He was the winner of our pre-contest fan poll and his elimination from the second semi-final of Latvia’s Supernova left many fans furrowing their brows.

But today Supernova producers admitted that they experienced technical difficulties during the show, which they believe could have interfered with the results. So good news for all you fans of “This Time” — Markus will sing it in the final after all.

Organisers explain that there was misleading information about contestants in the online voting — a picture of Riga Reggae appeared above the link to Ritvars’ song, which may have led to extra votes for the bespectacled singer.

After discussing the situation, producers of Supernova decided to annul the online votes. They instead relied on the remaining components of the voting — votes by telephone and text messages, unique listens on Spotify, and the jury’s assessment.

In the name of fairness, Ritvars remains in the final, as well as Madara, who won the second semi-final of Supernova. They’ll all join Edgars Kreilis and Liene Greifane — the first semi-final qualifiers — in the national final showdown.

The next semi-final of Supernova takes place on Saturday.

Markus — a Supernova veteran and host of Latvia’s X Factor — has won over plenty of fans with his song.

Ahead of the semi-final, I was feeling the studio cut. As I wrote in our Wiwi Jury review:

“Throw on the tank top, grab some tissues and let’s cry together in the club! Markus may be emotionally torn, but he sounds so smooth, sexy and in control — I’m ready. The chorus is big enough to make this memorable but sufficiently reigned in so that it doesn’t lose its touch point with this ultimately tender dance song. Markus is moving from aspiring pop star to proper artist. It’s love.”

Are you happy that Markus will be in the final after all? Do you think producers were right to give him a place? Let us know in the comments box below. 

READ MORE LATVIA EUROVISION NEWS HERE

51 Comments
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Vero
Vero
6 years ago

(cheering for Markus Riva)

Frifri
Frifri
6 years ago

Like i said, he qualified only because of Spotify, Markus will not win anyways. Top by listens:
Madara: 25,000
Sudden Lights: 20,000
Edgars Kreilis: 19,900
Markus Riva: 17,200
Liene Greifane:11,000
Laura Rizotto:9,700
Jenny May: 8,800
Katrine Lukins: 7,800
Mionia: 3,000
Ed Rallidae: 3,000
Kris & Oz: 2,900
Lauris Valters 1,700

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Frifri

Madara first and Sudden Lights second? Seems like Spotify users have taste. B-)

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Or they don’t get out much (depending on your perspective). 😉

Poet
Poet
6 years ago

That sounds very random. Very. I respect the random behind Markus Riva back, yet can’t fully understand it. The Supernova songs he has performed over the last x amount of years seem similar and often they are bigger than Markus himself. Even if Markus goes through to the final, there is no chance for him to qualify for the big Eurovision final. No way. Markus, if you read this – you’ve got looks and voice – please try something that is 5 cm behind your routine sound. I would experiment a bit more. Public will vote for you when the… Read more »

Andis
Andis
6 years ago

Post Post Post Post Post Post Post Post Post Instagram Instagram Search Find People Activity Feed Profile About usSupportBlogPressAPIJobsPrivacyTermsDirectoryProfilesLanguage © 2018 Instagram Previous Next ltvsupernova • Following markusriva talented.company justs_official Unlike Comment Save 207 likes ltvsupernovaAr? ceturto reizi piedaloties atlas?, valda uztraukums, atzina @ltvsupernova veter?ns @markusriva, jo katru reizi ir cita skatuve, cita ž?rija un citi apst?k?i. Soci?lo mediju lietot?ji ir p?rliecin?ti, ka @markusriva ir peln?jis tikt fin?l?. K? dom? tu? Foto: @lauris_viksne #ltvsupernova #supernova2018 View all 25 comments kate_zhidovich#parMarkusuRivu julia_tommlinsonMagnificent performance and song, he must represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest Lisbon 2018 ? keitijaridJ?, bija peln?jis!!?? nelvikMarkus… Read more »

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Andis

lmao

Andis
Andis
6 years ago
Reply to  Andis

Admin!Please delete this entry!Sorry!

Andis
Andis
6 years ago
Reply to  Andis

Admin!Please delete this entry, error,error.

Unofficial Månsters Association
Unofficial Månsters Association
6 years ago
Reply to  Andis

Oh goodness XD

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Ritvars qualification was really a surprise. “My fingers are doing their best” lool
Anyway, no threat to Madara here or anywhere.

George
George
6 years ago

In Latvia, writes that the song”Esam?ba” to play at funerals …So depressing song nowhere to send Lisabon.Madara singing live is very bad, compared to the record.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  George

Then lemme die in piece!!!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

How many?

