Tonight was the turn of Croatia to select their representative for Eurovision 2020 with their national selection show Dora 2020. Held in the resort town of Opatija, sixteen acts took to the stage. Ultimately only one could prevail though – and that was Damir Kedžo with “Divlji Vjetre”.

Written by Ante Pecotić, “Divlji Vjetre” presents a heartwarming and uplifting ballad full of emotion. You can hear the strength of Damir’s voice showing full vocal composure. The song is translated as “Wild Wind” in English.

Damir will perform “Divlji Vjetre” in the second half of the first semi final of Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam.

Damir Kedžo – “Divlji vjetre”

Damir Kedžo wins Dora 2020

The thirteenth edition of Dora saw sixteen songs battle it out to win. The winner was determined by a 50/50 combination of points awarded by regional juries (from five different major cities of Croatia) and from the public televote.

The jury votes came first, with each major Croatian city represented. The jury vote winner was Mia Negovetić and the song “When It Comes To You”. Damir Kedžo was second in the jury vote, while Indira Levak finished third with “You Will Never Break My Heart”.

Finally the public vote was announced. Damir Kedžo won the televote with Mia Negovetić coming second and Indira Levak third.

In the end both Damir and Mia tied in first place. However, since Damir won the televote, he was deemed the winner of Dora 2020.

Dora 2020: The Show

The show opened with Croatia’s Eurovision 2019 Roko Blažević who sang “Heroj”, the Croatian-language version of his Eurovision entry “The Dream”. He was even joined by his two backing dancers from last year – Endi Schrotter and Diego Siqueira.

This year, Dora was hosted by Duško Ćurlić, Mirko Fodor, Zlata Mück Sušec and Doris Pinčić Rogoznica.

Although Eurovision 2018 winner Netta was not able to attend the show due to illness, we were still treated to an array of performances in the interval. Roko Blažević sang once again, this time performing his latest single “Krila”.

There were also performances from the finalists of  this year’s season of The Voice Croatia. They included Filip Rudan, Albina Grčić, Bernarda Bobovečki and winner Vinko Ćemeraš.

Are you happy with the winner of Dora 2020? Do you think Croatia will do well in Eurovision this year? Let us know in the comment section down below!

Read more Croatia Eurovision news here

116 Comments
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Bart
Bart
4 years ago

I think an outsider in the contest. A potentional winner in Rotterdam.

Marko Ž
Marko Ž
4 years ago

I love this song! I have been disappointed with the Croatian entries over the last few years, but this gives me hope! Damir just makes you feel and believe him (which for me Roko failed to achieve last year… sorry Roko! (plus The Dream sucked!)). With a few small tweaks, this will be an amazing performance at Rotterdam. Damire, cestitam i sretno u Rotterdamu! Zivjela Hrvatska!

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago

The best croatian entry since 2005, welcome back in the strongholds of native language at ESC

Beautiful song and a strong voice. Hvala, Hrvatska !

Ant
Ant
4 years ago

Semi 1 is shaping up to have a strong Slavic vibe

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago

I like it more and more … 8/10

Damir told in an interview that he definitely sing in Croatian at ESC. Hvala !

Mufasa
Mufasa
4 years ago

Please Kedzo if you read this: do a revamp and top 10 is guaranteed!!

Throw wigs in the air
Throw wigs in the air
4 years ago

I was really hoping for a Mia or Indira win, but okay
The song isn’t bad it’s just in the middle for me if you get what I mean?
Good luck Croatia though!

Throw wigs in the air
Throw wigs in the air
4 years ago

There were decent entries, the country just chose a basic one
Indira and Mia were amazing

Tom Ripley
Tom Ripley
4 years ago

We have salut Croatia to sending song in their own language. Another Croatian feature is that they have fantastic vocalist, again and again. One of the best vocalists every year in the competition.
This song is pop song with beautiful final chorus (the last bridge in song is outstanding) mixing Damir’s voice with back vocalists – supreme performance!
To me Croatia is among TOP10 songs right now! Well done Croatia and good luck!

qwqw
qwqw
4 years ago

After last year I had low expectations but it was one of the best national finals this year. My favorite after MGP and MF.
Nice song, although not the best. Good luck!
Next year please something modern in English.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  qwqw

No, we already enough entries in English. No Croatia anymore !

It´s also possible to send something modern in native language.

Cough Fee
Cough Fee
4 years ago

We could have brought the arena to its feet with Indira, but instead we chose Damir to provide viewers a bathroom break. Croatia is doing its part to keep that losing streak alive. You never fail to disappoint!!! Bravo Hrvatska.

HHAHA
HHAHA
4 years ago

1 semi Final is bloodbath like last year’s 2 semi final . Nobody is guaranteed to qualify while 2 semi Final is everyone’s game.
This will struggle, nothing special for me ,he got a pitchy voicf but I could not watch until the end and connect with the song .

