Florena, the youngest act of Selectia Nationala 2016, is our — and your — favourite to win Romania’s Eurovision 2016 selection. She ranked first with both the Wiwi Jury and with our readers in our flash poll, opened after she stole the show at Friday’s semi-final with her performance of “Behind The Shadows”.

Despite performing after crowd favourite M I H A I, Florena managed to wow the audience, the jury and the viewers at home with her utter confidence, flawless vocals and a memorable show. However, her victory is not a sure thing. With the jury’s bae Ovidiu Anton, returnee M I H A I, and televoting favourite act Vanotek feat. The Code and Georgian, it is anyone’s game. And don’t dismiss boy band Dream Walkers, whose voices were on point despite the old fashioned song, nor Doru Todorut and Irina Baiant’s spectacular performance.

Let’s break it down, taking into account the results of the Wiwi Jury and the flash poll.

Flash poll results

[polldaddy poll=9334297]

Romania: Selectia Nationala combined results

Selectia Nationala 2016 combined results prediction wiwibloggs.com

1. Florena – “Behind The Shadows”

The best: Florena is one of those rare artists who can transform onstage, from the shy, fresh-faced singer, to the confident performer who is able to steal your heart and run away (away, away) with it. The song may not lead to an explosive, pyro-curtain worthy finale, but it keeps you hooked to its raw emotion. (Bogdan, 9/10)

The worst: As a teen singer performing a modern, gothic-themed song, it’s tempting to compare Florena with Germany’s Jamie-Lee. But unlike “Ghost”, “Behind the Shadows” never feels like it fully gets going. There’s a lot of mood and atmosphere and Florena’s great vocals, but the song feels like it’s lacking some sort of emotional climax. (Robyn, 7/10)

Poll result: 1st (534 votes, 36.09%)
Wiwi Jury: 1st (7.8)

2. M I H A I – “Paradisio”

The best: “Paradisio” is magic! Concocted with  killer hooks, sexy coos and flawless octaves, this is Selectia Nationala at its finest. Personally, I am not a fan of returnees. However, I’m the first to offer an olive branch when greeted with quality. This time round, I’m sacrificing a tree. (Deban, 9.5/10)

The worst: M I H A I is a fantastic singer and his voice is to die for, but I just don’t think “Paradisio” is good enough for such a highly anticipated comeback. Indeed, the song is not bad, but let’s put it this way: “Paradisio” is too purgatory. And I’d need something that took my soul to paradise at the second coming of one of my teenage Eurovision idols. (Luis, 7/10)

Poll result: 3rd (276 votes, 18.64%)
Wiwi Jury: 3rd (7.8)

3. Ovidiu Anton – “Moment Of Silence”

The best: Ovidiu’s vocals are impeccable and “Moment of Silence” has a composition that is nothing short of epic. The verses are a lot better than the chorus, but the product feels complete. When you consider the mediocrity of most of this national selection, this really stands out and would have no problem maintaining Romania’s perfect qualification record. (Antranig, 8.5/10)

The worst: Stuff happens, I get that! However, artistic interpretation of social and political issues shouldn’t be excused from quality control. The “fight for the truth” refrain is so overblown, it almost sounds like a caricature. If “Moment of Silence” was a fringe theatre number, I’d appreciate Ovidiu’s efforts – but no, this is fighting for a spot at the world’s biggest music stage. It’s just not good enough. (Deban, 4/10)

Poll result: 2nd (327 votes, 22.08%)
Wiwi Jury: 5th (5.55)

4. Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian – “I’m Coming Home”

The best: This track reminds me of my Norwegian bae Röyksopp. However, I feel torn about it because for an Eurovision song to be successful with the juries, it needs to have more than an irresistible beat and fine vocals, but also, well, more substance, more meat, more… lyrics. (Bogdan, 8/10)

The worst: I struggle to remember it once it has finished, but it’s a good song. As long as it plays, it’s quite enjoyable, although it rapidly fades away in your mind. The main drawback to “I’m Coming Home” is that it sounds like background music. In fact, this could be playing at any clothes shop, and you’d continue with your shopping without noticing it. (Luis, 5/10)

Poll result: 4th (180 votes, 12.15%)
Wiwi Jury: 3rd (5.55)

5. Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant – “The Voice”

