On Saturday 16 May, Wiener Stadthalle welcomed 17 acts to their second rehearsals for semi final two. Big hair, big voices, bit LED screens — we were living this! We’ve already told you what we thought in our rehearsal reviews, and now we want to know what you think. You can review all of the second semi final rehearsals below. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many acts as you’d like, but you can only vote one time. Let us know who you thought improved (and didn’t), and who you think has the best chance to get out of the final.
Lithuania: Monika & Vaidas with “This Time”
Ireland: Molly Sterling with “Playing with Numbers”
San Marino: Anita & Michele with “Chain of Lights”
Montenegro: Knez with “Adio”
Malta: Amber with “Warrior”
Norway: Mørland & Debrah Scarlett with “A Monster Like Me”
Portugal: Leonor Andrade with “Há um mar que nos separa”
Czech Republic: Marta & Vaclav with “Hope Never Dies”
Israel: Nadav Guedj with “Golden Boy”
Latvia: Aminata Savadogo with “Love Injected”
Azerbaijan: Elnür Huseynov with “Hour of the Wolf”
Iceland: María Ólafs with “Unbroken”
Sweden: Måns Zelmerlöw with “Heroes”
Switzerland: Mélanie René with “Time to Shine”
Cyprus: John Karayiannis with “One Thing I Should’ve Done”
Slovenia: Maraaya with “Here for You”
Poland: Monika Kuszynska with “In the Name of Love”
Rehearsals: Semi Final Two poll
[polldaddy poll=”8871733″]You can vote in all of our Eurovision 2015 polls here
Photo: Elena Voltova (EBU)
The Best five:
Malta
Sweden
Switzerland
Azerbaijan
Israel
Malta really surprised me. What a stunning voice. Woww she is a true warrior.
After what happened yesterday it all really depends on the show they give during the actual night
malta and …..
welldone to MALTA …… go team Amber .. 12 points ..
Am I the only one that loves Cyprus entry?? wtf…
Adore Azerbaijan this year, one of the best songs in the contest SO FAR, definitely a qualifier.
I also loved Sweden but it got quite lame with time, but it will qualify for sure.
Lithuania has the good vibe. Not quite sure about it qualifying but i would really love that.
Latvia has my votes and support, no doubt. Just because it’s different.
Nothing much to say about other countries. Not saying the songs are bad but i just don’t feel most of them. We’ll see
Ok, Israel will not be in the final. Regardless what they send, they will simply not make it. THIS year, I would actually understand that. That said, I think Israel should participate each and every year. if nothing else – they should participate JUST to annoy all the haters:)
Do you actually believe seriously that these rehearsals and all your fan-obsession for visuals and stage details will actually play any role of what will make millions at home watching vote for one song or another? And who the hell thinks that this whole rehearsals will help juries decide on they want to vote for? Bare this in mind: people at home vote just based on the night; juries LISTEN to what the song are … no beautiful LED background and cute dress or awesome choreography are part of that.
Like I did with SF1, here’s what I think will happen! Countries that will easily make it to the final: Sweden (duh!) Norway (double duh!) Azerbajian (still not a fan of the song but love the staging) Countries that should make the final but not as easily as the other 3: Slovenia (love the song but the staging is just okay) Latvia (she’s stunning on stage) Countries that will either make it or not: Malta (I’m liking the song again) Switzerland (love the costume change) Montenegro (great song) Czech Republic (pretty please qualify with a cherry on top) Israel (not… Read more »
Malta, Israel and Switzerland was a big surprise.
@Darren: You guys weren’t robbed of a top 10 spot. It was the fact that most people thought the song was poo that gave it last place. I think Moldova ( 2015 ) is amazing though I’m sure most will disagree. I thought Belgium ( 2013 ) was a masterpiece some agreed and some disagreed ( hence the 11 the place ) For Ireland (2013) some people saw it as a good song ( hence why it made it to the finals ) but most ( The majority if you will ) thought the song was utter poo and not… Read more »
@WTF oh yeah? And who should I be thankful to? You?? No chance….music tastes differ from person to person, I happen to think Ireland deserved a Top 10 placing in 2013, I dont really care if you disagree. Just look at the Top 10 this year, sure, Denmark was the deserving winner and Ukraine was good too…but other countries got top 10 who shouldn’t have…but that’s just my opinion, not my problem if you disagree.
