March 11 is an important day for Lithuania. Not only does the country celebrate their day of restoration of independence, they also had an important decision to make in their national selection marathon Eurovizijos atranka 2018. For the first time ever, the competition ends on a Sunday night slot.

The six remaining participants made the long journey to tonight’s final at the Žalgirio arena, hosted by television host Ugne Skonsmanaite and comedian Mantas Stonkus. But in the end, Ieva Zasimauskaite will fly the flag for Lithuania at Eurovision 2018 with her song “When We’re Old”.

Last year’s winners Fusedmarc returned to perform their song “Rain of Revolution” and two Eurovision 2018 acts performed their songs as guest performers in the final. Iceland’s Ari Ólafsson kicked off the show with “Our Choice” whilst Finland’s Saara Aalto performed “Monsters” later on as an interval act.

Eurovizijos atranka 2018 final running order

Monika Marija – “The Truth”

Kotryna Juodzeviciute – “That Girl”

The Roop – “Yes, I Do”

Paula – “1 2 3” (acoustic version)

Jurgis Bruzga – “4Love”

Ieva Zasimauskaite – “When We’re Old”

Eurovizijos atranka 2018 final results

Unlike the previous two years of Eurovizijos atranka, there were be no international juries — hosting the final in Lithuania’s largest multi-purpose indoor venue ain’t cheap, y’all!

So for one last time, the seven-member Lithuanian jury panel had their say on tonight’s six finalists and gave those all-important points. As usual, they count towards 50% of the overall vote, with the other 50% from televoting.

Jury panel

Ramunas Zilnys
Dalia Ibelhauptaite
Sasha Song
Milda Adomaitiene
Vytautas Rumšas
Leonas Somovas
Dovile Filmanaviciute

Televoting results

Jury results

Combined results

Do you agree with Lithuania’s decision? Do you think Ieva will make it to the Eurovision final? Let us know on our comments box below!

Watch the final again here

Follow all of our Lithuania news here

Photo: E. Kniežausko

130 Comments
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OMG
OMG
6 years ago

Wow, did you see Paula fb video today? An explosion occurred during the rehearsal !!!!! That’s why her performance was not as it should have been….

blueeyed
blueeyed
6 years ago
Reply to  OMG

She doesn’t say anything about her performance in the final. It’s enough of conspiracy theories.

...
...
6 years ago
Reply to  blueeyed

She said to Lithuanian news portal that her surprise for final was an exploding chair and she was not able to do that, because during the rehearsal the chair burst too much and even hurt her back. So of course, they decided to abandon this element from her final performance.

Liepa
Liepa
6 years ago

haven’t met a single person irl in lithuania that would have voted for ieva which is weird bc she got so many televotes, right???

blueeyed
blueeyed
6 years ago
Reply to  Liepa

Because you’ve met almost all person in Lithuania?

I love you
I love you
6 years ago
Reply to  Liepa

Liepa try leaving your room next time.

Justina
Justina
6 years ago

please check out Saara Aalto performance on Lithuania’s national selection. totally different from UMK, sound and staging are 200% better
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxaMpD0DUzA

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago
Reply to  Justina

Yes, it’s way better. Her performance is on point here!

Me
Me
6 years ago

My winners was
1. The Roop
2. Paula
3/4 Jurgis and Kotryna
5. MM
6 Ieva

I guess my taste is just diferent from lithuanians every year…

ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago

Can I go back to sleep now? Seriously in the running towards becoming my last place.

Anonymus
Anonymus
6 years ago

That was the worst song in Lithuania national final! I heard from some lithuanian friend that votings are corrupted. Every year jury sending what they need to send! Look to previous year Lithuania winers and compare it with songs like Greta Zazza or Paula had… This year all the people wanted The Roop to win! Also look to Paula performance. The first song was the way better, people voted for that, but jury told that acustic version is better!? Whats wrong with that jury??? They titally from a diferent galactic.

Gytis
Gytis
6 years ago
Reply to  Anonymus

Ieva won the televoting, but not the jury vote, actually.

Oh
Oh
6 years ago
Reply to  Gytis

You believe it, than ok 🙂

Hello World
Hello World
6 years ago
Reply to  Oh

Look at the amount of comments and views on her videos compared to the other contestants, she was a clear favorite of the audience. ‘Oh’ and ‘Anonymous’ thanks for your subjective opinions and conspiracy theories but your comments would be more meaningful if they were objective and based on facts. Have a nice day fellas.

