paul
paul
6 years ago

Who cares about the draw. When a song is good it will qualify. Portugal won BOTH jury and televote, with a song in its national language and having ONLY 1 neighbour country..

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago
Reply to  paul

“When a song is good it will qualify”. Tell that to Greta Salome.

Bella
Bella
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

Well apparently since it didn’t qualify, Europe didn’t think it was good ?????

Jerusalem 2019
Jerusalem 2019
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

“Hear them calling” wasn’t that good imo. I never understood the hype around it.

Ag
Ag
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

The song was not really good and the staging was horrible. The fact she came 13th with both televote and jury (with 20plus points, so almost nothing) tells you that outside narrow Eurovision community the song was not accepted as good or worth going through.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

Or to Norma John.

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  paul

Greece 2017 was a good song for sure……………

Elfi IraZef
Elfi IraZef
6 years ago

Great hosts!
As Salvador said, music is what matters, so stop complaining about the draw, send good songs and probably your country will qualify!

Cobra863
Cobra863
6 years ago

I’d love to see San Marino and Montenegro qualifying, unfortunately it is very unlikely this year. Oh, and Georgia seems to go in the same direction than 2014, Iriao is a good contender for last place…

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

I’m glad Ireland are out of their bad luck first half slot in the second semi-final. The last two times Ireland have been in the second half of the first semi, they qualified both times (2012, 2013) so hopefully it’s a good omen

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

Pretty much every pair of countries that needed to be separated are together. Greece-Cyprus, Romania-Moldova, Russia-Ukraine, Armenia-Azerbaijan, Uk-Ireland, Italy-San Marino…

But honestly both semis look pretty interesting to me. I’m glad so many “giants” are together in semi 2, ’cause they’ll free spots for countries who don’t have the easiest time based on name, but might send interesting stuff.

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

russia will lose their 100% qualification record this year. the draw is bad, and they are sending a weak artist (yulia) probably with a non-interesting song like flame is burning.

Penguin
Penguin
6 years ago

Poor Latvia..

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Penguin

Hey, if they send “Esamiba” I wouldn’t worry.

Penguin
Penguin
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Even if they do, I’m still skeptical..

SebastienXavier
SebastienXavier
6 years ago

Albania in the first half? Little worried about their result now. Not sure if people would forget that song after the whole show.

pp
pp
6 years ago

Albania have good draw they have Macedonia,Greece,Switzerland, Austria , Croatia in their semi

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago
Reply to  pp

The problem with Albania is that they completely flop in every country without a sizeable Albanian diaspora, and have done so ever since 2013. I doubt Mall is good enough to change that.

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
6 years ago

They will

nostradamco
nostradamco
6 years ago

EBU baby Australia will go to final, thank to overrated points from juries.

Nikos
Nikos
6 years ago
Reply to  nostradamco

Sadly true as we saw last year. Hopefully their song and performance is more deserving this year at least

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Nikos

They deserved it in 2016, less so last year. At least 2017 proved that it’s all about the song – Dami Im skyrocketed, Isaiah tanked, and I think that all comes back to the song. Except for de facto neighbors UK and Ireland (and pop-friendly Sweden seems to have taken a liking to them), they don’t have a reliable source of points like the neighbors do. Like other countries with no neighbors (so…Israel, basically), they just need to bring it in order to get anywhere. I think Jessica Mauboy can do that, hopefully.

Jukka
Jukka
6 years ago

Now i get why Ireland is in the same pot as the Nordics. That is to prevent Ireland from being in the same semi as Finland and voting Finland with Saara Aalto… Im glad they got to the same semi tho. I guess the EBU hates Finland…

Coco
Coco
6 years ago
Reply to  Jukka

The pots are based on voting patterns from the previous years, though

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Coco

The Nordic countries (especially Denmark and Sweden) and Ireland have been very kind to each other over the years – they did a lot to help Ireland along their monster winning streak in the ‘90s (plus two of those wins were in Malmö and Oslo).

