The final ten finalists at Eurovision 2013 have now been chosen, and Team Wiwi had a front row seat at the press conference. Romania’s Cezar Ouatu got emotional about his father; Hungary’s ByeAlex quoted Nietzschze; and Armenia’s Dorians admitted to being surprised. William was frantically typing throughout all of it. The contestants also drew their running order position for the final. It’s not an exact number, but rather “first half” or “second half” as at the first semi-final press conference. SVT producers will decide their exact starting position overnight.

qualifiers, questions, and answers

Azerbaijan: Farid Mammadov with “Hold Me”

Azerbaijan's Farid Mammadov
Azerbaijan’s Farid Mammadov

You promised that you would show me something if you qualified. Please do. [Farid moves to the floor and does a back somersault].

What did you think the moment before you entered the stage? “Before the semi-final stage performance I was thinking about nothing. Only positive thinking, only positive feelings. Everything was positive and I was only thinking about the final.”

What about taking Eurovison back to the Land of Fire? “That is a good idea. Why not? The main aim this year for me is to show the best performance and to be one of the best singers in Eurovision. So I’m focused on that. But it would be good if Eurovision went back to Baku.”

What’s the message behind your song? “First of all I would like to say thanks to [my Greek team]. It was a big honor for you to work with us.”

Running order draw: Second half

Finland: Krista Siegfrids with “Marry Me”

Finland's Krista Seigfrids
Finland’s Krista Seigfrids

Krista asks if Farid wants to marry her. Farid says, “Maybe if you ‘Hold Me’.”

What were you thinking when everything was over? “I was so happy. I am so proud of my Ding Dong girls. We had so much fun on stage and I think that you felt that. It felt amazing…The kiss? She’s a good kisser.”

You just released a fabulous new album. Will that be released internationally? Can you beat Lordi? “Well I hope my album is going to be released all over Europe. At least you can get it on iTunes and all over Spotify. I hope we can beat Lordi. We’ve got the outfits. But we look better than Lordi for sure.”

Have you spoken to your boyfriend yet? “I haven’t had the time to check my phone yet, but if he hasn’t proposed to me yet I’m going to marry some other guy or some other girl here….I’ve been skipping dinner to get thinner.”

Running order draw: First half

Malta: Gianluca Bezzina with “Tomorrow”

The emcee asks Gianluca how he is feeling and he starts singing Loreen’s “Euphoria”.

The island is going crazy right now. How did you feel on stage? “I’m sorry to be boring but I have to say, ‘Euphoria!’ On stage it was simply a euphoric feeling. I’m sorry to say I don’t remember a second on stage because I was so in ecstasy, I was so high. I enjoyed it so much and my team I have to thank them.” Do you have to go back to work next week? “I’m on duty on Thursday, so I will have to [go back to work].”

You visited a children’s hospital some days ago. What was that like? “As a doctor we also decided to visit a children’s hospital here in Sweden. In fact we went to Lund. I must say it was the best day ’til now I had in Malmö. Obviously today beat it. It was an amazing day. It was so beautiful to see the children smile and sing along with our song. I was amazed that the children knew our song before we arrived at the hospital. We were able to record a song with the children. We went there to give them our smiles and joy but we ended up receiving more than we gave. It was a great experience and I would do it over and over again.

Running order draw: First half

Iceland: Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson with “Ég á Líf”

Iceland's Eythor Ingi
Iceland’s Eythor Ingi

What is it like to come from a small fishing village and end up on the world’s biggest music stage? “It feels great. I’m very thankful for the chance to do it once again and do it maybe better. Even better. I don’t have to improve anything. I will just sing my song.”

You seemed so calm on stage. “I was very relaxed because I got great people around me, like the artist on stage. My team and also the Swedish production is great. So, you know. I gotta use the chance to say takk!

What do you think of Sweden’s chances in the final? “I think he got great chances. He’s got a great song and he’s a great performer. He’s just amazing. He could win. We could all win. I really like him.”

Running order draw: Second half

Greece: Koza Mostra with “Alcohol is Free”

What was it that brought you to the final? “I don’t know. Maybe some people were a little bit drunk. We don’t really care about the thing that brought us to the final. The most important thing for us is that we’re through to the final. We don’t like to search for explanations or how we go to the final. We’re cool.”

What did you do as you entered the stage? “I was looking for my fiancé. She was somewhere I don’t know.”

Do you think Greece only advances because of neighbors? “Here is my answer. I’m a big fan of football in case you don’t know. And I love fair play, so I don’t mind if Cyprus…if we won’t get from Cyprus 12 points. Really. I’m a big fan of fair play and I prefer fair play in Eurovision too.”