The best: I love these two, their voices, their chemistry, and I think that a live rendition of the song will do it justice. Until then, “The Voice” is like a cross between Cezar and Paula & Ovi. Which is actually not that bad, come to think of it. And, with a bit of a revamp and a better arrangement, it should score a perfect 10. (9/10)

The worst: This was a decent effort until it hit the 2:07 mark. The disco beat threw me off piste, and any glimpse of my recovery since then has been on a slippery slope. Opera may not be Eurovision’s favourite music category, but any genre done tastefully will find an appreciative audience, and a loyal fanbase. “The Voice” is too gimmicky, and midway it loses its sense of direction. (Deban, 4.5/10)

Poll result: 5th (96 votes, 6.48%)
Wiwi Jury: 4th (5.6)

6. Dream Walkers – “Let It Shine”

The best: “Shine” with or without a prefix should be forbidden at the Eurovision Song Contest due to its excessive usage. Secondly, this pseudo-operatic type of singing is an ugly throwback that nobody needs to hear anymore. However, despite my seemingly harsh criticism, “Let It Shine” does contain a few dazzling moments, and the best harmonies this year. (Deban, 6/10)

The worst: It’s such a shame when this kind of amazing opera voices get lost trying to do a pop song that ends sounding like the soundtrack of a bad romantic comedy from the 90s. Ah, and those electronic organ trumpets must be killed with fire. And the guitar solo has to be returned to Albania! (Luis, 1/10)

Poll result: 6th (68 votes, 4.59%)
Wiwi Jury: 6th (3.1)

Tonight’s National Final in Romania starts at 19:30 CET. The show will be broadcast live by TVR 1 and online on eurovision.tv here. The winner of Selectia Nationala will be chosen by 100% televote.

Running order

The running order was drawn on Saturday night during a televised show about Selectia Nationala.

  1. Florena
  2. Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant
  3. Dream Walkers
  4. Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian
  5. Ovidiu Anton
  6. M I H A I

Will you tune in to watch? What do you think about our prediction?

Watch our Selectia Nationala first reactions

FOR MORE EUROVISION ROMANIA NEWS, CLICK HERE

33 Comments
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David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Hugs Daniel!!
And please don’t cry tonight, or i’ll have to start kissing you better. xx
😀
I have no idea where to put Olvidiu in my top list! What a nightmare. Anyhow, congratulations to the performers.

Daniel E
Daniel E
8 years ago

* hug, of course, not ‘hus’ ;))

Daniel E.
Daniel E.
8 years ago

Well, David Who, where’s that hus ’cause I really need right now :((. Or are you just talk? ;)).

Well, Ovidiu was chosen, starting tomorrow I will support him, but tonight I’ll just cry myself to sleep…

Speking of tomorrow, I can hardly wait to see on youtube the different personal tops posted there, to see where Ovidiu is. I’m not very hopeful, but we’ll see…

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Olvidiu just won

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

So, did Florena just finish 3rd?

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

So, M I H A I just finished 5th… I think?

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Wow. Cezar is a legend! 🙂

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

After the final live, I can say I see something good in each act. Ovidiu is still my favorite, but I loved the elegant performance of Florena, Doru & Irina too 😉 All 3 acts would be good winners. Vanotek did well too. Dream Walkers have a boring song, but good harmony. MIHAI’s song is still not my cup of tea, but the performance was excellent.

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

@Daniel E: I wish i could hold you and calm you down. 😀 x
This is quite a nightmare scenario actually – 5 out of 6 acts had excellent performances, yet the songs all have issues. It really just comes down to taste now!

Daniel E.
Daniel E.
8 years ago

@David Who: yes, I’m getting worried…

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Looks like Olvidiu has twice the amount of votes as the next best act…

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

I love M I H A I’s voice, but why is he disconnected from the stage? Amazing vocals though. 🙂

Daniel E.
Daniel E.
8 years ago

Well, new and improved Vanotek, thumbs up! I think I will also vote for them, as a back-up ;))

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

Well i’m watching now. Good performances so far. 🙂
Is it wrong for me to like the Dream Walkers? LOL. #TimeTravel