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Ireland could be considered an unofficial/Associated Nordic. After the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark and Norway would probably be our next best voting partners. Usually give us some decent points, (Obviously not the big 12, thats usually reserved for each other ;)) although both Denmark and Sweden gave us 12 points each in the 2011 Final.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I think they also owe Albania a debt for keeping them 5 points away from nothing in 2007. Ireland is iffy – sometimes I think they’ve gotten screwed (2009, 2014, and 2015 were all final-worthy, especially 2015), sometimes there’s something off that keeps them from going all the way (2016 wasn’t that memorable, 2017 flat-out sucked to me). I hope they know what they’re doing this year. My real wish is that they’d go back to a national final (all their winners came about that way), but I know they can’t afford it at the moment. They need to get… Read more »

Kir
Kir
6 years ago
Reply to  Jukka

EBU was wrong to put Ireland with the nordics instead of Estonia.

Marx
Marx
6 years ago
Reply to  Kir

Actually I think it was a better choice because 1. Ireland usually votes mainly for UK and for different Nordic countries. That is why voting pattern of Estonia and Ireland are quite similar. But unlike Estonia Irish other choice (UK) is not in semi-finals.. while Estonia’s other choices (Baltic countries and Russia) are. 2. Estonia being in different pot from Baltics actually gives bigger change for Russia to have more post-soviet countries in the same semi-final. Last year post-soviet countries were separated to 3 pots.. but now they are separated to 2.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago

I think Russia will be fine because I’m sure they’ll make a big effort as usual and they’ll get televoting points from Germany, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, Latvia, and Moldova.

SW
SW
6 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

Germany giving high points to Russia? It happened in 2015 (while Russia did not win their televoting/jury) and televoting in 2016.
Montenegro have never given Russia twelve points, jury or televoting.

So, not sure whether Russia will be fine.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago
Reply to  SW

Germany also gave high televoting points to Russia in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2011. This is because a lot of Russians and Russian speakers live in Germany. Also, Montenegro gave 10 televoting points to Russia in 2016, 7 points in 2015, and 12 points in 2014.

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  SW

Russia will always be fine, regardless what they send 😉 Might even get Top 10 they will be THAT fine.:D

Would be nice to see someone else qualify for a change though.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I smell drama on the 2nd semifinal…

Janro
Janro
6 years ago

To be honest, we can’t really say that Semi Final 2 will definitely be the strongest as we only know two songs thus far and both of them don’t compete in that semi final. It all depends on the songs. If countries like Norway, Denmark, Russia, Ukraine, Australia and Sweden muck it up with the song it could open the door to other countries like San Marino, Slovenia or Latvia. Who knows what could happen! All I can say is that I can already visualise Mikolas Josef opening the first semi final with a bang if he is picked! He… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  Janro

I have the same feeling that Mikolas will open the first semifinal. It’s pretty much the kind of act that EBU choses to open the shows.

TheStellarSeacow
TheStellarSeacow
6 years ago
Reply to  Janro

Yes. “Lie to Me” if the staging is really kinetic would be a perfect opener, if chosen, for semifinal one. It’s up beat and catchy. Also would wake everyone up. It would also be an adventitious spot for the Czech Republic to be placed in (that way if we end up with more uptempo songs then ballads in that half it will stand out more). Honestly I’m always rooting for the Czech Republic to qualify.

SW
SW
6 years ago
Reply to  Janro

Don’t forget Hungary and Netherlands in semi 2 :x.
Such a bloodbath.

Janro
Janro
6 years ago
Reply to  SW

I’ll give you Hungary but the Netherlands still isn’t an obvious qualifier when it comes to Eurovision. They have qualified 4 times in 10 years… that still isn’t great odds.

Anyone could get through that semi. I don’t think block voting is as big as it once was.

Radko
Radko
6 years ago
Reply to  Janro

All of those 4 times were in the past 5 years:
2013: 6th
2014: 1st
2015: 14th
2016: 5th
2017: 4th

Those are some huge scores (except 2015). With the fact that Waylon is an extraordinary artist, the NL is a definite Q.