Your country’s name was called last. Did you think at any stage you weren’t through? “I was talking about it with my [delegation head]. I said a lot of bad words. You don’t want to know actually. Yes, it was more….exciting actually. I believed we could pass the final. I was very sad about the Albanian song. I’d like to say this. [The moderator tells him not to say that]. But finally we’ve done it and we just hug each other. That’s the most important thing to hug each other in our band. We are a crazy little people. We have an old one too with a mustache, but finally we did it. This is the most important thing in this night. And a great thank you to the Swedish organization. We’re very well organized.”

Running order draw: Second half

Armenia: Dorians with “Lonely Planet”

Did you expect it? “We are surprised. Of course we were not expecting it, but we did it.”

Recently you said that one of your goals for tonight was to send a message to the world with your song. Have you reached this goal? “I think that people miss honest music and we managed to spread our message to the world and we have the second chance to do it. Our message is in our song.”

Who in the band is Dorian Gray? “No one.”

Running order draw: First half

Hungary: ByeAlex with “Kedvesem”

Can you say something philosophical? “Life would be a mistake without music as Friedrich Nietzsche said.”

You were almost totally unknown even in Hungary four months ago. What is your secret? “It’s hard to say but I feel that something in my song has gotten through to people. Even if I’m singing in Hungarian it seems like other speakers got it.”

You looked so calm and peaceful. Are you even nervous on stage? “Actually I am. Yeah, I was really nervous. I almost fainted but it could have been because I didn’t have time to eat beforehand, so I need to work on that.”

Running order draw: Second half

Norway: Margaret Berger with “I Feed You My Love”

Norway's Margaret berger
Norway’s Margaret berger

You were here a couple of days ago. How does it feel now? “I feel so grateful. I’m really, really happy to be in the final. I feel like I can go back to Norway with my head held high now.”

How will you prepare? “I think our team works really hard with all the details. We practice every day and we will continue to do that. And get a lot of sleep. That is usually good for the voice.”

Some people say that you look like Lady Gaga and that your music is similar. What would you say to these people? “If you go to YouTube and watch my video from 2006 Samantha I’d say that Lady Gaga looks like me.”

What went through your head when Norway was announced? Also, today is also Norway’s national day and you reached the final. Do you have time to celebrate? “I have a really nice dress that I bought six months ago. It’s red, white and blue. I’m gong to wear it for a couple of hours and have a glass of champagne. It feels really good to be in the Norwegian delegation on the 17th of May. I think there was just an explosion in my head when Norway was announced. I was not expecting it. I don’t take anything for granted.”

Can Norway afford to organize it? “That’s not for me.”

Running order draw: Second half

Georgia: Nodi & Sophie with “Waterfall”

What did you say to each other before entering the stage? “I said I love you and Sophie did too.”

What does it mean for you to be in the final? “This is very important not only for us, but also for Georgia and I want to tell you we had in Georgia a day of mourning because three soldiers died in Dagestan. Our performance was dedicated to our soldiers. We want to tell our big thanks to [some people wiwibloggs cannot identify].

You guys were absolutely amazing. If you win and Georgia hosts, what do I tell my wife about Georgia so I can convince her to come with me? “We Georgian people know very good living and love each other. I don’t know. Whether we win or not you can come to Georgia and good luck to all.”

Running order draw: Second half

Romania: Cezar Ouatu with “It’s My Life”

Romania's Cezar
Romania’s Cezar

You are different. “Not so different. Maybe we are different. I don’t know.” The last time we met you said you have so many fans here. “I’m really happy. I think I’m already a winner just because I’m in the final. An opera singer and a countertenor in the final of Eurovision. It’s such a big pleasure to recycle good or bad opinions. I put all of my love into this and I put even more in the final, so I don’t want to disappoint the audience. Thank you Romania. Thank you Sweden. And all the millions of people who vote for me. I cried for half an hour after my result. I’m too sensitive I think. I have to be a little bit more..many people think I am a bad guy.” Many people say you look like Dracula. “Yeah. [When it comes to Romanians] it’s Dracula or Nadia Comaneci, so why not Cezar? I’m really happy to represent my country. I’m the first opera singer in the final of Eurovision….I don’t have any words.”

I’m so proud of you. I want to know if there is any special person in your life that you want to thank this evening. “One of the special people of my life even if he’s not here, or he is somewhere in the sky, is my father. I lost my father three years ago. He was one of my best friends and colleagues. I really feel him in this semi-final and I dedicate this semi-final to my father, so thank you.”

Who will be here on Saturday evening at the winner’s press conference? [Cezar points to himself]. “I’m joking. I already told you I feel like a winner just because I’m in the final. I must say this year it’s not really clear. I really believe in paradox. I have my favorites. Not because it’s very close to me…Georgia…I really love it. It’s a great love song. It’s great atmosphere. Norway, it’s a good vibe. I have many favorites. For example Ukraine great voice.”