Poster.
Poster.
6 years ago
Reply to  Anonymus

Your imaginary Lithuanian friend doesn’t count 🙂 Ieva didn’t win the jury vote btw, people simply liked the song.

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago
Reply to  Anonymus

@ Anonymus “This year all the people wanted The Roop to win” – oh yeah, but why they didn’t vote for The Roop then ? Why Ieva topped televoting and not The Roop ?

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

It’s a beautiful song. It’s too simple for me, but I can see this work at Eurovision. It’s beautiful in its simplicity and her performance was great. Definitely better than this mess last year. The 2nd semi is open, Lithuania always struggles to qualify, so everything is possible.

sf
sf
6 years ago
Reply to  AngieP

too bad that Lithuania is in first semi, not second.

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
6 years ago
Reply to  sf

In 2nd semi there are Australia, Romania, Russia, Poland, Sweden and Ukraine – 6 countries which always qualified in their most recent participations. Plus Norway, Denmark, Moldova and Hungary which are more likely to qualify than not.

In 1st semi I can only see Azerbaijan, Belgium and perhaps Greece as obvious qualifiers.

sf
sf
6 years ago
Reply to  TheDrMistery

listen to the songs, look at bookmakers odds, and you’ll see how much stronger is the first semi.
Not to mention there are 19 participants in the first semi, and 18 in the second.
Cause in the first semi obvious qualifiers are Estonia, Czech Republic, Israel, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece. Also Austria has very very strong song. Finland, Armenia and Azerbaijan has good chances even though Azerbaijan song is not that good. Believe me, the first semi is much tougher.

Skimur
Skimur
6 years ago
Reply to  sf

I think both semi`s are equal.
1 SF obvious qualifiers are: Finland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Greece, Israel and Estonia.
2 SF: Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Australia, Norway, Ukraine and The Netherlands.

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

By virtue of being a decently written song sung fairly well that tugs on the heartstrings, this is Lithuania’s best ever entry.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Much better than Rainbow Revolution but then again it’s not that difficult to top that song.
It is a sweet cute song but fails to get noticed. I get an Anna Bergendahl feeling over her. And that worked out well..

EuroFan
EuroFan
6 years ago

Don’t forget that there’ll be no LED screens in Portugal this year. It’s a game changer in a way! All there selected performances will need to be adjusted to meet the new rule, so we don’t know how it’s gonna look like. Ieva’s performance looks as good as it is without LEDs, unlike some other countries.

fan
fan
6 years ago

Uffff what a bore!! Just dreadful.

Yay
Yay
6 years ago

Saara Aalto’s live performance in Lithuania was amazing!

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

Where are all the people who complained about Netta being too brash? This song is the precise antidote to Netta’s, and it’s damn good.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

Love it. Nice break from all the firework going on this year (more than last year, ironically). But unfortunately, I don’t think it will qualify…

xxx
xxx
6 years ago

Absolutely my top 5. Great job, Lithuania.

alkio
alkio
6 years ago

very very sweaty song ! i hope is be in final. Ieva, you have my vote

West
West
6 years ago

Not a bad song, not an amazing one either – I admit I prefer Fusedmarc, but then again I am one of the few people who actualy like Rain of Revolution.

schuyler
schuyler
6 years ago

I LOVE IT SO MUCH
I just wish she’d use the beautiful Lithuanian version! Also, this is one of the only times I wouldn’t cringe at a Eurovisiok artist going by solely their first name bc Zaskakskanfnajfw gives me a stroke everytime I try to search the song kfskkcks

Derios
Derios
6 years ago

THE SNIPPET IS OUT

Derios
Derios
6 years ago
Reply to  Derios

SO FAR IMA SAY THIS: NOT A WINNER

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Derios

Why are people SO hyped anyway? One thing is having good expectations, but the other is already citing it as certain qualifier or a winner. Remember Latvia breaking it’s NQ streak with Aminata and Justs, just to end-up last in ’17. I am very interested in Bulgarian song, but I ain’t jumping to conclusions.

Derios
Derios
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

because I heard the song? You’re free to have different conclusions, respect mine lol

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Derios

I do, of course. I don’t have any opinion, as I haven’t heard it. I was referring to people who say it’s a locked qualifier without hearing it.

