Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy. The host country and the so-called Big 5 have poured the most money into this year’s Eurovision Song Contest…but do their performances match their deep pockets?

That’s for you to decide. You can see snippets of their rehearsals above. Then sound off below. You can watch our complete second rehearsals review videos below.

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CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago

But we know respect. It was out of the question to instrumentalize the refugees or flaunt a tearful baby, as all the haters thought we were going to do. It is perhaps what enrages them the most, that we have not fallen into the traps and facilities they hoped for to go down in flames. Except that our song does not need to add any drama to have impact. I can guarantee you, win or not, that the performance before the jury will be memorable, and the final Saturday a moment to record.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

These Big 5 should go trough the semis like the rest of us! Ok, they give more money but their artistic input is not so high ( ok, maybe Italy does it’s job)! If I pay more at taxes because I earn more I don’t expect special treatment for me because of that. Going through qualification worries will make them treat Esc more carefully, and thus better entries from them, and the emotion of the fandom will increase with solid benefits, true, sometimes they will not make it but they will at last have a chance of winning! No risk,… Read more »

Donald duck
Donald duck
5 years ago

is sad how every year the same haters and hackers try Always to distroy the spanish candidature, hope this year go diferent and the power of fair and love wins, for one time

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Donald duck

And every year the same. People focus too much on firewotks even if a song doesnt require them to shine. Whatever…. now the hype is with Cyprus. If Spain had sent it, many haters would be spitting on it saying it is too simpl and repetitive (as they did with Barei Say Yeah – remember this song almost brings the stadium down and the critics destroyed its chances because of the staging).

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Donald duck

I think Spain doesnt have must trust in Europe awarding any entry with a good result. They are used to getting underated. So far they are happy with their song and performers and this is what will really matter in the end.

Tinou
Tinou
5 years ago

Let’s be honest, France isn’t good enough for the victory. I even doubt it deserves a top 5. I see them more at 6-7th place. They are really good, by far the best song France sent for years but it’s a strong year and semi finalists will eat automatic qualifiers on Saturday night. For me top 5 should be (in random order) Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Israel, Sweden and Estonia. I would complete my top 10 with Belgium, Norway, Cyprus, France and Portugal.

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Tinou

No hate but let’s be honest, last year France’s song was much better, with beautiful lyrics ( they won the lyrics’ award in Esc) ,the singer much more likeble and still finished 12th. What do you think wiil happend this year?!

Tinou
Tinou
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

I think it’s different this time. I mean there is a real and deserved hype with the french song so I think France will have a good place like Amir got in 2016. Last year Alma wasn’t a good performer, she seemed a bit lost on stage and the scenography was bad so I can understand she only finished 12th.

Safiya
Safiya
5 years ago

IMO all of these entries are really pretty good this year.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
5 years ago

I want to add that I admire the fact that France pretty much always sing in their native language.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
5 years ago

I really wish SuRie had a better song! I think France will be top 5 but I just don’t see the win, it’s a good song though. I think UK sadly will be bottom 5 along with Spain. BBC You Decide need to realise that the quality of songs for selection is not good enough for this competition and no amount of pretty staging will compensate for a mediocre song. It’s not the 90’s anymore.

Donald duck
Donald duck
5 years ago

If Cyprus go to the Final , i will vote for Cyprus and Spain , a Fuegoooo song and a amazing love story,perfect

EddyKay
EddyKay
5 years ago

To me the big 5 are all behind expectations. France wont score as well with the vast majority of people who dont understand more French than the word mercy. Portugals entry is too close to Salvador Sobrals but doesnt quite get there, the UK is definitely a candidate for the bottom 5 and Germany will land anywhere between 8 and 20 . Italy and Spain didnt catch me either but I cant really predict where they will go. Somewhere between 5 and 23. I think the biggest positive surprises this year will be Moldova and Cyprus whilst the negative surprise… Read more »

Matt
Matt
5 years ago
Reply to  EddyKay

Unless commentators give some background there’s a likely chance a fair number of people will think the French are singing a song called thank you, and that’s kinda funny but it’s gonna detract from the emotional impact of the song.

EddyKay
EddyKay
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Exactly! Plus I somehow think they are not the most likeable artists.