Leonor Andrade has won Festival da Canção with her song “Há um mar que nos separa” and will represent Portugal in Vienna.

Leonora AndradeThe young singer brought some sassy rock energy to the Festival with her pop-rock song “Há um mar que nos separa” (“There’s a sea that separates us”). It’s a big change from last year’s winner, Suzy’s summery “Quero Ser Tua”.

Leonor came second in our recent poll, with 25% of you picking her as your favourite. She was the third favourite amongst the wiwi jury, with an average score of 5.62/10. “Há um mar que nos separa” earned mixed reviews from the wiwi jury, with praise for Leonor’s soulful voice, but noting that the song lacked the wow factor.

Leonor joined Teresa Radamanto and Gonçalo Tavares in the competition’s superfinal. Wiwi jury and poll favourites Yola Dinis and Simone de Oliveira didn’t progress any further – but that’s just the Portuguese way.

Portugal haven’t qualified for the grand final since 2010. Did the Portuguese audience made the right call? Can Leonor’s rock style break that unlucky streak?

Leonor wins in Portugal: Our reactions

You can read all our Portuguese news by clicking here.

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Luis
Luis
9 years ago

This is the Song.
12 points

Walter
Walter
9 years ago

I have been incredibly underwhelmed by this year’s Eurovision entries, but this is one of the few songs that I like. Year-after-year, Portugal tends to do poorly, but this song is a breath of fresh air. I hope it does well!

Daniel_2015
Daniel_2015
9 years ago

I quite like this, but I think what I like is the potential in the song. It desperately needs a revamp, the chorus especially simply isn’t ‘bad’ enough… With a proper instrumentation, this could work really well!

I know several people already expressed the same opinion, but maybe if enough people will say it, the Portuguese will actually do something about it. I honestly want Portugal do do well in ESC, but they really should put more effort into it. I wouldn’t mind going to Lisbon again, it’s one of the most beautiful and interesting cities I’ve ever seen

Just being honest
Just being honest
9 years ago

Not a fan sorry but she is really cute and pretty without all that make-up 😉

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Leonor’s song starts well, but has a really boring chorus, and the key change adds nothing. Her voice stands out, but her song is yet another passé effort by Portugal. It has potential, yes. But they’ve got to change the instrumentals. Yola’s instrumental backing was a mess – it sounded like the instrumentalists could never properly phrase their ritardandos and accelerandos. The slow parts were too slow, and they were really rushing the fast buildups, leaving no room for Yola’s voice to expand. What a shame! It sounded much better in the semifinal. Tu tens uma magica reminds me of… Read more »

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

Leonor may have an average song for some and a good song for others but if we look at the way Eurovision has evolved musically over the last 5 years, one would say quite clearly that Portugal has lost complete touch with the international competition and sending a song to represent RTP is just … a whatever thing that they do for no reason, just to say hi to all the other countries maybe, God knows… It has been made clear to me that RTP does Festival da Canção with just one purpose: celebrate the Portuguese identity in music pressing… Read more »

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

@ lacrymea
It is not like that. If Portugal sent a good song, people would vote for it. I can’t recall any of Portuguese songs which I like. Only the entry from 2008 was quite good. Look at Austria or the Netherlands. They had waited so long, sent good songs and people voted for them! It is not a matter of a country (Portugal), it is a matter of the songs which Portugal send. I don’t know where is the reason, but they are just boring every year. This year’s song is nice, but not for Eurovision.

lacrymea
lacrymea
9 years ago

I wasn’t crazy about any of the entries. My favourite was Simone, but i’m ok with this one. It needs a bit of work in the refrain, but i see potential in it. A couple of things that bother me: 1) I read everywhere that Portugal should have sent Yola or Simone. Regardless of whom we sent, the majority of comments would still be along the lines of:’this is boring, dated, bathroom moment, yada yada’. So what’s the point? 2) Everyone’s bitching cause they usually love how Portugal sticks to their culture and tradition and Leonor doesn’t. Sure. Everyone loves… Read more »

Nikos
Nikos
9 years ago

Better than usual song for Portugal

Chris
Chris
9 years ago

A nice song, but nothing more. It makes me melancholic. It would be my break for a cup of tea. Sorry Portugal.