If you have heard it, could you give a link, please?

Derios
Derios
6 years ago

THE BULGARIAN SONG HAS LEAKED

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Derios

9 minutes to full release!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Better luck in 2019.

Dew
Dew
6 years ago

Nope

Poster.
Poster.
6 years ago

This will qualify easily. Do Eurovision fans cry about ballads every year btw? There really aren’t many of them this year, especially simple, unpretentious ballads like this one.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Poster.

This one is just bad.

Juka
Juka
6 years ago

Nothing special, lithuania screwed up again.

Olga
Olga
6 years ago

I don’t think she will qualify. Nice voice, decent performance, but semi final one is TOO strong. I’m actually getting worried that my favorites won’t qualify…….

Froncheen
Froncheen
6 years ago

1-czech republic
2-estonia
3-france
4-ukraine
5-sweden
6-portugal
7-denmark
8-italy
9-israel ( just like Saara showed us, the live performance can change everything, so im waiting for that version)
10-poland
11-belgium
12-germany
13-australia
14-serbia
15-greece (same reason as israel)
16-netherlands
17-spain
18-slovenia
19-hungary
20-albania
21-malta
22-finland
23-cyprus
24-lithuania
25-azerbaijan
26-austria
27-UK
28-croatia
29-switzerland
30-ireland
31-macedonia
32-latvia
33-san marino
34-armenia
35-belarus
36-norway
37-russia
38-Romania
39-montenegro
40-iceland
41-moldova

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

three months for this…
save the money- have one final with 6 good songs, get rid of the corrupt and useless jury or even spend it on internally selecting something good

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  EscAU

what makes you think they were corrupt?

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

the mia story from when monika & vaidas won

EuroFan
EuroFan
6 years ago
Reply to  EscAU

Agree, that story doesn’t look good. Mia was literally robbed by the organizers/jury.

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago
Reply to  EscAU

Mia story has nothing to do with the juries… It was producers, who allowed for Monika and Vaidas to sing together (and offered ‘bribe’ or smth like this to Mia), not juries

Mar
Mar
6 years ago

Every year I hope the country of my ancestors will choose a quality song to secure them a win and every year I’m disappointed 🙁
I doubt they’ll even qualify in this bloodbath of a semi.
But happy Independence, Lithuania!

Harut
Harut
6 years ago

Could be the first time Azerbaijan will fail to qualify with Armenia(2 time) .
Such a strong semi final . Surely Switzerland , Iceland and I’m sorry but Lithuania also won’t qualify

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  Harut

Why do you think it’ll qualify? the song is not bad and their staging is always amazing.

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

wont*

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Predictable choice. Soft and emotional song, not the best in its style, but it invites you to listen to it while it flows smoothly. You have to like this type of songs in order to enjoy it. But I agree, Lithuania will most probably get stuck in SF. SF1 is very strong and this song is not for everyone.

In conclusion, I like it, but I find it very soft for the general public.

6.75/10

aaron
aaron
6 years ago

1 Israel 2 Finland 3 Denmark 4 Norway 5 Belarus 6 Czech Republic 7 Sweden 8 Moldova 9 Malta 10 United Kingdom 11 Croatia 12 Serbia 13 Cyprus 14 Switzerland 15 Russia 16 Ukraine 17 Australia 18 Azerbaijan 19 Austria 20 Poland 21 San Marino 22 Greece 23 Estonia 24 Spain 25 Slovenia 26 Macedonia 27 Albania 28 Germany 29 France 30 Hungary 31 Italy 32 Latvia 33 Belgium 34 Ireland 35 Romania 36 Netherlands 37 Lithuania 38 Montenegro 39 Iceland 40 Armenia 41 Portugal Two spots left, 1 for Georgia 1 for Bulgaria. Bulgaria finished 2nd last year, and… Read more »

rr
rr
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

Portugal dead last? Really? That’s strange.

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  rr

All the top is weirdo
weirdo tastes

Shavinzki
Shavinzki
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

He hates Portugal and put it last because of salvadors speech. He’s still hurt. Just ignore that troll.