SebastienXavier
SebastienXavier
6 years ago
Reply to  Janro

Albania in the first half? Little worried about their result now. Not sure if people would forget that song after the whole show.

Frifri
Frifri
6 years ago

Latvia is alone in the semi final 2 + in a bloodbath… well, like always, nothing new. 😀

why?
why?
6 years ago

Greece + Cyprus = first semi
Romania + Moldova = second semi
Are these for real? What is the point of these allocation draws?
No friends-separation at all.

why?
why?
6 years ago
Reply to  why?

Kirkorov is one happy guy right now. If Doredos wins in Moldova, they will be in the same semi with Romania. Moldova is in the final in 2018.
Such silly system.

Geo.
Geo.
6 years ago
Reply to  why?

Stop complaining, the last time Romania and Moldova were in the same semifinal was in 2015, and before that in 2012! It’s not like it’s happening each and every year… On the other hand, Greece + Cyprus and Serbia + Montenegro were in the same semifinal last year, too… I don’t see the hype, really when 2 countries support each other. How about 5-6 countries constantly voting for each other? Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, and even Ukraine all vote for Russia, and exchange votes between them (except Armenia and Azerbaijan). Same thing about the Nordics, generously exchanging points (Finland, Iceland,… Read more »

SW
SW
6 years ago

Bloodbath semi 2 :p.

Russia
Romania
Australia
Norway
Netherlands
Sweden
Hungary
Poland
Ukraine

These 9 have had very good placings the past few years. Not counted Serbia/Denmark/Moldova/Latvia.
Malta is quite chanceless with such a weak selection I fear :(.

Russia has a bad draw. A lot of countries that do vote for Russia, are in semi 1.
3/5 Scandinavian countries in semi 2, which is good for them, but also for the Netherlands. Germany and France vote in semi 2 as well, so that ain’t bad news for Waylon.

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago
Reply to  SW

Sweden, Australia, and Russia are pretty much guaranteed qualifiers. Latvia frequently delivers as well (Last year was completely the weak staging’s fault). I’m expecting them to do better this year (Aminata, where are you?)
Malta stands abosultely no chance while the rest is a question of the song(/staging) they’ll be competing with.

SW
SW
6 years ago
Reply to  Napaw

Latvia delivers frequently? 2015, a bit in 2016 and…….?????

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago
Reply to  SW

2015 was mind blowing, 2016 was amazing, 2017 was an amazing song followed by bad choices in terms of staging, outfits and the performance.

MrBrightside
MrBrightside
6 years ago
Reply to  Napaw

Screeching ‘where we draw the line’ hundred times isn’t amazing. I wasn’t surprised they came dead last.

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago

The second semi is going to be very interesting. :p

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Somehow the 2nd semi final seems more diverse than the 1st. Also, as we’ve seen in previous years, the block voting doesn’t disappear. 1st semi: Greece and Cyprus, U.K. and Ireland, Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria. You actually see here many balkan countries gathered in the 1st semi. I’m really optimistic about Cyprus, as we know now Eleni Foureira will represent the island with a really good song. If that is the case, another qualification is coming for them. Also, Finland with Estonia, Iceland and the U.K. That’s really good is Sara comes up with a great song here. 2nd semi:… Read more »

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

No chance here for Ireland.

When you take into account the countries that always qualify (Azerbaijan, Armenia) plus the two neighbours (Greece, Cyprus) plus the countries that have been doing well lately (Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Israel, Croatia) and then of course Finland is gunna qualify this year with Saara. Ireland has no chance before we even reveal our song. May as well not show up at all this year.

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I wouldn’t consider Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Israel and Croatia as sure qualifiers just because of their latest successes in the contest. Ireland can make it to the final with a decent song I believe. I don’t think first semi is that hard as you considered, it all depends on the songs after all. Let’s see what RTE will come up with in the end, perhaps they will surprise us.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Croatia barely qualified in 2016 and Austria had mixed method of qualifying ( One year jury/ the other televoting)
Be happy you’re not in semi 2

bfs
bfs
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I think Ireland suffers the same issue that the UK & Spain has (and until recently what France, Belgium & The Netherlands had). That being that Europe knows some fantastic music comes from Ireland & Irish music does quite well across Europe, why would people vote for it when they know you guys can do better than your Eurovision entries have been? I honestly think if Ireland upped their game they would sail through to the finals. I mean the only reason Ireland came last in the 2013 final was the stupid system they trialed that year (I believe you… Read more »

Frisian esc
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

So you’d rather have been in the second semi final? Wanna switch with the netherlands?