ESCaddict
ESCaddict
9 years ago

I am too scared to watch the video. After the horrors unleashed by the UK, I have to think twice before watching unknown songs.

Sal
Sal
9 years ago

I think there is a tiny bit of potential in there somewhere, but does need a revamp!

AnicoGreg
AnicoGreg
9 years ago

I like her! I really hope she gets to the finals. Good luck from Armeniaaaa ?

davved
davved
9 years ago

one good thing is that portugals entry this year is a bit more modern..but overall the same kind of dull nonsensical entry from portugal (the country that loves low placements)…for eurovision.

Frank21
Frank21
9 years ago

I was expecting something better ,totally dissapointed , not in my top 10

Euroviper7
Euroviper7
9 years ago

Nice song – best shot to reach the final in a few years good job portugal

olga
olga
9 years ago

Beautiful song! I really like Portugal this year and hope to see her in the final!

KUULA
KUULA
9 years ago

Nothing special but still it’s beautiful but…
and i think we already have the winning song and it’s from UK
Go UK your song is special and AMAZIIIING lots of 12 points for you from Estonia

Denise
Denise
9 years ago

A nice choice, but not enough to qualify! I am sorry, Portugal!

Nitzan
Nitzan
9 years ago

Another female warrior?

It’s…ok.

I still don’t get Portugal. They have such a beautiful language and such great musical traditions… but for ESC they almost never seem to get it right. This song takes you nowhere, it’s totally not memorable. The only thing I remember… is that the singer is very pretty.

Anyway good luck Portugal!

ESC 4ever
ESC 4ever
9 years ago

Top 25:
1-Malta
2-Iceland
3-The Netherlands
4-Ireland
5-Lithuania
6-Slovenia
7-France
8-Spain
9-Estonia
10-Italy
11-Switzerland
12-Denmark
13-Germany
14-Hungary
15-Georgia
16-Portugal
17-Latvia
18-FYR Macedonia
19-Belarus
20-Greece
21-Cyprus
22-Serbia
23-UK
24-Moldova
25-Finland

Pastora Soler haha!
Pastora Soler haha!
9 years ago

mmm

random

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
9 years ago

I would chastise Portugal for picking such a safe song but then again the UK royally messed up today so I’ll actually say this is pretty refreshing. I love Portugal’s entries, because they don’t enter the contest to win. They enter the contest to show off their own culture and to encourage their own language to be used in music (also why I adore SanRemo and FiK) . It’s really inspiring if you view it outside of the context of Eurovision. I’m proud of them every year.

Noah
Noah
9 years ago

Dear Portugal, this song is like…so dated that it may have dated my grandpa back in the days.

No good.

Otna
Otna
9 years ago

This is actually pretty good! I do hope they make those choruses a bit more powerful because the verses hold their own.

If they do that, this could REALLY stand out in Semifinal 2 which currently has nothing but English songs, so I hope Portugal can nail it!

Branko
Branko
9 years ago

When I watched Festival da Cancao on TV, I saw an ad on TV for a concert of Mickael Carreira (?)… is he famous or so, what is his music like and would it be possible that he does Eurovision for Portugal in 2016???

D
D
9 years ago

This was my favourite of the night but it’ll work as purely filler for Eurovision. I can’t see anything interesting happening with the staging so it’ll be purely disposable and probably not qualify. It’s not a bad song but it’s not good either. It never takes off. 6/10

Dodo_ESC
Dodo_ESC
9 years ago

I love it! Hope to see Portugal in the final and maybe in top 10!!!

Du
Du
9 years ago

I’ve come to admire Portugal’s entries for the Eurovision, somehow they always show something different from other countries yet being true to who they are. Leonor is just going to exhibit the rock-pop side of Portugal. In my opinion no matter how hard Portugal try, even if the song is worthy of winning the ESC it will never win due to socio-political and geography separation. Portugal has introduced Europe to some master pieces like Senhora do Mar, Lusitana Paixão, Chamar a Música, Há dias assim, E Depois do Adeus etc.. but they will never be at least in the top… Read more »

Ian
Ian
9 years ago

I didn’t expect this from Portugal, they usually send things with a super Portuguese vibe. This choice seems to have split peoples opinions.

bastian
bastian
9 years ago

Really like it 🙂 but if Portugal wants to qualify they have to make it stronger. As much as i like this version, its too weak to qualify 🙁 Anyone from Portugal that could confirm they will be working on the song?