Sam
Sam
4 years ago

It is generic, outdated and I’m pretty sure it won’t qualify in such tough semifinal, but somehow (maybe because of the low quality of the other songs selected yesterday) I keep playing it today. I guess we needed a good Balkan balad to be back to Eurovision.

Karl Fradgley
Karl Fradgley
4 years ago

This is old fashioned but I really like it …. it reminds me a little bit of What Colour is Your Love

Miguel
Miguel
4 years ago

There is some improvement from last year. But this is not going anywhere. The chorus sounds oldfashioned and the song is forgettable. This is a try of being a balcan ballad, with a strong instrumental, a nice male voice and some feelings.
Its an OK song, but I heard it many times before.

blueeyed
blueeyed
4 years ago

I like this song but it feels like it lacks something.

La la love
La la love
4 years ago

I really like this song, but I feel like we’ve heard this kind of song way too many times

Jakub
Jakub
4 years ago

I prefered Indira to win, she had the power and energy. But this song is also good but I doubt Croatia will qualify to the final keeping in mind they are in much more difficult semifinal

Kinga
Kinga
4 years ago

France, Spain, belarus, italy, now croatia… All men want to be the next Duncan singing those ballads?

Riri
Riri
4 years ago
Reply to  Kinga

A woman is representing belarus.
And I wouldn’t call spain’s song a ballad.

Kinga
Kinga
4 years ago
Reply to  Riri

Sorry, I meant Estonia

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Kinga

Spain is snor sending a ballad….

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

Unlike last year, I am very happy with the result of Dora (and a general song standard too, in comparison). My first favorite was indeed Mia (and she should represent us at some point), but Damir’s song is certainly in top 5 or so. It was hard to make a judgment in such short period, though. HRT should really start to release songs prior to the contest like basically everyone else does. The winning song Divlji vjetre (Oh, Wild Wind!) is heartfelt, well written and Damir really poured all of his energy in this. Yes, it’s not particularly modern, but… Read more »

Indiana07
Indiana07
4 years ago

Another weak song. They make it too easy for Lithuania to win this year.

Someone
Someone
4 years ago
Reply to  Indiana07

You really think the juries are even gonna think of ranking Lithuania in the top 10. No chance of winning at all. And it’s horrible aswell.

Sandrine
Sandrine
4 years ago

The Croatian public voted for their winner. Well done Damir Kedžo on winning Dora 2020! Well deserved participation to Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam! Good luck Croatia!

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Sandrine

I agree with you !

Sangfreud
Sangfreud
4 years ago

I liked it more as it progressed. This is a melancholy, heartfelt song that has a comfortable ballad sound but with some unexpected chord progressions to make it feel new. No matter how it scores in May – I think it will do fine – it gives me nice happy/sad feelings. Damir sings with sincerity and soul, and this song adds variety and richness to this year’s contest. Good luck to Damir and Croatia!

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago

Croacia 6/10

Isa
Isa
4 years ago

Wonderful backing vocalists! So powerful! 🙂

Rose
Rose
4 years ago

Not bad. I think it has a chance at making it through to the Final.

Thorbeta
Thorbeta
4 years ago

Nice voice, but I don’t have really much to say about the song, since it doesn’t really seem to go anywhere. This will probably struggle a lot to make any impression to the televoters and even the juries.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

Good reactions: Fantastic voice, fantastic performance. Good key change at the end. Great backing singers as well.
Not so good reactions: The song sounds dated, and the expensive-looking backing screen was wasted.
P.S. Where is Endi Schrotter? 😀

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Song being dated only bothers me when it adds to the feeling of it being generic or tired. This one is quite nice and heartfelt. Sure, we probably aren’t going to win the contest, but this song can qualify and do well if the staging is right. It’s somewhere along the lines of Ott and Birgit, both of whom did well. Speaking of Estonia, though… *disappointed*

jack
jack
4 years ago

He is better than the song. A small revamp WITHOUT changing the language of the lyrics will help

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  jack

They translate to English, they’re done.

123
123
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

He said he won’t

Irishfan
Irishfan
4 years ago

90s Eurovision but a great voice

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

It not being in English is a strength. The Dream might’ve been better if it didn’t have those crap English lyrics, so the fact that a strong vocalist with a good, building ballad can avoid it this time around already bodes better. That being said, just like with Slovenia, my admiration for sticking with a native language is countered only by the fact that the song is fine, but not incredible. It might qualify if his live vocal is as wonderful as it is here, but it’s not safe in my opinion. Let’s see, though! Good luck, Damir. Anyhoo, after… Read more »

