Even though Yugoslavia split over twenty years ago, the region shares a rich history and culture which defines both its placing in the world and on the Eurovision stage. In fact, it is the region itself which coined the now famous term “Balkan ballad” — an often slow and emotional take on the power ballad. It just wouldn’t be Eurovision without one.

At this year’s Eurovision, we see a typical Balkan ballad in the mix courtesy of Serbia’s Nevena Božović. Croatia’s Roko gives us an English take on the genre — and a very large set of wings. North Macedonia’s Tamara Todevska sings of being proud — both of womanhood and heritage, and the manifold other characteristics that make all of us unique. Montenegro’s D mol harks back to a sound of decades past — working their harmonies as they strive to take us to “Heaven”. And Slovenia’s Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl give us the purest of moments — standing close and looking into each other’s eyes as she sings and he plays his instrument. Romance is very much alive.

But the question is: Which Ex-Yugoslav country has the best song at Eurovision 2019? You can listen to all of the songs below and then vote for your favourite. You can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote ONE time. Be sure to click the box next to each of your favourites before pressing submit.

[polldaddy poll=10268368]

Which ex-Yugoslavia country is your favourite this year? Do you think it will win Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.

VOTE IN ALL OUR EUROVISION 2019 POLLS

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Matija
Matija
5 years ago

I hope that the representative of Croatia will have an angel wing of 25 m long just for you to have something to talk about. 😉 #sorrynotsorry

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Serbia and Slovenia are mt favourites here!

Melita
Melita
5 years ago

Serbia is way better then all the rest
then Macedonia and Slovenia

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago

Slovenia. No doubt about that!

Erin
Erin
5 years ago

Crostia’s song has similiar melody like “Fantasiaa” (Finland 1983). Why hasn’t anyone noticed this plagiarism?

123
123
5 years ago
Reply to  Erin

f off with this bs

Matija
Matija
5 years ago
Reply to  123

Agree

Henry
Henry
5 years ago

Slovenia the best, i even think this going to do very well in the final..

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

Easy: Slovenia and North Macedonia! Both will quality and do better than Serbia and Montenegro.

Philip
Philip
5 years ago

they are all FYR dumb greek

Kirby
Kirby
5 years ago

Slovenia, by far.
…And please, please tell the Croatian guy not to wear those angel wings. Several singers have done that before.

Mateusz
Mateusz
5 years ago

North Macedonia <3<3<3

Gernantz
Gernantz
5 years ago

Serbia and Slovenia. The others are a bit boring and/or outdated imo

Benji
Benji
5 years ago

The vocal abilities don’t seem to be very important any more. Unlike many other ESC-fans, I’m not impressed by Zala’s whispering.

noone
noone
5 years ago
Reply to  Benji

It depends – if it fits the song. Imagine Zala’s song would be sung by Christina Aguilera. That would be horrible and ruin the feeling and meaning of the song. This is SONG contest, not voice contest. Look at Lena 2010, she’s not a very good singer but Satellite is one of the best ESC songs in history. I’m looking for music that I love and can listen to, not girls in dresses shouting at me.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  noone

I mean, it’s good, but one of the best ever is certainly an overstatement. Ukraine should’ve won in 2010 if you ask me.

BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
5 years ago

Slovenia has a muffled mumbo jumbo as an excuse the girl can’t sing at all.

BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
BOMBO FUEGO TEMPO
5 years ago

I want me some kruna

xmynameis
xmynameis
5 years ago

Slovenia > North Macedonia >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Other dated mess

Ivar
Ivar
5 years ago

For me Slovenia is top 5. Serbia and North Macedonia are 15-20. Croatia and Montenegro are bottom 3 with Georgia.

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
5 years ago

The Dream!

Ana Leonor
Ana Leonor
5 years ago

Kralj! 😀

Maxime
Maxime
5 years ago

For me Slovenia is high above the rest, I really hope they will qualify and do well! Serbia is nice too, the rest is meh.

Btw, if you could also vote here it would be amazing! All you need to do is sending me your points!
https://goo.gl/forms/8u8nj6GEQhckITMF2

Eleftheria
Eleftheria
5 years ago

I want to see North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia in the final. All three of them deserve it! Proud, Crown, Oneself!

ESCJudge
ESCJudge
5 years ago

ESC is NOT a festival (why some people call it so?) and there is only one winner in the end… and it’s not from Balkans this year 🙂

EscSpirit
EscSpirit
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCJudge

Esc IS a festival, among other things, and explaining why is pretty much pointless to narrow minded people like you.