Daniel E.
Daniel E.
8 years ago

@ Daniel: just because other people have different musical taste than yours, that diesn’t make them.obsessed with anything… Regarding Ovidiu, it’s clear you like his symphonic rock song, as you put it, but let me ask you something: how many people listen to symphonic rock nowadays? Quite a few, I imagine, but, statistically, a small percent of all the music listeners. And while no one can say Ovidiu’s song is really a bad one, it’s songs like this that give Eurovision a bad name for its ‘dated-ness’ and anachronism… And I honestly think that with Ovidiu Romania would have its… Read more »

The Lord
The Lord
8 years ago

My god, what a terrible lineup! I don’t care about any of them. Another forgettable song will be choosed…

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

Florena is another example of the average ESC obsessive preference for female singers. Sorry, but she wasn’t that amazing on Friday – her song is dark, gloomy and she almost ruined her staging with too much light and a white dress. If you want her to win, dress her in black and add some shadows to the performance, not spring fairies dancing around her. The winner will be Ovidiu Anton. He has everything a winner can ask for: a great self-componsed entry, great vocals, an accurate staging, effects, movements, etc. He has made one good choice after the other to… Read more »

Nicky91
Nicky91
8 years ago

good song from Florena, and she looks very pretty

and a update from Malta, so far as i know

Ira Losco has got 8 other songs besides chameleon, and she said in a interview that she’ll record all 8 songs, because she likes all 8 songs

for me it’s between, Denmark, Netherlands and Malta and perhaps Spain or France

Héctor
Héctor
8 years ago

Florena is the only one who can achieve a top 10 for Romania. But as the juries ranked Ovidiu highera and I see a lot of Romanians loving “Moment of silence”, I think he will go to Stockholm, and maybe he won’t qualify for the final…

Lenna
Lenna
8 years ago

Ovidiu Anton! Bucharest 2017!

Teo
Teo
8 years ago

Please send M I H A I!! Amazing performance~

Freyah
Freyah
8 years ago

COME ON FLORENA!

Calum Macleod
Calum Macleod
8 years ago

As long as it’s Florena or Ovidiu, I’ll be happy.

Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
8 years ago

Please don’t send Mihai to Eurovision, send him to rehab, he need it, drugs are frying his brain

V
V
8 years ago

Paradisio, please. Romania, don’t make a mistake.

AM Casablancas
AM Casablancas
8 years ago

I don’t care who wins this year, it’s a weak NS and they won’t be able to milk the diaspora cow anymore (the same goes to Poland)

felix1
felix1
8 years ago

Florena please!!!!! 12 Points from Germany

ROMANIA vote for Florena please :))))

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
8 years ago

I hope you’re gonna spot on your prediction, exactly like with Poland:)) Ovidiu Anton for Stockholm, let’s not ruin this big chance for Romania.

ohnooo
ohnooo
8 years ago

LOL LOL LOL Your obsession with female singers doesn’t end even in the moment, when solo females are building 50% of this ESC. Your taste is so limited, I am really very sorry for your bad taste, don’t forgot, that ESC fans are minority in the whole 200 million viewers and other people have really different taste. Florena is the biggest outsider today in Romania. You will cry again like yesterday. Biggest favourites are Vanotek and Ovidiu. Thanks god I have no interest in average pop like you and I can choose quality and really good music. And thanks God,… Read more »

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

I would say that it is a 3 horse race between Florena, Ovidiu and MIHAI, but then again, Finland and Poland prove that anything goes in live voting, so it may be we end up with another Shine entry. Now about the three: For me, Ovidiu and Florena have nicer songs, while Ovidiu and MIHAI have most memorable ones. Florena is the winner of both jury and voters at Wiwibloggs, while two guys have better final slots. I think this one will be unpredictable, especially considering all 3 of them were saved by the jury and we don’t know who… Read more »

jgRomania
jgRomania
8 years ago

florena please. she will do great job for my country, although it won’t win eurovision, and probably won’t even finish top 10, it is still nice. i think it is the best song in our selection this year. another great song is Doru and Irina- the voice. but really only for Irina’s live vocals. they are amazing! however, i think for the winner, it will be between Ovidiu Anton, Dream Walkers, and Mihai 🙁

Mira
8 years ago

If they send Florena i think is the very first time when i vote for Romania

We love Paula Seling
We love Paula Seling
8 years ago

FLORENA TO WIN!!!
She’s amazing and the song is the best!!!