Running order draw: Second half

Photo: Dennis Stachel (EBU)

You can read our song reviews on the Wiwi Jury page. Then read the lyrics to this year’s entries on our contestants page. And then vote for your favourite contestants in our various polls.

25 Comments
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Ola
Ola
10 years ago

Amzing performance of Azerbaijan!! I like it very much!

fira
10 years ago

Farid please win <3

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Farid said that his goal is to be one of the best singers on Eurovision. Well, the goal is achieved, now you just have to go on and win the finale!

Leta
Leta
10 years ago

Farid Mammadov from Azerbaijan is so cute and talented guy! He was the star of the second semi-final!

LisaE
LisaE
10 years ago

Farids performance was amazing! wanna see it again and again

Marian
Marian
10 years ago

Just a link to a impartial description of CEZAR – who “is way above the rest and I’m not just talking about the high notes”.
http://eurobeatbox.com/2013/03/27/reaching-higher-with-cezar-romanias-eurovision-voice/

Alexander
Alexander
10 years ago

I liked only few countries, but Azerbaijan was so good on stage. Very very good.

Alexander
Alexander
10 years ago

What an amazing performer Farid is! I’m so impressed! 12 points to Azerbaijan!

Natalie
Natalie
10 years ago

Farid is so cutie!! I wish him good luck!

Grim
Grim
10 years ago

 “If you go to YouTube and watch my video from 2006 Samantha I’d say that Lady Gaga looks like me.”

You tell that journalist, Margaret!
Geez, everything not mainstream is apparently copied from Lady Gaga, even though she’s obviously not the first one to do what she does.

SQFan
SQFan
10 years ago

@ giorgio

You’re right giorgio, the winner is in this semi final and although she was only on-screen for three seconds, I’m glad you agree Cascada is the winner of ESC 2013 🙂

Gabi
Gabi
10 years ago

1. SAN MARINO reminded us SAN REMO (good italian song)
2. AZERBAIJAN – good lyrics and music, great presentation (glass box)
3. FINLAND – wtf – LADY GAGA – lesbian porn! Who Does She Think She Is? MADONNA?
4. GREECE – they pass the crisis – because alchool is free! LOL
5. NORWAY – reminds us on DEPECHE MODE – Its no good.
6. ALBANIA – LONG LIVE ROCK AND ROLL (too bad they didnt make it)

giorgio
giorgio
10 years ago

I think the first semifinal was harder but the winner is in this semifinal 😉

nikki
10 years ago

Fikri
the meaning of the hold me > even is take me, ok but you don’t know it, because you don’t know english very wel you are natural ……mber. and Farid said that if you hold me > yeni eger meni tutsaniz
guya ozun yaxsi bilirsende ingilis dilini amma senin ingiliscem bax budur loooooooooooool pssssssssss

nikki
10 years ago

Fikri >the meaning of the hold me > even is take me, ok but you don’t know it, because you are cucumber and is natural cucumber. and Farid said that if you hold me > yeni eger meni tutsaniz
guya ozun yaxsi bilirsende ingilis dilini amma senin ingiliscem bax budur loooooooooooool pssssssssss

Xepher Sicarius
Xepher Sicarius
10 years ago

“I don’t mind if Cyprus if we won’t get from Cyprus 12 points. Really. I’m a big fan of fair play and I prefer fair play in Eurovision too.”

Oh the smell of irony, and 99% chance if Cyprus made it to the final Greece would give them 12 points. Pffftt whatever

nikki
10 years ago

scarlish and redarrow thank you to we love you Malta gggoooooo Azerbaijan and Malta

Fakhri
Fakhri
10 years ago

Someone please explain: why aren’t they picking their exact orders for the final like it used to be?

redarrow
10 years ago

yes thank you azerbajian malta loves you

scarlish
10 years ago

@ nikki thank you for supporting malta

nikki
10 years ago

Fikri >Go away from here the best lol is yourself you don’t know it but everybody know it, loooooooool poor jealous. basqada deyeceyim yoxdur yaziq paxilliqivi catdirmaqa zaman itirmemisen

daniel
10 years ago

well done malta number 1 🙂

Fikri
Fikri
10 years ago

lol, wtf… farid didn’t even answer his question. and “maybe if you hold me”?? lol!

nikki
10 years ago

Congratulations Azerbaijan and Malta you are the best
Tebrikler Ferid biz seni cox sevirik. land of fire < Azerbaijannnnnn

redarrow
10 years ago

go malta welldone thank you europe