Dawid
Dawid
5 years ago

About Montenegro, was there some revamp or it’s just me? It was awful when I heard it for the first time and now it’s… Well, it’s not bad. I doubt that it can qualify, but it’s not at the bottom anymore, that’s for sure.

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Yes, Montenegro underwent a revamp, giving it some instrumental ethnic vibes at parts.

noone
noone
5 years ago

Wow, what an easy question: Slovenia, the only good song. Serbia and North Macedonia are decent. The other two I’m not even gonna comment, my 41-st and 40-th place.

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago

Slovenia has perfect copy of salvador amar pelos dois but then in slovene, same lifeless snoozefest

but it is in the easy semi 1 so it will qualify with ease ofc

noone
noone
5 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

Portugal is old-fashioned classic orchester ballad and Slovenia a modern computer and beats driven alternative song. How is it even similiar?

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago
Reply to  noone

Slovenia is the easiest qualifier in semi 1, for the perfect Zala & Gaspar

10000 times better than the joke Hvala Ne

Dawid
Dawid
5 years ago
Reply to  noone

Apparently, every slow song = Salvador 2.0 and every song with instrumental chorus = Eleni 2.0.

ESCJudge
ESCJudge
5 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

haha, good point!
fist-bump

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

touché

anyways i hated salvador’s song, and i like Sebi i respect them even more as minimalistic musicians

Komentator
Komentator
5 years ago

SERBIA AND NORTH MACEDONIA!!!

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago

Montenegro, it’s in my personal top 3 🙂

love this catchy fun song, revamp made it even better more ethnic

Jjjjj
Jjjjj
5 years ago

1.Serbia
2.Slovenia
3. N.Macedonia
4. Montenegro
5.Croatia

Dave
Dave
5 years ago

1. Slovenia 7/41
2. North Macedonia 14/41
3. Serbia 21/41
4. Croatia 22/41
5. Montenegro 41/41

I believe Slovenia is the dark horse of the year.

Ksenija
Ksenija
5 years ago

Serbian girl here; Slovenia obviously.

Friendly Lurker
Friendly Lurker
5 years ago

Sebi all the way!! That’s in my top 3… I like North Macedonia as well.
Roko… I hope he comes back in the future with a better entry lol. I like his voice, but the song…

Escfan
Escfan
5 years ago

North Macedonia – 4/41
Serbia – 7/41
Slovenia – 24/41
Croatia – 29/41
Montenegro- 38/41

Love North Macedonia and Serbia

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

Well, this isn’t close. But there are two things I am surprised by:
1. There seems to be a lot of genuine love for North Macedonia’s entry. Is that because of the song, or because of Tamara, or something else?
2. Roko’s army of fans haven’t yet found this poll. Are they taking the week off?

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Well, the poll is almost in the same order I’d put it in, except I would put Serbia second and North Macedonia third. Montenegro is just too nondescript to appeal to any special group and their chances of qualification are next to none (without a killer live, that is). There is nothing that awful, per se, but I don’t see anything memorable either. It’s on autopilot. I am glad you like it, because every artist deserves some love. The Dream is undoubtedly my least favorite Croatian entry since our return in 2016. Roko’s voice is grear and it creates some… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Thanks Colin. The common thread with some of these entries is a disconnect between the lyrics and the music. North Macedonia (my least favourite in this poll) is perhaps the biggest example of this disconnect – an empowering set of lyrics sung to a lament. Then there is Serbia (4th here) – a song about devotion and a pledge, but is sung as an OTT ballad for musical reasons that I struggle to understand. Croatia’s song is actually one of the better ones (3rd here), but my problem there is with Roko’s choice of singing technique. So yes, this means… Read more »

Hufsa
Hufsa
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

You are the first person I have seen with exactly the same ranking as me. I totally agree with everything in this post.

Idksmth
Idksmth
5 years ago

In order: North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia. Montenegro is okay, but bland and that earbleed nightmare from Croatia shouldn’t be thought or reminded of. People may say he has a great voice, which I agree with, but it should be used wisely and properly and, HONEYYYYY, this song ain’t showing the way how it should be.

SpirK
SpirK
5 years ago

1. Slovenia (4/41)
2. Serbia (7/41)
3. Croatia (14/41)
4. North Macedonia (30/41)
5. Montenegro (35/41)
None of them is a surefire qualifier, but I think that Slovenia has a good shot of making it in Semifinal 1 and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Serbia going through. Montenegro has no chance and I think Semifinal 2 will prove too hard for any of the other two.

