On Monday nine more countries had their first rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Torino.

Finland’s The Rasmus opened with “Jezebel” — their pop-rock number about the Biblical trouble-maker — and Cyprus’ Andromache closed the day with “Ela”, performing inside of a glorious seashell. In between we saw Israel (lots of white), Serbia (wash basin), Azerbaijan (staircases), Georgia (the entire circus), Malta (fan disco-ball-like outfit), San Marino (mechanical bull), and Australia (silver bedazzled face mask).

But who slayed the hardest? 

You can watch the official clips on the Eurovision TikTok account and then watch all of our reaction videos in the playlist above. You can also read our quick summaries of each rehearsal here. Then vote in our poll. 

Poll: Who had the best first rehearsal at Eurovision 2022 on 2 May?

 

 

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pedro
1 year ago

why are tehy gey

The truth
1 year ago

I think we’ve got your message that you hate these countries.

Nicky
Nicky
1 year ago

can we give more love to Emma, about how elegant and classy her staging also looks, with that golden colour scheme and how good this will very likely look on tv ok she might not be a girl we can relate to, but at the end of the day family wealth aside she still is a girl with ambitions and dreams too, and it is very sweet to see her having such a good time as well, smiling throughout her rehearsal, she has such a beautiful smile too, and this deffo has potential to do better with televoters than some… Read more »

Jan
Jan
1 year ago

Loooooove Serbia and San Marino, the rest not so much.

Rob
Rob
1 year ago

you have said this multiple times. I think we got your point the first time!

Colin
Colin
1 year ago

Serbia, San Marino, Cyprus, Australia, and Finland feel like strong contenders. I wouldn’t discount Georgia either, especially if they are going for psychedelic post-production effect as they did in 2016. If so, it wouldn’t be visible from the rehearsals. I feel like San Marino’s only concern are the juries, as it looks like something enough televoters will eat up. There’s nothing like it. Cyprus and Australia feel visually striking enough for the televoters, yet polished enough for the juries.

Yup
Yup
1 year ago

Finland, San Marino & Cyprus made the biggest impacts, and are pretty sure to qualify.

Nina
Nina
1 year ago

I’m actually nervous with Australia’s chances at qualification but I love the staging and outfit. This half of the semi-final seems soo strong and traditionally, australia don’t get too much love with the televote. It will be interesting to see if they are forgotten between San Marino on one end and then Cyprus following.

Jija
Jija
1 year ago

Is it just me or Maltese poor song gives JESC vibes with this staging??

Hector
Hector
1 year ago
Reply to  Jija

Nope. Just you.
You’re all alone in this!

Ukraine stan
Ukraine stan
1 year ago
Reply to  Jija

Yup, it’s always had that happy go lucky simplistic message that is great for children. There are quite a few children in my family i’d see eating this right up

Sabrina
Sabrina
1 year ago

The only song from this group I have a strong connection with is “In Corpore Sano”, but this was an encouraging day of rehearsals, with some countries seriously upping their game. San Marino will give us the full Achille Lauro experience (and yes, this means some people will totally hate it) and I guess this is exactly what they need to fight for a spot in the final. I’ve seen Cyprus being listed as a borderline qualifier by many, but I guess with these visuals they’re a lock. And the Azeri delegation is one more time doing everything they can… Read more »

Tom
Tom
1 year ago

Cyprus and Azer eurofans spamming the whole thread. The fact you have creative staging doesnt justify bad song..

Aquarius here
Aquarius here
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

Finaly someone reasonable

Mariia
Mariia
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

I love the song of Azerbaijan. Agree with Cyprus

Lina
Lina
1 year ago
Reply to  Tom

Do you check each person id and you know their Nationality? Personal i saw many Maltese and Polish fans to spam but ok most probably you like that songs and you don’t have any problem. And something last …. the wiwibloggs team accept their comments, so if you have any problem with spamming you can send a complain message to wiwibloggs.

Aquarius here
Aquarius here
1 year ago

So, I would say that no matter how good someones staging is, bad song is a bad song… On the other hand, good staging can define whos going through (in this case that’s San Marino). Maltas song is so boring, I think there are many better songs in this semy. And Cyprus, I need to see the whole performance, as much as I could see, she seem stiff, focused on every move to make it right, no smile, no charisma…

jana
jana
1 year ago

Cyprus slayed

Antonio
Antonio
1 year ago

My top 3 today:

1. Serbia
2. Cyprus
3. San Marino

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Hot take, I’m not fond of San Marino’s staging. Seems messy and all over the place rather than ‘outrageous’ and ‘daring’

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

That’s why I actually like it, Achille sells it

Jo.
Jo.
1 year ago

can’t wait to watch the perfomances in full!!

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

Honestly, all of the above suprised me in a good way with their staging. They included things I never thought they would include.

