Romania’s Selectia Nationala 2016 kicked off tonight with the semi-final show in Baia Mare, which saw six acts advance to the national final on Sunday. The expert jury selected four acts, while the viewers saved two more. In the final, the viewers will have full control over who wins the ticket to Stockholm. But until then, let’s meet the six finalists!
Jury selections
Ovidiu Anton – “Moment 0f Silence”
Ovidiu put on a spectacular show and moved the jury to tears. They awarded him their top score of 54/60 points, ensuring him a place in the final.
Dream Walkers – “Let It Shine”
Their vocals shone through and the jury gave them 47/60 points and a chance to impress again on Sunday.
Florena – “Behind The Shadows”
Sixteen-year old Florena wowed the audience and the jury with her performance, but it was the jury that chose her to repeat it on Sunday, putting her in their top four with 44/60 points.
M I H A I – “Paradisio”
With a flashy show that included fluorescent robots, M I H A I ‘s “Paradisio” was selected by the jury to go through as well, giving him 33/60 points.
Public selections
Vanotek feat. The Code and Georgian – “I’m Coming Home”
The boys put on a great show earned the top score from the public vote, ensuring they were saved for the final.
Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – “The Voice”
Although first to sing on the Baia Mare stage, the pop-opera pair was chosen by the public to perform an encore on Sunday.
The other six acts who are now packing their bags are Andra Olteanu, Irina Popa, Jukebox, Mihai Bajnaru, Gasca De Acasa, and Xandra.
On Sunday, the winner will be chosen from the six finalists by 100% televote.
What do you think about the results of Romania’s Selectia Nationala semi-final? Did your favourites go through? Sound off below!
Mihai and Florena could face Stockholm
I liked the show, although a bit long. Most of them performed very well live, so clearly the song and show distanced one from other. In other years there were good songs with bad performers, so this is why some failed. I liked also that jury did not give super marks to MIHAI, as well as Andra Olteanu (“Nai nai”). Although I cannot believe the marks they gave to Dream Walkers… What I did not like: jury analyzing in public each performance. That was a bit tough especially for those that were criticized…. I would be happy if Florena or… Read more »
BTW- I am Turkish, I was born in the 70s, and I have to tell you, “Let it Shine” really sounds like the songs we had in Turkish national final in the 80s. I generally disagree with “dated” comments aboout the songs which we hear from wiwibloggs often, but boy, this is even too dated for me.
Dear Romanians, sorry, but this is the weakest Romanian national final in history, and the weakest national final of the season (excluding Georgia which was more of an internal selection, and excluding Moldova, which is probably fixed). I would probably choose “The Voice”, not because I love the song, but at least the singers are easy on the eye, and they would pick up some points in addition to the 10 or 12 from Moldova (now its 24 I guess).
I’m so sad about Andra Olteanu.. Jury was really stupid to give her 1 points all ((
I agree with Daniel E
@Daniel
I didn’t say it sounded Eastern European, I said it might be something what speaks more to Eastern Europeans.
There is another Daniel here, so to avoid confusion I’m changing mai name ;)). I’m also changing my name because, Daniel (the other one, I mean), Moment of silence is NOT my favourite AT ALL – I’m the one who said in another thread that it belongs in ESC 1995… Good voice? Yes! Emotion? Yes! Good song? Noooo… So over the top, it makes me cringe… And I actually couldn’t look at Ovidiu last night because of that ridiculous make-up… Not as bad as ‘Paradisio’, obvioysly (me and my namesake can at least agree on that), but still a big… Read more »
Come on, Dream Walkers!
If they can deliver that well, all they need is some better staging and Romania are going to seriously overachieve this year.
@daniel yes, epic for all the wrong reasons.
@DenizNL, you clearly know nothing about Ovidiu’s song. There’s nothing “Eastern-European” in it – it’s symphonic rock! A genre played all over the world.
@Sparrow, you clearly have no idea how to judge a masterpiece. “Moment of Silence” is a song of epic proportions. The song, the vocals, the performance… Ovidiu Anton has everything to win!
Vanotek, méh! It sounds like Voltaj in an even cheaper version.
Kiara
No chance to Romania win with Paradiso, with that song 100% in final ,in final similar place like Romania 2014, TOP 10 with televote and from 15 to 20 place with juries.
The jury’s top two are hands down two of the worst songs in history. I am honestly floored by the results. “I’m coming home” was one of my favs going in and I expected some dramatic, landscaped other worldly performace but instead they looked like a high school band in their first contest :/
Florena is pretty much the only one that won’t be an embarrassment for Romania.
M I H A I has The best performance, song & show and he has to win on sunday! I fell sorry for the other Mihai he had a nice song and performance, but not for this competition … Florena is kinda nice … But not too much! Romania you better choose Mihai to represent you this year If you want to be in The first places! Congrats TVR for The great show!
Ovidiu or Mihai is best choice for Romania. Mihai copy Danny Saucedo from MF 2012 , becuase back dancer have costurme similar like Danny and backvocalist and dancer.
After watching live this is my opinion:
1. Ovidiu Anton – Great vocals and song is very good.
2. Florena –Idem
3.Vanotek – Love it, special atmosphere
4. Dreamwalkers –Amazing performed, such a nice armonies¡¡
5. Doru & Irina – They was my winners before, but….
6. MIHAI – Horrible and cheap¡
I still thought Ovidiu was horrible. Good vocals, but that song.. And I am afraid it will win. It might be something Eastern-European what I don’t get, cause this would most likely get no points from Western countries (maybe germany).
I did like Behind the shadows, Paradisio and Coming home though.
“I’m Coming Home” please!
Miahi!! he is the only way romania can get it to the finals! paradiso is a decent dance pop song, the rest is just awful
Yes, Vanotek’s going to the finals! I hope they actually win Selectia Nationala!
1. Ovidiu Anton – the best choice for Romania, so EPIC song!
2. Florena – nice song and great vocal
3. Doru & Irina – very lovely
4. Vanotek – good, but gets repetitive
5. MIHAI – cheap, pretentious song
6. Dreamwalkers – boring as all hell, come on?
At the end of the day, I was very pleased by jury’s votes to Ovidiu, but disappointed how both jury and public failed to reward cheerful and funny performance of Andra Olteanu.
FLORENA <3 Behind The Shadows
She need to win and represent Romania this year!
I want Ovidiu or Florena to represent us!!!
Every female except Florena go home 😀 Hope, she or Mihai will not win. The duo is perfect but Vanotek feat. …, wow, it is the best. Maybe we can still save this year ESC. Mick Pedaja tomorrow for Estonia, Margaret for Poland and it can be very interesting in Stockholm!