Hrvatska
Hrvatska
5 years ago

I know that this is not very real, but my dream is that all Balkan countries should sing in their national language, for the year 2020

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago
Reply to  Hrvatska

As a Balkan languages lover, I would love that.

Nikki
Nikki
5 years ago

Tamara, hands down. She’s my second favourite after Italy and I’m making myself to the fact that I’ll be end up crying if she doesn’t qualify.

Philip
Philip
5 years ago

please bear on mind that you have heard all of them live except for North Macedonia 😉 and studio version is not live emotion.. i am sure you will all cry and shake when you hear it live, she will enter your soul

KuhKatz
KuhKatz
5 years ago
Reply to  Philip

Or fall like previous entries.

But I don‘t see it happen. (But I‘m also not that pumped about it)

Philip
Philip
5 years ago
Reply to  KuhKatz

the live singing was never a big problem, but choreography, dresses, lighting, camera angles.. and nervousness of the performer.. who comes from a small country with small stages, at a huge stage.. Since there is no other way for these performers to experience in advance a huge stage and massive audience, looks like MK has been working on the backing vocals, sending singers as back vocals for 2-3 years and then send them as lead singers. Tamara is a great example, Antionia Gigovska is the performer-in-progress, going for a second year as a back vocal (after eye cue), and wouldn’t… Read more »

jPkTlZjW
jPkTlZjW
5 years ago
Reply to  Philip

Well there was an instagram story of tamara singing the chorus of Proud in a club in N Macedonia if im not wrong and it sounded brutal!

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  jPkTlZjW

Prove us. No believing until there’s a solid source.

Mako
Mako
5 years ago

1st. Slovenia
2nd. Serbia
3rd. Croatia
4th. Montenegro
5th. North Macedonia

I’m in the #TeamSlovenia and #TeamSerbia!

Mako
Mako
5 years ago
Reply to  Mako

For the Macedonian entry, I like it but I need a powerful live from Tamara for better appreciating ‘Proud’. The studio version doesn’t give me goosebumps.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

slovenia > serbia > montenegro > macedonia >>> croatia

Reina
Reina
5 years ago

Same ranking

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

Slovenia by far!
My 3rd ?

Kyllik
Kyllik
5 years ago

Slovenia is the only one with a good entry.

Joshua
Joshua
5 years ago

1. Montenegro (#23)
2. Serbia (#29)
3. Slovenia (#30)
4. Croatia (#32)
5. North Macedonia (#35)

The ex-Yugoslav area is really weak this year. Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia might be bordeline qualifiers, but honestly I can’t see any of them doing well.

Nicky91
Nicky91
5 years ago
Reply to  Joshua

D-Moll singers are also such cuties with charming accents

esc stan
esc stan
5 years ago

1.North Macedonia
2.Slovenia
3.Serbia
4.Montenegro
5.Croatia

CookieNation
CookieNation
5 years ago

Slovenia obviously. It is very daring in its own way, and very different. The rest of the ex YU is the worst Eurovision has on offer this year.

Geo
Geo
5 years ago

Sebi is the only decent song among all those horrific entries, especially the one from Macedonia…

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
5 years ago

sebi’s the only good one

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

So, I returned to Whoopi the cat to see if she could predict the other qualifiers for the first semi. She already guessed San Marino, but inquiring minds wanted to know. So, after some deliberation, Whoopi has predicted that the ten qualifiers for the first semi are:
Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Portugal, San Marino, and Slovenia.
Shame about Poland and the Czech Republic (Belarus and Finland over them? Really?), but hey, it’s science. She was particularly attracted to Greece, so I think we have our semi winner.

Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Now, I’m curious about Second semi!

NickC
NickC
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Here is how I see it, not exactly how I feel it, but my prediction based on my calculations using odds (50%), qualification history (10%), youtube views (20%) and spotify streams (20%): Safely qualifying zone: Iceland, Greece, Cyprus, Belgium. (4) Probably Qualifying Zone: Australia, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia (4) With a shot at Qualifying Zone: Czech Republic, Poland, Finland, San Marino, Hungary, Belarus (6) Probably not qualifying Zone: Serbia (1) Very long shot zone: Montenegro, Georgia. (2). Of the 4 safely qualifying songs, Iceland has 15% chance of winning ESC, Cyprus has 9 % chance, Greece has 8 % and Belgium… Read more »

Teddie
Teddie
5 years ago

Hands down, Slovenia

Nguyet Huynh
Nguyet Huynh
5 years ago

Slovenia (my no.2), North Macedonia and Serbia <3

Lourdes
Lourdes
5 years ago

Slovenia, by a mile. Also my #3 overall.