OMG we have a vinner 12 points NORWAY Btw i am from sweden.
@Darren: Robbed of a top 10 placing in 2013? Please, you should be incredibly thankful that atrocity even made it to the final in the first place…
@Ct: I just lolled at the fact that you said that you said the bookies are pusing Malta. That’s why it’s in the mid thirties with the bookies. You’re the ignorant one here buddy.
The Czech Republic will most definitely qualify and will be near the top of the table (perhaps second to Sweden). I wonder if some of you making those predictions have actually bothered to watch the rehearsals. I wouldn’t be so sure about Azerbaijan (indifferent and stuck in the middle with a lot of other slow songs) or Malta (based on her second rehearsal she won’t pass). Ireland and Cyprus, greatly pushed by the anglophone press and bookies just like Malta, have no chance in my book. Montenegro will be a surprise qualifier for some people (not me) and Portugal might… Read more »
Couldnt agree more Sonia!
Ireland has actually sent a very good and talented act this year and I really hope she isnt ignored and she actually manages to qualify. But Ireland’s been robbed of qualification before (2009) and even robbed of a top 10 placing (2013) so its hard to say. Molly definitely deserves more credit than she is getting at the minute. Fingers crossed she makes the final.
I’ve just watched Molly sterling perform at the opera house in Vienna live
omg what a talent
She is awesome and can sing
It will be a disaster for Eurovision if voters just vote for their neighbours as what’s usually happens and she does not qualify
Poland will definitely qualify. they just returned last year, so they will probably be qualifying for the next 3 years, they are performing last, they have a moving story (sympathy vote) which is constantly reminding the audience as it appears unnecessarily in the staging, they have neighbours with Czech Republic, Germany and Lithuania, not to mention diaspora votes with United Kingdom, Ireland and I think Sweden and Norway……even though the song is quite bland and it is a SONG CONTEST!!…they will not qualify because of the song. I think in terms of voting, it will really come down to Australia… Read more »
@Sam "Sopon"
I think Poland will qualify – their performance is nice, sweet, although it is not the strongest one, also the back story is moving, and they have their neighbours (Czech Republic, Lithuania) as well as UK and Ireland (immigrants votes). Ok, I know, it’s political, but that’s how Eurovision works nowadays… 🙂
Safe qualifiers: Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, Iceland, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Azerbaijan
Borderline: Ireland, Montenegro, Czech Republic, Israel, Switzerland
Not qualifying: Poland, Portugal, Cyprus, San Marino
My predictions of SF2: Lithuania (Darren, i think, you’ll just have to deal with your negative emotions, because this song is joyful and has supporters); Malta (it’s Malta, and it’s powerful), Norway (great and classy), Israel (the only dance song) Latvia (her voice is amazing), Azerbaijan (his voice is amazing), Iceland (sweet little girl and catchy melody), Sweden (as always), Slovenia (great song), Poland (beautiful song, and her story will work). I’d like Ireland or Czech Republic to qualify instead of Israel, but we’ll see. Montenegro has nothing special, Portugal, Switzerland are not as powerful as Amber or as catchy… Read more »
Haha I jusr realised I have listed 11 possible qualifiers instead of ten 😛 See how hard this semi is??? Literally anybody can qualify after Sweden, Norway, Azerbaijan, Slovenia and Latvia after these definite 5 qualifiers we have 10 more possible/worthy qualifiers fighting for the last 5 places. too tough to call, but Im pretty sure Poland (for obvious reasons), Czech Republic (Because they are back) and Israel (because its a popular entry) will also qualify. the last 2 spots are between Ireland, Malta, Montenegro and Lithuania (I hope not), we might even have a surprise qualification by Switzerland, must… Read more »
For me it’s definitely Sweden and Slovenia. And any talks about block voting here are shot down dead because look at how much these countries have played a factor in overall scores. Disappointed about Ireland’s staging because hiding behind a big piano and focusing almost on other things / other performers is not the way for me. Still it might advance. And @bavarson … I would not bet huge amount of money on this prediction of yours for the final – you don’t even include Italy who people all over Europe are predicting winning or being at no. 2! To… Read more »
malta the best …
Portugal! Leonor was SO good!
