croatia franka eurovision 2018 first rehearsal
Andres Putting

She’s “Crazy” for your love — and during Franka’s first rehearsal at Eurovision 2018 the press room was generally crazy for her. The Croatian beauty turned up and turned out in a form-fitting, structured black dress with plenty of lace detailing. She cut an impressive and confident form, reminding us that she’s a woman in control and ready to slay.

The Croatian delegation enhanced the jazzy feel of the song with sultry strobes and dark lighting. The camera pans around Franka, who stares into that camera and really grabs you. The love, love, love line — which comes with a boom, boom, boom — is accompanied by some assertive shoulder bobs, helping enhance the rhythm and feel. As ever, Franka proved she is much more than a fashion queen and stunning beauty. She has one of the best voices of the entire competition and did not falter.

One drawback? When the camera pans out to show off the stage Franka disappears. The lights, while fantastic as a backdrop for Franka, are not strong enough on their own. Say close to your girl and you’ll be good.

All in all this is a real grower — and it now seems like a potential qualifier.

Franka — “Crazy”: Reviews and Reactions

Croatia: First rehearsal at Eurovision 2018

Croatia: First press conference 2018

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Read all of our Croatia Eurovision news here

Photo & Footage: EBU & RTP

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Ivan
Ivan
5 years ago

Spoiler alert she will use some dancing with the stars experience. She will have a man dancer at the end in a very sensual correografy. His name is igor barbaric and he is a part of her eurovision team. She will reveal him on the second rehearsal. This is very carefully organised and aranged this will go far mayby in top 3

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

Very dramatic performance, in a good way!
Franka is awesome and she fills the stage even without moving too much. I am excited about this. The sound system is great.
As a tip, I would add some smoke. The performance would have more power and mystery.

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

It feels empty because it’s only her on stage, but her performance was amazing! The dress is fine. If Croatia improved, then this semi is going to be really tough. It was already tough.

ben005
ben005
5 years ago

So nice to see that Croatia is a grower of the day for most of you in Wiwi team.

EmmelieDarlineFrancescoFan
EmmelieDarlineFrancescoFan
5 years ago

Glad Croatia is looking good. I’ve always quite liked this song and felt I’m the only one!

My2Cents
My2Cents
5 years ago

FINALLY HRT didn’t mess up with the staging. I will never forget them for Lighthouse

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
5 years ago

She snapped! Croatia un-cancelled!

Croatia
Croatia
5 years ago

Franka she is a beatiful vocal and performance 10/10 a born new dark horse this year HRT good decision Croatia must qualifited in final #Team Croatia

Mr Gold
Mr Gold
5 years ago

Please, girl. This is not a toilet bowl!

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

She did her best, but there are so many good songs. Will be forgotten

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Wow, this looks amazing. I must say I grew tired of this song, but Franka’s vocals and presence really can make it work when performing it live. She’s glowing and her dress is fantastic. The lighting is the perfect one for this kind of act. This is the thing about Eurovision: sometimes having a “performance piece” is way more effective than having an actually good song. It shouldn’t be like this, but that’s how the game is played. And Croatia is now back to the game.

BettyB
5 years ago

now this is how you elevate a mediocre song into a performance that suits the grand final. i cant wait how this comes across on tv, she looks like she knows whats she doing and… delivers <3 Croatia

please
please
5 years ago

I wasn’t into this song before but this performance just changes everything. that dress is amazing. This just works on stage.

Ghhfy
Ghhfy
5 years ago

she was very good vocally, she’s got the stage presence.. so hard to choose onlyc10 songs..

Matija
Matija
5 years ago

Woow!!! Go girl!!!

Terrence
Terrence
5 years ago

Stunning. Deserves to qualify.

Olivier2
Olivier2
5 years ago

My goodness! This whole competition is getting harder and harder to predict. I actually think this Eurovision might be the closest yet between acts

jim
jim
5 years ago

nothing can save this dull song

123
123
5 years ago
Reply to  jim

nor should your dull existance…yet here we are

Rome
Rome
5 years ago

Honestly I did not expect something like this from Croatia this year. I even predicted last place for them lol. But now I think they have good chances to qualify, she’s strong vocally and the staging looks simple yet captivating. Good luck

Comeee
Comeee
5 years ago

Believed in her and her song since the beginning. Now I’m 100% sure she’s coming for that top 10 in the final!
Franka s l a y e d

Anitta
Anitta
5 years ago

I think she she has chance to pass the semi final…she has a beautiful voice …?t least steadfastly standing on the stage not like some other countrys ( Israel =awful first rehearsal .. and Belgium ) im absolutely dissapointing ..i expected much more from these countries

Slad01
Slad01
5 years ago

Amazing vocals, Franka can really qualify to the final.

Light The Stage Up
Light The Stage Up
5 years ago

With LED, she might qualify. Wait, where is the LED? That is right, Portugal is too cheap to put it up. Wonder if they even can afford it…

Poster.
Poster.
5 years ago

Nice performance but it’s still not a contender to qualify, lol. You guys do this every year when a trash song you had no expectations for delivers a somewhat decent performance. Malta last year for example, lol.

jim
jim
5 years ago
Reply to  Poster.

100% this

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

I don’t think she has any chances of qualifying, the song is what it is and I haven’t really seen anyone rooting for her…

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

Might be the only Ex-Yu country that qualifies That voice and staging alone could be reason to make it

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Great vocals, average song. Given the quality of this SF, I don’t really see Croatia qualifying.