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

That´s my list

Italy 9/10
Lithuania 8/10
Slovenia 8/10
Spain 7/10
Ukraine 7/10
Norway 7/10
Czech Republic 6/10
United Kingdom 6/10
Croatia 6/10
Belarus 5/10
Belgium 5/10
Latvia 5/10
Iceland 4/10
Australia 3/10
Albania 3/10
Estonia 2/10
Germany 2/10
France 1/10
Armenia 1/10
Poland 0/10
Moldova 0/10

Glorious Mustache
Glorious Mustache
4 years ago

Oh that’s nice. 3 countries today gave us the perfect songs to skip and go to the bathroom while they perform. Thanks Estonia, Moldova & Croatia.

ben005
ben005
4 years ago

Someone translated the lyrics of Divlji vjetre: Wild Wind of Mine On a day when you forget my name And my bed turns lonely and cold When icy snow covers all around us And freezing cold completely takes hold I will still love you and then Wild Wind of mine Just leave me be in this deafening silence Where every word sounds hollow and bland Leave me be and leave me to my own bliss Not knowing how to become a man The thing you’re not any more Wild Wind of Mine Blow wilted leaves to the palm of this… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  ben005

Simple, but cute. Nice imagery.

Ante
Ante
4 years ago

Awaiting Filip to represent Croatia in 2021 – till then, no finals for Croatia as the song is mediocre. Kedzo is a wonderful person and singer, but this song is a meltdown.

bastian
bastian
4 years ago

Mia was my favourite, but the performance could have been better. I like this ballad. I think is beautiful. His voice and the backingsingers are very good. This will qualify!

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

How is it possible to still have ties in 2020? How can anything be that exact?
Damir Kedzo is no favourite of my. He has the voice but his songs are really bland. And this win hasn’t exactly won me over. It’s solid, well produced but yawn! It’s so boring

Andrei
Andrei
4 years ago

Boring and not qualifier

gilpgilp
gilpgilp
4 years ago

At least he’s not wearing wings

Giles
Giles
4 years ago

There is no denying he can sing and the song is will executed but something is missing, like a wow moment towards the end.
No doubt Damir will slay on stage because the song fits him.

ESCalator
ESCalator
4 years ago

Croatia ESC 2009 deja vu anyone? (Igor Cukrov feat. Andrea)

Stephanie
Stephanie
4 years ago

The only positive thing about this is that the guy can sing, the song itself… Thanks but no thanks

Teddi
Teddi
4 years ago

Oh gosh, I can’t stand this little Ariana Grande vibe divas in the comment section leaving negative comments on every song that’s a ballad, while getting to their night shift at McDonalds.

Koen
Koen
4 years ago
Reply to  Teddi

That’s sharp. I think we might become friends. 🙂

About the song, until the Molitva-style backing vocals were added, the song didn’t do much for me apart from the drums and the charismatic presence that is Damir. The backing vocals uplift the song a lot and if they get a spot outside of the shadows and more into the spotlight, I could see a qualification for Croatia this year.

ESCalator
ESCalator
4 years ago

The only thing I remember is the shouting and the veins bulging on his neck. No grand final, helaas…:(

Serafina
Serafina
4 years ago

I had zero expectations cause everyone was talking trash about this, but it’s actuall my favorite song from Croatia since 2016, which was the only song from Croatia I liked since 2010, which is as far as I went with Eurovision ever since I discovered it in 2018.

Rich Uk
Rich Uk
4 years ago

What is there not to like with a Balkan ballad. Damir certainly has a fine voice. I really like it!

Denis
Denis
4 years ago
Reply to  Rich Uk

Not everything is a Balkan ballad. This just an ordinary ballad. Balkan ballad needs to have traditional sounds and instruments from the Balkan countries mixed in. Without it it’s just a ballad. A boring one..

Krista
Krista
4 years ago

It’s weird but even though I don’t usually like these types of songs this really touched me! I thought he was great, and the song had an interesting melody which appeals to me. This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I’m rooting for it! Good luck Croatia!

Babz
Babz
4 years ago

I cannot see this entering the finals. Too generic and unmemorable. Quite similar to the last years entry

It's me
It's me
4 years ago

Mia robbed in Croatia, Julia Ilienko and Mishel Dar in Moldova and Traffic in Estonia. I hope tomorrow Greece, Serbia and Romania will chose good songs.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

Damir is good and the song is a decent conventional ballad. But I must say that tonight I watched all the 16 performances, his was the very last one and I couldn’t remember much about it when I’ve seen he was fighting for the trophy with Mia and Indira. So, I would say Croatia will need some staging tricks to make it more distinctive. Hope they keep it in Croatian and maybe I’ll warm up to it after reading the translated lyrics. Anybody can tell me what it’s the song about?

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

They’ll have a smaller stage separated by a see-through led, right? I would get Damir there. Try to make it between him and the audience. Or maybe use a dancer like they did with Jaagup, though I don’t know how comfortable he would be with a choreography.