For me, Latvia was the clear winner.
Sweden, Slovenia, Ireland, and as much as I hate to say it, Malta were also very good.
Azerbaijan, Poland and Cyprus struggled, I feel.
Ireland was the outstanding act but yet again they will probaly be robbed of a place in the final others who were great were Latvia Norway Swizerland and Iceland.
It has to be Malta!!! A brilliant performance by an amazing singer. It has to qualify for sure. Amber has the best voice in this semi final.
@Bavarson: So convinced that Denmark are going to surprise people that you said it twice? 😉
1st-Latvia
2nd-Ireland
3rd-Czech Republic
Extremely tough semi final! Its anyone’s really. I’ve a feeling we might see a tie for the last remaining places, which I dont know what happen in that case. I predict (or hope for some of them) the following countries qualify, in no particular order:
Sweden
Norway
Iceland
Azerbaijan
Slovenia
Ireland
Latvia
Poland
Czech Republic
Israel
Malta
1. Sweden.
2. Montenegro.
3. Czech Republic.
Azerbaijan and Latvia are both getting better but still have things to iron out.
Here is my prediction for final of ESC 2015:
1. Sweden 220
2. Russia 205
3. Denmark 191
4. Poland 172
5. Azerbaijan 159
6. Norway 146
7. Estonia 134
8. Australia 122
9. Israel 109
10. Romania 97
Here is my prediction for final of ESC 2015:
1. Sweden 220
2. Russia 205
3. Denmark 191
4. Poland 172
5. Azerbaijan 159
6. Norway 146
7. Estonia 134
8. Estonia 122
9. Israel 109
10. Romania 97
Wanted qualifiers (in order of draw):
Norway
Latvia
Azerbaijan (the rehearsals worry me though)
Sweden
As long as those four are through to the final, I don’t really mind who takes the other six spots (except for San Marino and Cyprus).
?y predictions for the second semi in order of appearance
DEFINITE QUALIFIERS: Montenegro, Norway, Czech Republic, Israel, Latvia , Sweden, Switzerland, Slovenia
WILL NOT QUALIFY: Lithuania, Ireland, San Marino, Malta, Cyprus, Poland
QUESTION MARK: Portugal, Azerbaijan, Iceland
Latvia, israel and ireland<3
Looking at the qualifier geographically, countries like Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Czech Republic will probably sail through due to block neighbor advantage. Portugal, Montenegro and Azerbaijan will struggle since they are on there own. Malta, Switzerland (who also has Germany) and Slovenia all have Italy. Some countries are very reliant on singular neighbors, Ireland has the UK, Cyprus has Israel and San Marino has Italy. Will be interesting to see how Australia vote.
Approximation of qualifiers:
Azerbaijan, Sweden, Norway, Malta, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Czech Republic, Iceland, Montenegro.
-Didn’t mention few other countries that are really good such as slovenia and israel because unfortunately not all the good songs pass taking example from last year in semi 2
What happened to Maria Olafs’ backing dancers? Does Iceland’s song really require four backing singers? I fear that may reduce her chances of doing well as the other two cute pixie girls were better dancers than her and the song falls a bit flat with no movement behind her. I like Latvia’s song musically, although I think the earlier stagings of it were better. It needs to be darker and more mysterious but perhaps Eurovision is the wrong audience for that. Hadn’t noticed Lithuania’s song much before but it is quite catchy. Gay kisses for the backing singers in the… Read more »
Malta and Switzerland blew me away with their vocals which were a lot better than I expected.
Montenegro and Israel have spectacular performances each in their own way. Very awesome! <3
Slovenia were perfect as usual and the Czech Republic have bulletproof vocals that really blew me away!
Best: Latvia, Malta & Israel
Azerbaijan!!