Timi
Timi
1 year ago

In love with San Marino, Serbia, and Cyprus today. Stunning previews! Also I adore Sheldon’s new outfit! Semi 2 is the strongest one and we just saw half of it!

Miguel
Miguel
1 year ago

Cyprus really surprise me positively

Matt
Matt
1 year ago

I’m expecting some people’s opinions to drastically change when we see the second rehearsals.

This isn’t a dig at people who are analysing these tiktok’s a lot, it’s coming from a place of excitement, but I think things could change even more when we see more in the second rehearsals.

Mariah
Mariah
1 year ago

Cyprus will not qualify! It’s so funny that it’s first!

Miguel
Miguel
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariah

Why do you think so?

jana
jana
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariah

Re-read your comment again…the last part. Maybe take a note of that

Mariia
Mariia
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariah

true

The truth
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariah

That would be a shame.

Lina
Lina
1 year ago
Reply to  Mariah

Stop to spam to every post about Cyprus!

Harut
Harut
1 year ago

The Cypriot staging is very majestic and absolutely captivating,. Australia fells like im watching a Grammy performance! Very well done.

Mariia
Mariia
1 year ago

agree with Malta

jack
jack
1 year ago

get ostur

Lucie
Lucie
1 year ago

Reading all the comments made me pee on myself of laughter! All those stupid analyses based on 5 seconds tik tok snippets that show absolutely nothing! Are you guys serious??? Most of you throw a shade on acts that you initially don’t like and that puts you in no objective position to comment on the rehearsals. Let’s patiently water to Wednesday when we will be able to see the actual full performances with all the special effects that no one can know what and how it should be right now. It’s ok to like or dislike a song, but please… Read more »

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Lucie

They’ve said they will release FULL second rehersals on Wenesday on the MAIN Youtube channel.

Jghtl
1 year ago

Full? Not just 20-30sec clips?

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago

X2

Bella
Bella
1 year ago

I know this kind of incessant click-baity polls is the trademark of Wiwi, but these rehearsal polls are absolutely ridiculous this year… You can barely see half a second of rehearsal footage on Tik Tok, filmed from a huge distance and with terrible sound. What are people even voting off, no one can properly see the rehearsals this year…

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

Well then, the solution is simple: Wait until the Semi Final. If you don’t like the TikTok videos, don’t watch them. If you don’t like the poll posts, don’t read them. And if the solution is followed, there would be no need to complain to the rest of us. And we all lived happily ever after. 🙂

Bella
Bella
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I opened an article titled “Who had the best rehearsal” and was therefore expecting to see rehearsal footage (very silly of me, I know), but the material that is circulating can hardly be called that. This is not about me “not liking the TikTok videos”, I’m simply pointing out that there is literally no rehearsal footage this year.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

Indeed, you’re not alone there. William, Suzanne and others have also complained about the same thing on some of their YouTube videos. My reply was more about how you seemed to direct the blame at Wiwi’s poll posts when it is clearly not their fault.
My opinion on the TikTok videos is that they are supposed to be only a small teaser, otherwise too much footage would ruin the contest before it is transmitted.

Polegend Godnova
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

well you aren’t wrong. the betting odds have barely moved after these first rehearsals, because we didn’t get to see anything haha

Ravencrow Neversmiles
Ravencrow Neversmiles
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

You’re taking it too seriously. The polls are just harmless fun. Just vote for the one that gave you the best vibes and move on. Or don’t look at the poll at all.

Bella
Bella
1 year ago

Oh trust me, there’s nothing I take less seriously than these incessant polls lol (Who’s the best Scandinavian song, who has the best song in the GMT timezone, who has the best lyrics, who has the best hair style, who has the prettiest feet, etc.). Just pointing out that this one takes the ridicule to a whole other level, since there is nothing to vote off.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

You joke now, but I’m sure that prettiest feet poll would rake in the votes.

Ziv
Ziv
1 year ago
Reply to  Bella

It would not be bad for the best lyrics poll, which is at least related to the artistic aspect of the songs. But still, I agree that it shows nothing when the polls ask who has the best song within a certain geographical or ethnic group. Btw, the best feet? you need to require all artists to perform barefeet first.

James
James
1 year ago

San Marino was great, Finland was an explosion and Azerbaijan really creative. As for Cyprus, the staging seems kind of cheap, if it qualifies, it will end up between 16-20 position.

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  James

It will qualify, but will end somewhere mid table

Sophia
Sophia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

I feel like it will end pretty similarly to how last year ended, around 16th place

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  Sophia

Same

Ema
Ema
1 year ago

BITI ZDRAVA. THIS MUST WIN. THE END

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Achille serving Hatari night at the circus madness is definitely the most fun the stage saw today! Awesome that San Marino not only look set to qualify for the third time in a row, they look like one of the strongest of this pack.