All Wei
All Wei
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

SanMarino 21 st and the Nld’s 36 th under Romania?? How odd!!

lad
lad
6 years ago
Reply to  All Wei

and Moldova 8th LOL XD funniest top so far. cheers mate, i love a nice joke now and then.

lad
lad
6 years ago
Reply to  aaron

LOL aaron, thankfully, you’re just a nobody that will not have influence in the real contest.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

Off topic again: Alexander Rybak (Norway) thanks his fans with a YouTube video cover of “The Way You Look Tonight”.
Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EisBu9sK_vc

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

I have a feeling that Bulgaria will take my wig like Belgium last year.
And they are hungry for their victory

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

I’m sorry for being out of topic

babyy boo
babyy boo
6 years ago

no high notes. a boring song. i would listen this song in depressig times . Dont try copy salvador plss.the
balads wont win this year. lithuania is the second non qualifier after iceland. im very excited about semi 1.

langki
langki
6 years ago

is this in semi final 1?

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  langki

Yeah, semi 1 is way too heavy with quality songs. Some good ones will be left out and I am already bummed for that. Estonia, Lithuania, Czech Republic and Belgium must qualify, but Greece is also great, Israel is unique, I like Croatian and Macedonian songs too, Armenia and Azerbaijan always qualify, ect.

Semi 2 qualifiers should easily be Denmark, Hungary and Montenegro IMHO. (Plus constant qualifiers, like Russia, Australia and Sweden, but I don’t care, honestly.)

Kaz
Kaz
6 years ago
Reply to  Anthony Ko

To be fair that was by 1 point

Kaz
Kaz
6 years ago
Reply to  Kaz

Plus Azerbaijan won that year their worst result is 22nd.

Josh Kennon
Josh Kennon
6 years ago

Very sweet song that strikes sweet and nostalgic notes — BUT it doesn’t really build to anything and with all the strong songs before it in the 1st half AND after it in the 2nd half of the 1st semi, I feel like being right before the interval will get it forgotten in most minds — Also, i couldn’t stop myself from wondering “is this the same forest Cesar shot HIS video in?” — if it comes down to a battle of match-ups — who wins the battle of better use of forest? lol

suuperman
suuperman
6 years ago

She needs to transpose the song up a few notes, she cannot hit those low ones…

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  suuperman

She can’t hit higher notes either… all of her songs are pretty flat because her vocal range is very limited.

Juka
Juka
6 years ago

And LENA FROM GERMANY COULD?

Anonymous
Anonymous
6 years ago

Polegend Godgarina, you’re the only one here who understands about vocals. I’m so happy there’s finally someone who thinks the way I do. I thought I was going crazy. So many people in Lithuania think of her as a queen it makes me sick. She’s so overrated. She’s a Lithuanian Taylor Swift.

Martynas
Martynas
6 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Queen? Never heard anyone saying like this and she never presented herself either. You are just disappointed that your favorite performer didn’t win (Monika Marija, right?). Lithuania chose Ieva not because of her voice. The song itself isn’t ideal at all. We chose her because she is real and she makes this song fly into hearts of many Lithianians.

Lourdes
Lourdes
6 years ago

It’s so sweet, but with the right amount of sweetness 😉 I really love it and I enjoy listening to it, and even though I think it deserves the final, sadly I’m not sure if it will make it 🙁 It’s really unfair, given that I think only 4-5 songs deserve the final from Semi 2.

Calum Macleod
Calum Macleod
6 years ago

I’m so happy that this won! I’ll be rooting for it in Lisbon!

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

Well, someone has to take the last place at Eurovision.

EurovisionUK
EurovisionUK
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Looks like that place does not go to Lithuania ??
Well done guys! You picked well

Juka
Juka
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

IF they go to the final..but the last place will certainly go to hungary or denmark.

Bgc
Bgc
6 years ago

It’s sweet. It’s charming. It’s pretty. But it’s could be forgotten about when the voting lines open. Semi 1 is such a bloodbath this year and as nice as this song is I’m not sure this has enough to grab a spot for the final. As with so many of the other borderline qualifiers*, it would stand a much better chance in Semi 2. Going by bookies odds it’s safe to assume that Estonia, Czech Republic, Israel, Belgium and Bulgaria will all make it through from Semi 1. I’m going to assume that Greece and Austria also make it through,… Read more »

Bgc
Bgc
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgc

For the record, Azerbaijan is one of my least favourites this year and I would like to see it go out. However, Aisel is a very strong singer, and as bad as the song is she may rescue it with her live performance. Armenia’s biggest obstacle is perhaps Albania being there; while they don’t exactly sound alike, they are both rock ballads with a strong male vocal, and as a result may split the vote for those who normally go for those types of songs. Finland is in a more precarious position now that Israel has been revealed; Netta outdoes… Read more »

sddsf
sddsf
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgc

Bgc, very nice summary. Completely agree.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgc

I also enjoyed your summary Bcg! It’s not just a very strong semi, but also a semi that has many acts fighting for similar audiences.