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Well, due to previous results, I always suspect that the Irish entry will be borderline. Even with a decent song when we Do actually manage to qualify its usually placed 8-10, and when we dont qualify its usually 12th.

As good as Portugal was last year, I fear their victory was a Germany 2010 kind of moment. Unlikely to happen again for a while. But time will tell.

Semi 2 will be really interesting though, with Russia, Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Australia (Who will qualify) going head to head.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I should note that while Ireland and the UK are pretty generous with their points, Ireland has seldom given the UK maximum points (except for their win in 97 and…get this…1966), and the UK didn’t help Ireland any the two times they came last.

Coco
Coco
6 years ago

Yes, now Eurovision can really start! So excited!

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago

The UK and Ireland can vote in the same semi-final as Lithuania? Well, we know where those 24 televote points are going…

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

And Finland’s Saara Aalto is there as well. X Factor UK fans are used to voting for her. 🙂

Noel Hoffmann
Noel Hoffmann
6 years ago

This is good for Hungary.
I think Serbia, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Denmark and Germany surely will vote for us. Maybe Slovenia… And other countries…
And we are same semi final with Georgia, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, San MArino, Moldova. Russia has Julia Samoylova. And we have some stong song (Viszlát nyár, Azt mondtad, I let you run away, Crack my code).

Cobra863
Cobra863
6 years ago

Yay, SF1 might allow countries with bad fortunes like Czech Republic, FYR Macedonia, Ireland, Iceland, Switzerland and Albania to go through 😀

olvr20
olvr20
6 years ago

Finally Finland is in the second half. So far we have been there only once before, and then we got the earliest slot possible haha

Esc Fan
Esc Fan
6 years ago

Serbia needs a freaking good song if we want to qualify!! This will be so hard!!!!

Maros
Maros
6 years ago

If UK vote in SF 1, Finland will qualify for sure 😛

Maros
Maros
6 years ago
Reply to  Maros

*votes

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Maros

Finland has nearly already qualified !!
Minimum guaranteed televote: 12+12+8+8+6+5+5(UK/Ireland/Estonia/Iceland/Belgium/Austria/Switzerland)…. that’s 56 points in the bag

8+8+8+8(UK/Ireland/Estonia/Iceland) jury ….. that’s 32 more

All they need is 50 odd points from the rest of the sources and there are 31 more sources left so literally 2 points from the rest on average will do it for them.

Coco
Coco
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

But we haven’t even heard her song yet and I doubt any casual Eurovision viewer outside of the UK, Ireland or Finland know her. As a Belgian, I can say that no one here knows Saara Aalto.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Coco

Her song will be current and pop….and since Belgians have taste…they will give current songs points….no doubt about it.

Coco
Coco
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

You’re definitely right about Belgians having good taste! 😉 I’m so curious, can’t wait till we know all the songs

Cambell Grace
Cambell Grace
6 years ago

Also I feel like if Russia could be strangely in trouble here. I mean Georgia and Ukraine both hate Russia, and the rest are Western countries. Even Latvia haven’t been that generous towards them recently either.

Noel Hoffmann
Noel Hoffmann
6 years ago
Reply to  Cambell Grace

Ukrainian government hate Russia, but not people. And in Ukraine live 8 millions Russian.