Roelof M
Roelof M
1 year ago

San Marino and Cyprus were both really awesome, I think Cyprus will be a comfortable qualifier (I thought they would easily make it before the rehearsals as well) and San Marino could really make the televote top 5 and qualify. Serbia and Australia delivered as expected, and Azerbaijan and Malta also managed to polish their plastic entries. I was disappointed with Finland, Israel and Georgia. Finland really needs to work on the vocals because the staging was awesome but he was flat throughout.

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago
Reply to  Roelof M

If this means Finland NQs, I’d rather they don’t work on the issues. I don’t want them to choose rock next year.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

What a day! Everyone was terrific today, so thank you to everyone, and thank you to Wiwibloggs again. All the artists seemed to bring their A-game today, so it was difficult to pick out a favourite. Interesting that fans are picking out Andromache (Cyprus)for their favourite, because I wasn’t really feeling that one as much. It was the least memorable one for me today (sorry). Of course I always worry about Sheldon (Australia) generally, but specifically I want to advise him not to over-sing too soon. Save it for the Semi! Achille is amazing, Konstrakta is mesmerising, The Rasmus are… Read more »

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

These rehearsals definitely bode well for the live show, considering many fans were saying how weak the first half of the SF2 show was going to be. Glad you enjoyed them all today 🙂

I’m hoping Mircus can bring a little more Circus though – they don’t want to be out-circused by Achille…

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Thanks. Circus Mircus is bringing the indie circus though, not the strip club circus. 🙂
I guess I’m on a high today after the shock factor of the first two days.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
1 year ago

Finland, Cyprus, San Marino & Australia for me. But, 3 out 4 will qualify for the final and I do feel for Achille. I hope he does get through as a shock qualifier but, I don’t count on it.

Tina
Tina
1 year ago

San Marino had definitely the most compelling performance today, he’s got my vote!
Of course his Italian fans expected nothing less, but what a surprise to see Boss Doms on guitar. Lauro and Boss together on the Eurovision stage is a dream come true, yeah!

Sos
Sos
1 year ago

I love Finland and Serbia, but (talking about the stage) Achille is hard to beat. I’m very proud of him, even if he won’t make it to the final

Sos
Sos
1 year ago
Reply to  Sos

Anyway:

  1. San Marino
  2. Serbia
  3. Azerbaijan
  4. Finland
  5. Georgia
  6. Cyprus
  7. Australia
  8. Malta
  9. Israel
Francis
Francis
1 year ago

Definitely Cyprus was the best for me from today’s rehearsals, followed by San Marino. I strongly believe that Cyprus is now a definite qualifier (I was a little unsure before).

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago

Definitely today’s rehearsals were the best so far. I was surprised by San Marino but pleased because I knew Achille wasn’t going to disappoint. Also, Cyprus delivered and put the right things in the right place, I’m so happy for Andromache. Australia and Serbia delivered too and, while their stagings weren’t the very best of the night imo, they just secured their place at the final. On the other hand, Finland and Georgia were pretty decent, Malta and Israel were meh, and Azerbuyjan had a slick staging as usual but I still hope they don’t qualify, their song’s terrible and… Read more »

Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
1 year ago

I think you guys need to realize the actually gargantuan score malta will get from the jury. it’s gospel and contemporary with one of the best voices. also the running order has it before a commercial break and it’s in between two entries who the jury will absolutely ignore. it’s top three in the jury for malta as it usually gets huge jury scores anyways yes.

Ema B
Ema B
1 year ago

I don’t deny it, song is still the most generic I’ve ever heard

Dane
Dane
1 year ago

My top for today: Azerbaijan (I love the staging and the song. He has one of the best vocals this year)  Cyprus (song is growing on me, and the staging looks good) Serbia (Konstrakta is iconic) Israel (this is a guilty pleasure for me. I dont mind this qualifying)  Australia (I always forget the verses, but the chorus is really good. Perfect voice) Malta (the song is okay, the staging looks good, and she has a strong vocal) Finland (I like the yellow and black combination. Song is okay) San Marino (the staging is amazing, but not enough for me… Read more »

Dane
Dane
1 year ago
Reply to  Dane

I feel these downvotes are because I like Azerbaijan. BUT IM PROUD TO SAY IT.

lia
lia
1 year ago
Reply to  Dane

nah, we just find it cringeworthy

Jake
Jake
1 year ago

I think it’s interesting how many people are really taken by staging and props…I think you have to go back to 2015 for a winner to rely on truly complex props that helped drive it’s win…all other winners were based on song/performance

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  Jake

I agree, but props help songs that weren’t that good to reach the final, or songs that were good but not enough to reach the top 10

Nicomro
1 year ago
Reply to  Jake

Staging of Netherlands 2019 and Ukraine 2016 helped them being efficient in my opinion (:

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

May 12th, 1st half of the 2nd Semi-Final surely is going to be fun! As “The Voice Of Reason” said in the live post, it will potentially be an extremely entertaining “freak” show! And I definitely agree with that person. How couldn’t I, when we’ve got: – an edgy undead famous rock band of the past, -a “yassified” and very confident homo guy (just mentioning it as a characteristic, don’t attack me) -a minister of healthcare with a witch’s degree -a howling half-wolf, half-human -an entire circus crew -a time traveller pop-star from the 2000’s -a modern sea goddess -a… Read more »

Jghtl
1 year ago

Definitely the best day till now.
Cyprus and San Marino really suprised me. They will q
Azerbeijan also got elevated with this staging, possible qualification.
Malta is a bit meh to me. Nq
Georgia is okay. Probably nq
Finland, im neutral, they will probably qualify.
Australia and Serbia will qualify for sure.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

No to Azerbaijan, the song is appalling and staging is average, this won’t qualify which is a shame as Emil can really sing. Not so sure about San Marino, without Italy to back them up in that semi, I really think they are gonna struggle.

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Well yeah, everything can change. We still have to see full performances

Tedd
Tedd
1 year ago

This was so interesting, because I voted for my two least favorite songs in this Semi, San Marino and Azerbaijan.

They blew me away with their staging. I didn’t doubt Azerbaijan, but San Marino baby, oh wow, that’s a whole show!!! I still don’t like the song so it’s hard to say I want him to qualify, but the stage was amazing.

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

My top 9 entries of the day (keep in mind that I’m including ALL elements in an entry and NOT TAKING REGARD OF THE BROKEN SUN): 1. Serbia – “In Corpore Sano” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (REHEARSALS: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 30/30)* 2. Georgia – “Lock Me In” (SONG: 7/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (REHEARSALS: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 27/30)* 3. Cyprus – “Ela” (SONG: 7.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9/10) – (REHEARSALS: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 26.5/30)* 4. Australia – “Not The Same” (SONG: 7/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9.5/10) – (REHEARSALS: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 26.5/30)* 5. Azerbaijan* – “Fade… Read more »

michaela
michaela
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

i love yr enthusiasm <3

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago
Reply to  michaela

I LIVE and BREATHE for this show during all these 4 months, hehe. 😀

Anna Annita
Anna Annita
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

A pa pa…

Sarina
Sarina
1 year ago

Cyprus and San Marino.

Héctor
Héctor
1 year ago

San Marino and Australia look so over the top. That could go against them as the general audience might think it is too much. I like both songs as both are in my top 10. It is also true Achille is very charismatic and can pull out every single crazy idea that cross his mind. As for Australia, I don’t know what they think about Eurovision down there but I’m starting to belive they think of Eurovision as huge gay circus broadcast on TV rather than a music contest. Almost every year they bring an over the top performance (first… Read more »

Ema B
Ema B
1 year ago
Reply to  Héctor

Not sure how you could judge how over the top Sheldon’s was from a couple of seconds but…yeah. I live in Australia by the way and no it’s not treated like a what did you say? ‘huge gay circus’ Not sure what acts you are referring to but other than Zero Gravity which I don’t think you can call a circus l, struggles to fit that definition.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

Cyprus has the most creative and visually attractive staging that will be much rewarded by jury, but I think Serbia will do the best out of these countries that rehearsed today.

Eurovision2016>
Eurovision2016>
1 year ago

So malta basically confirmed it’s a guaranteed qualifier given the likely jury support. Very likely top ten in the final given that it’s pretty much a replica of ira losco who was on the fringes of a top ten finish in the strongest esc ever. cyprus also impressed and could win.

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago

And then you woke up.

Jghtl
1 year ago

Hmm, no

Nicky
Nicky
1 year ago

looks all in all to be very professional and this will standout even more with juries compared to a Georgia before it and a San Marino after it whom are just two huge no’s with juries lol Cyprus might become a problem for Australia too i think where they standout more with that visual masterpiece i really hope Malta will qualify, Emma so deserves to be there in the final, also with her efforts trying to also impress the public even more, also nice storytelling in her entry i think, first her childhood love for the piano and then her… Read more »

Nicky
Nicky
1 year ago

Malta really wowed me, was already a fan of Emma, but definitely did not expect such a serve of a very potentially very entertaining show act

Also like Cyprus, Serbia stagings a lot

I love Sheldon but i keep feeling worried he might struggle a lot in televote with quite some of public failing to connect with his song

nzzz
nzzz
1 year ago

Cyprus has perfect stage, good idea and the best today definitely…Second for me is Achille Lauro, so american, so sexy, stage BURNS and third Serbia, perfect performance never no need to change, some new details which only complete story…Others are standard…Greeting from Serbia!!