LoveWave
LoveWave
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgc

Albania has too rock poo song, while Armenia is a pure ballad with Aram MP3 inspiration. They have nothing common, besides they sing in native language and both have very good vocals. But honestly, Albanian songs seems to me generic a bit.

LoveWave
LoveWave
6 years ago
Reply to  LoveWave

*Rock-pop

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Bgc

Azerbaijan has that whole “100% qualification literally every year since it debuted” thing going for them, even with their worse entries. This could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, but we’ll see. Looking at it in halves (as I’ve pointed out, five songs usually make it in from each half), semi-1 first half looks like a safe bet for Belgium, Estonia, and the Czech Republic. The other two spots could have a variety of occupants: Azerbaijan and Bulgaria have good track records that could be spoiled this year with underwhelming songs (though who knows what Bulgaria has cooking… Read more »

Roby08
Roby08
6 years ago

I like it a lot!
Well done Lithuania 🙂

KuhKatz
KuhKatz
6 years ago

It‘s a good one that‘ll probably get lost in the first semifinal.

But she should sing in lithuanian, that version is great!

Roby08
Roby08
6 years ago
Reply to  KuhKatz

Yeah I loved the lithuanian version even better! hope she chooses to sing at least a part in her language 🙂

Titas
Titas
6 years ago

I love this song and I’m so happy for ieva. And I really appreciate saara for singing in Lithuanian!

Agne
Agne
6 years ago

Isn’t it too similar to A Great Big World & Christina Aguilera “Say Something” (piano intro and the main melody line)? Even almost the same tempo.. 🙁 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2U0Ivkn2Ds

pepis
pepis
6 years ago
Reply to  Agne

agne ble nebsvaik, palaikyk saviskius

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  Agne

There are too many similar songs in the world of music
Don’t worry

Pasadena
Pasadena
6 years ago

I have to say that I’m often disappointed with the Lithuanian entries, so I didn’t follow Eurovizijos Atranka that closely, but this is such a nice surprise! I love her voice, so fragile yet strong. Unfortunately Lithuania is in SF1. I hope they will get through somehow.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I’m happy for Ieva, because I liked her performance since the first time I watched it (it feels that it was 3 years ago, since Lithuania’s selection process is sooooooo loooooong). It’s a sweet song and she’s able to bring us close to her when she’s there sitting on the stage. The sad part is that I think this entry lacks the punch to survive the bloodbath semifinal. That draw will probably get eliminated 5 or 6 songs that could qualify without much problems on the second semi. I’ll need a tranquilizer on May 8th.

Figgy
Figgy
6 years ago

I see the soulless ‘if it’s not a banger then I don’t like it’ brigade are out in force tonight

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

Its a nice song and performance but it will get lost in the bloodbath semi final 1. Kind of wish we could get a redraw because we are going to lose a few great songs in SF1 while I struggle to pick a top 10 in semi 2. It’s a shame.

Žymantas
Žymantas
6 years ago
Reply to  Leo M

Yeah, I don’t remember the semis ever being so imbalanced.

Matthew
Matthew
6 years ago
Reply to  Leo M

I’m curious as to what songs make you think that? Everyone is calling SF1 so much better than SF2, but I really could not disagree more…

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

This is 100% a non-qualifier, and a pee break for many. I can’t believe Lithuania had TEN shows to bring up something good and then came up with this.

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago

Do you think so ? 🙂 Aiste Pilvelyte hasn’t won Eurovizijos Atranka 9 times, so I don’t think that Lithuanians care about whose turn is now.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

How y’all chose Fusedmarc over her is still a mystery to all of us. I blame your juries brainwashing the public into voting for the screaming Russian lady.

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago

Maybe all Russians in Lithuania voted for them. Or something.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I remember how desperately the juries tried to make her happen last year!