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

loooool

Azente
Azente
6 years ago

I spect Madara to win….. I think it is fake also. He has a lot of followers and audience. NOW he can make a better promo of the song and maybe win. I wish Madara for Lisboa.

Azente
Azente
6 years ago

I espectacles Madara to win….. I think it is fake also. He has a lot of followers and audience. NOW he can make a better promo of the song and maybe win. I wish Madara for Lisboa.

Azente
Azente
6 years ago
Reply to  Azente

Spect.

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
6 years ago

Oh Markus. You are a talented & act performer, but the song is just meh. Please have a better song next year 🙂

Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga
6 years ago
Reply to  Lady Gaga

I mean talented & hot performer. He really is, lol

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Now I’m confused. Does this mean someone else (theoretically) will get the “wildcard vote)? Or am I thinking of another contest? Or am I going insane and nothing is real? :S

Marina
Marina
6 years ago

I watched the semi-final and was shocked by the results. I could not believe that Markus was not in the final. I saw that even Raymond Pauls in the interview expressed bewilderment of this result !!
I am very glad that justice has triumphed now.
I’ll be happy if Markus Riva wins and goes to Lisbon !!!

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Phew! 🙂 I was so worried! 🙁

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

I noticed the ‘glitch’, but I was fully convinced that will probably *kill* Ritvars’ chances to qualify, not the other way around. I mean, he wasn’t even presented as an option.

Davis
Davis
6 years ago

So good news for all fans of “This Time” — Markus will sing it in the final after all.!!!
Super!!!Congratulation!

Sanda
Sanda
6 years ago

YES! He should represent Latvia at Eurovision ?? Vote for Markus Riva ??

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Sanda

Hopefully Latina will qualify for the grand final. It’d be even better if Markus Riva represented them! 😀

Agris
Agris
6 years ago

I’m happy! Markus – the best candidate. I wish him victory in the final of the selection! Good luck ???

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

Wow

His English is awfull

Hej
Hej
6 years ago

Your English is awful as well or at least your spelling

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
6 years ago

This is Riga tbh

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Tragic excuse. Whatever, Esam?ba is the only thing Latvia can qualify with so this guy better sit.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Doesn’t Markus have a history of bombing out?

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Well, he was taken down by some black girl in Supernova 2015, couldn’t advance from the semi of Supernova 2016, and was dynamited out of Supernova 2017 (6th (!) place in Heat 2), so this time he probably wouldn’t be able to win either.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Polyna

Don’t jinx it!

Hai
Hai
6 years ago

WHY, JUST WHY! Russians will try to push this guy no matter how bad he’ll sing. If he’s not gonna win the Supernova, i’m officially celebrating this.

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Hai

I hope Edgars wins

Lol
Lol
6 years ago
Reply to  Hai

Your avatar looks like a piece of sh*t with arms, legs and eyes.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Hai

Relax! Markus’ voice is just fine! 😮

PredAnn
PredAnn
6 years ago

The organizers canceled the internet voting results, so the overall result was made up from telephone votes + spotify + jury. After doing this, Markus moved to 2nd place and Ritvars to 3rd. Riga Reggae wouldn’t make it any way.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

They instead relied on the remaining components of the voting — votes by telephone and text messages, unique listens on Spotify, the jury’s assessment, and the thick file of roubl…euros put into LTV’s pockets.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

I don’t understand! How did that help Ritvars! Riga reggae had worse song!

bulgariastan
bulgariastan
6 years ago

I remember hearing that a jury would pick seventh wildcard spot for the final. Is that still in place, with eight acts in the final or is that gone now?

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  bulgariastan

I mean… It would be completely ridiclulous if none of the other contestants would get a wildcard now. Especially since they don’t even know if Riva would have qualified (I doubt it to be honest. Don’t see how this could have helped Ritvars.)

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

“Organisers explain that there was misleading information about contestants in the online voting — a picture of Riga Reggae appeared above the link to Ritvars’ song, which may have led to extra votes for the bespectacled singer.”

Shouldn’t that give Riga Reggae the ticket?

Davis
Davis
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

No!

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

That’s fake, it seems the producers were desperate to have him in the final. He’s cute but he sings like a boot… Latvia will not pass the semifinal this year, no matter who will represent them.

No Name
No Name
6 years ago

This is rigged tbh

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

This explains how Ritvars qualified. Monta was robbed. She should get the ticket, not Markus.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

And I was already celebrating, that this horribly mediocore bland parody of a swedish song didn’t reach the final… Well, in the end he won’t win, so I’m gonna get over it.

Kocin
Kocin
6 years ago

Hooray for Markus! Show all the haters what you’re about!