Sometimes predictions just don’t reflect the eventual results. At Junior Eurovision 2014 we were saddened to see Cyprus’ Sophia Patsalides fall on the right side of the scoreboard, and we were surprised (albeit pleased) to see Armenia win twelve points from so many countries. But the most surprising result was the most important one, as this year’s only male contestant soared all the way to first place on his country’s debut. We are pleased to announce that our readers have awarded Italy’s Vincenzo Cantiello the 2014 Compass Band Award for Biggest Surprise. It’s a surprise, but it’s a pleasant one!
Compass Band Award for Biggest Surprise
Our readers cast a total of 898 votes. Here is how the Top 3 finished.
1. Vincenzo Cantiello – Italy; 299 votes, 33%
2. Betty – Armenia; 168 votes, 19%
3. Krisia, Hasan, and Ibrahim – Bulgaria; 79 votes, 9%
Prior to November 15, few suspected that Italy would crack the top 10. Many Junior Eurofans described his song as drab, and thought its subject was too mature for a fifteen year old. But when Vincenzo got on the stage and sang his heart out, our cameraman called an Italian victory — and was correct at the end of the night.
Vincenzo is the latest in a long tradition of stars defying the odds to score big. Armenia’s Compass Band performed “Sweetie Baby” in 2012, and no one thought Armenia would climb the scoreboard. After all, they were wobbling between blues and rock, two genres that don’t succeed in the Europop-dominated contest. However, they placed third when all was said and done, and our jaws were bruised brutally.
The award is just one of a dozen awards you can vote for in the first annual Wiwi Junior Awards. Our 12 categories—from best dressed to most most wronged at JESC—will identify the contestants who left the biggest impression on Junior Eurovision fans, regardless of whether they won the contest or not.
For me it will remain the biggest surprise as in the polls, Malta and Bulgaria were the most likely to win and they deserved it.
For me biggest suprise is overatted result for Armenia at Junior Eurovision. When I heard song from Italy , i thougt that Italy wili be in TOP 3 or maybe win. For Armenia , when i heard i think they wili be out of TOP 5 100 %, and maybe 50 % out from TOP 10.
Italy was a HUGE surprise. I voted Armenia though, even though I really liked the song, I thought it would end around last.
Cool!
Good on Italy. Although I think I voted for San Marino for this award, let’s remember how much MANY folks criticized the song at first but until they went on stage, it was better than the audio.
i think bulgaria deserved it more