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago
Reply to  Noel Hoffmann

People in Ukraine also hate Russia (government), but not the people in Russia (well, not the ones that behave normal). Anyway Samoilova is not Lazarev. She wouldn’t get 12 points from Ukraine.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Cambell Grace

Both jury will give Russia 0 but the televote from there will give Russia atleast 20 points!!

bfs
bfs
6 years ago
Reply to  Cambell Grace

I can see what you mean about Russia actually having a bad draw here. There’s quite a lot of countries here that always qualify or qualify 90% of the time firstly. Plus a lot of Russia’s biggest voters are in semi final 1 (Belarus, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Israel, Estonia, Armenia, Cyprus & Greece, could maybe add Lithuania and Czech Republic but they seem to have gone off Russia more recently) and in SF2 they’ve only really got Serbia & Latvia to depend on (possibly some televote points from Ukraine & Moldova too, both those countries juries will on purposely not vote… Read more »

Cambell Grace
Cambell Grace
6 years ago
Reply to  bfs

And sources have claimed minutes ago that Julia Samoylova will indeed represent Russia. Yikes…

bfs
bfs
6 years ago
Reply to  Cambell Grace

I think if she has a good song she will be fine, I would prefer her to have a song in Russian since she sings way better in her native language.

TBF I knew she was going to be going as soon as Russia agreed to let Channel 1 have another pop this year since they were potentially going to be giving it the other broadcaster that does even years.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Semi 2 has Russia , Ukraine , Romania , Sweden , Australia , Poland , Hungary Netherlands, Serbia, and Norway.
( Total no. Of non qualifications from these in the last 5 years is 4)
Sorry San Marino

Semi-1 only has Armenia, Azerbaijan and Greece!!
Bulgaria and Belgium have been doing really well recently.

Opens up opportunity here for Ireland, Macedonia and Finland and Iceland to come through.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Kris

But what it means is that the possibility of an upset is very high!! Countries in semi 2 better up their game!!

Rene
Rene
6 years ago

Bad news for Slovenia 🙁

Velorin
Velorin
6 years ago

Semi 1 is full with filler countries, should be easy for the usual qualifiers if they send a decent song

pi
pi
6 years ago

Poland is screwed. The UK wont be able to vote.

bfs
bfs
6 years ago
Reply to  pi

Ireland, Czech Republic & Lithuania being in SF2 won’t help either.

To be fair if they have a good song they can get through again easily so I wouldn’t call it yet lol

bfs
bfs
6 years ago
Reply to  bfs

SF1*

chanson
chanson
6 years ago
Reply to  pi

Actually, I think this will be the first time since Poland came back that they will be cut off from both UK’s and Ireland’s votes in the semi.

kitty
kitty
6 years ago

OMG czech republic WILL go to the final. EASYYYYYYY

AdaMc
AdaMc
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

I hope sooooo ! <3

Cambell Grace
Cambell Grace
6 years ago

Cyprus and Greece in SF1 together as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Moldova and Romania in SF2 together.

Seriously…

Cambell Grace
Cambell Grace
6 years ago
Reply to  Cambell Grace

Ukraine and Russia in SF2 might be a laugh though, it’ll be interesting to see how they vote considering the last time they were in a semi-final together was in 2014 when this whole political nonsense had just started.

kitty
kitty
6 years ago

Thank god Iceland is in first semi, they might have a chance.

Cambell Grace
Cambell Grace
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

I think they wouldn’t stand a chance in either semi-final if I’m honest based on their songs in their national final.

Antranig Shokayan
Editor
6 years ago

Both semi finals could be called a bloodbath honestly. Saara Aalto + usual qualifiers like Azerbaijan, Armenia and Greece as well as countries who are doing well of late like Bulgaria + countries with some promising NF songs like Czech Republic and Switzerland make Semi 1 as formidable as Semi 2.

We should have two great competitive shows!

Coco
Coco
6 years ago

But tbh, does anyone outside of Finland or the UK know Saara Aalto?

Jonathan
Jonathan
6 years ago
Reply to  Coco

Yes Ireland viewed X factor Uk aswell

Aaran
Aaran
6 years ago

I know that there are still tons of entries to be revealed but I think it’s very likely that Czech Republic will open the first semi final if Mikolas Josef is chosen.

Frisian esc
6 years ago
Reply to  Aaran

Iceland with gold digger is also an option