Adam
Adam
9 years ago

I actually really like it, it sounds like a portuguese-version of some popular American songs from the 80’s, in the way that it has a vintage sound to it but still really good.

Mar
Mar
9 years ago

We thought the Belarussian selection was bad? We thought FiK was dated and a snoozefest? We obviously didn’t take into account the amount of pride Portugal has in being the country with the worst track record at Eurovision, because this edition of FdC takes the cake for worst nacional selection of the year by far. They could have picked any of the six songs and the result would still be the same, they won’t qualify to the final. The portuguese public voted well, Leonor is young and her song, thought not good, is not a relic of the past like… Read more »

Pedro
Pedro
9 years ago

WHAT A GREAT SONG!! Thank you Portugal!! We must be in the final! GO LEONOR!

David Who
David Who
9 years ago

This is a safe song that was sung by a beautiful-looking singer. Her vocals were okay in the national final, but not perfect. I think Leonor and her team know what they have to do to really bring it at Eurovision, so I don’t have an issue with them representing Portugal; they’ll be fine. It is unlikely that Portugal will qualify for the Grand Final though, unless the song is translated to something other than Portuguese. Well done Leonor, and best of luck in Vienna. D x

PP
PP
9 years ago

My TOP 25
1.Italy
2.Slovenia
3.Estonia
4.Serbia
5.Spain
6.Malta
7.Iceland
8.The Netherlands
9.United Kingdom
10.Denmark
11.Switzerland
12.France
13.Moldova
14.Georgia
15.Cyprus
16.Belarus
17.Portugal
18.Lithuania
19.Germany
20.Greece
21.Hungary
22.F.Y.R Macedonia
23.Ireland
24.Latvia
25.Finland

Luis D
Luis D
9 years ago

Best choice, it has potential. It’s a non-qualifier right now, though!

I hope they bring us a new version =)

Titaniumsparrow
Titaniumsparrow
9 years ago

BORING!! This needs a serious revamp to even stand a chance at qualifying.

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

Her voice is great and it’s a nice, mellow track, but a bit too mellow in my opinion, particularly in the chorus. I love the sort of indie sound, but it just kind of ticks along in parts. It doesn’t really click with me.

ESCPT
ESCPT
9 years ago

The song is over 3 minutes, therefore, it will suffer some changes for sure. Quero ser tua was way better in Denmark than in Portugal, and I believe this song has lots of potencial, being easier to improve than Suzy’s. The chorus is quite weak, but, besides that, it’s enjoyable. About qualifying to the final……….. there is hope

mad-professor
mad-professor
9 years ago

Portugal had a catchy song last year and look how that flopped. What made them think choosing a slow song that goes nowhere would be a better idea?

Peyton
Peyton
9 years ago

It was my favorite choice, but I don’t think it’ll qualify. It’s very forgettable and doesn’t really go anywhere

Dhani
9 years ago

thank you portugal for saving this night

Deniz
Deniz
9 years ago

I don’t know, I expected a bit more from Portugal. I don’t think this willgo to the final. Thumbs up for Portuguese though.

lollalo
lollalo
9 years ago

Very bad year full of bad songs by female brunets or duos. I will watch instead Vienna Copenhagen again in May.

Dan
Dan
9 years ago

Hurray, Portugal picked the best one! Her voice is good and the song defenitly has potential. Last year, Portugal missed the final with only one point. It just needs a revamp with more power, and it might qualify. Hope to see Portugal in the final this year.

Aleksi
Aleksi
9 years ago

I really like it

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

One word: meh

CV
CV
9 years ago

The best of the bunch for sure! The portuguese chose the best song. yay!

Edward Nygma
Edward Nygma
9 years ago

I had a hunch she would win. It is, all and all, a very nice song. But I am a bit disappointed, cause it’s such a safe bet. Leonor is physically the most attractive one there, her song is modern and nice-flowing ballad. The problem is that we have way much of those: Ireland and Malta come to mind. While I have no major issues with the song, Fado em Viena and Outra Vez Primavera would have sticked out of the bunch in a very good way. Even Tens Uma Magica would bring something new to the contest. But hey,… Read more »