Tonight is the first semi-final of the Moldovan national selection “O Melodie pentru Europa” (A song for Europe). However, in true former Soviet country fashion, Moldova has followed the example of Belarus and changed its mind once again: broadcaster Teleradio Moldova eventually admitted one more song to the first semi-final, thus replacing Denis Latisev, who withdrew two weeks ago. The new song that made the cut is Margarita Ciorici’s “Coma”.
Nonetheless, our readers have chosen their favourites in last week’s poll, which didn’t include “Coma”, and the results are in. According to you, the Moldovan national selection “O melodie pentru Europa” is not only dominated by female singers, but it is also expected to be won by one.
The first semi-final will unquestionably be Aliona Moon’s to win, by a large margin. 43.27% of you have voted for her ballad, “A Million”, written by last year’s Moldovan representative, Pasha Parfeny. It is worth noting that 23-year old Aliona Moon (real name: Aliona Munteanu; she’s pictured at top) was one of the backing vocalists for Pasha in Baku, so she will not be new to the Eurovision stage.
Svetlana Bogdanova with “Conquer my heart” and Boris Covali with “Runaway” trail way behind Aliona with approximately 12% of the votes each. (Boris Covali, who literally broke a leg by slipping on ice in February, is expected to perform his song with a leg cast tonight and will rely on his dancers to make a good impression.)
First semi-final poll results
Diana Staver – Underestimated 4.81% (5 votes)
Vitalie Maciunschi – I Want You Back 4.81% (5 votes)
Cristina V & Glam Girls – Celebrate 5.77% (6 votes)
Doinita Gherman – Planeta e un rai 1.92% (2 votes)
Stela Botan – Inima mea 2.88% (3 votes)
Vitalie Negruta – You’ll Be Mine 7.69% (8 votes)
Aliona Moon – A Million 43.27% (45 votes)
Ruslan Taranu – Amadeus 0.96% (1 votes)
Boris Covali – Runaways 11.54% (12 votes)
Felicia Dunaf – Codename Felice 3.85% (4 votes)
Svetlana Bogdanova – Conquer My Heart 12.5% (13 votes)
The second semi-final should pose no threat to Tatiana Heghea, who is leading the poll with a third of the votes. She was also Pasha Parfeny’s backing vocalist last year and is aiming to represent Moldova by herself with “A Brighter Day” in Malmö:
Female duo Cristina Croitoru & Karizma’s song “Never Fall Again” is also expected to make the Final on Saturday, with 28% of the votes cast in its favour. According to your preferences, Nicoleta Gavrilita and Irina Kitoroaga should also qualify, with almost 10% of the votes each.
Second semi-final poll results
Tatiana Heghea – A Brighter Day 33.33% (29 votes)
Aurel Chirtoaca – Iarta-ma 3.45% (3 votes)
Inaya – I Need You Now 4.6% (4 votes)
Ana Gulko – Somebody Else 1.15% (1 votes)
Valeria Pasa – Show Me Your Feelings 3.45% (3 votes)
Nicoleta Gavrilita – Freaky Thong 9.2% (8 votes)
Irina Tarasiuk – Dancing Hearts 3.45% (3 votes)
FireLove – Just Smile 1.15% (1 votes)
Irina Kitoroaga – L.O.V.E. Love 8.05% (7 votes)
Cristina Scarlat – I Pray 4.6% (4 votes)
Alexandru Sendrea – In My Head 0% (0 votes)
Cristina Croitoru & Karizma – Never Fall Again 28% (24 votes)
Tonight’s first semi-final will be broadcast on Moldova 1 and online on the Teleradio Moldova website, starting 19:00 CET.
The second semi-final will take place on 14 March. It was just announced that the special guest will be Russia’s representative Dina Garipova, who is expected to deliver the latest version of “What If”, ahead of the video premiere which will take place on the 15th of March.
Seven songs from each semi-final will advance to the Final, which will be broadcast on Saturday, 16 March. The only special guest that has been confirmed so far is Alyona Lanskaya from Belarus, who premiered “Solayoh” live during the Romanian national final last Saturday.
Will you be tuning in to watch the Moldovan semi-finals? And what do you think about Margareta Ciorici’s “Coma”, will it advance to the Final?
