She is standing tall all on her own. Gabriela Guncikova from the Czech Republic has just completed the second rehearsal of her song “I Stand” here at Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm and the second rehearsal was even more impressive than the first.

Gabriela has kept every staging element from her second rehearsal, but after hitting her marks a lot more concisely, the entire performance looked slick and professional.

One minor change but with massive impact is during the final chorus, Gabriela grabs a hold of her pony tail and removes the pin in her hair and shakes her hair out. This minor change looks incredibly sexy on camera. And just when you think it can’t improve, light wind catches her hair as the flowers bloom on the LED behind her. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Czech Republic: Second rehearsal at Eurovision 2016

Gabriela Guncikova: Interview after first rehearsal

Czech Republic’s press conference after first rehearsal

Czech Republic first rehearsal reaction

Read all of our Eurovision rehearsal reviews

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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sonic0201
sonic0201
7 years ago

A beautiful and serious song, not ruined with unnecesarry things.
Only problem is that it’s not spectacular enough to be a real contender for the win.

chessguy99
7 years ago

Has everything needed to qualify; quality song, excellent vocal and complimentary staging. Considering there are only three solid qualifiers from the first half(Russia, Armenia and Hungary), this is a certain qualifier.

Steven
Steven
7 years ago

My number 1 and the standout in this semi. Gabriela’s vocal is impeccable. The staging is lowkey are works perfectly. I can see this being a dark horse until the semi comes and people finally get behind her. One to watch.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Marco,
I’d love to be correct on this prediction, I’m not very known for positive feedback here, but this girl is something I want to praise! Let’s hope for the best for Gabi.

hasa
hasa
7 years ago

I played this right after I watched Russian performance. It feels a little bit underwhelming in terms of performance. But it’s still one of the better vocal and song in the competition.

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

I’m not the biggest fan but this was amazing and deserves to qualify. Make it happen, Europe.

Marc
Marc
7 years ago

@of this song

Marc
Marc
7 years ago

I’m not a big fan of thia sing but the performance elevate this entry. I hope Czechia will qualify.
Gabriela is amazing. She is what I call a real stunning singer. Beauiful voice and she doesn’t need to scream or overperforme to stand out like Dami or Iveta.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
7 years ago

That is how you deliver a vocal.
No doubt, Czech Rep get it this year and deserve to qualify without question. The staging/song still lacks that “Wow” moment and that will be enough to prevent it from the top ten. Still, surely this is a safe finalist, right?

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

@Oxana: you seem to have been able to look in the future 😉 let’s see how it will turn out on tuesday!

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Marco,
actually I said back then that she’s doing a bad thing for Russia when comes right after their weak performance with her powerful and full of emotions ballad. I still think that if something can turn people off from voting for Russia in the semi, it would be outstanding performance of Gabriela. because if human have soul, how he can keep his commitment to something dead and emotionless?

Tess
Tess
7 years ago

Winner !!!!!

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

there’s something magical about this girl and her song. if there would be angels on earth, she’s one of them.

Leo
Leo
7 years ago

That was slaytastic ! Best vocal of the day ,she has to qualify

Anfrers
7 years ago

Still my first!

Amdiron
Amdiron
7 years ago

I am in love with this <3 Her vocals are AMAZING, the staging is great too, I like all on it – purple and pink colours and triangles, flowers at the end, her taking pin off… This must qualify.

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

Everybody said that she had a disadvantage coming right after Russia. But having seen their rehearsals, maybe this is even an advantage for her song and style now: after the Russian overdose of gimmicks and extravaganza, the Czech Republic presents a show which focusses on a vocally extremely strong song which is visually appropriate – not steamrolled by LED screens. Go Gabriela!

HellasForNorge
HellasForNorge
7 years ago

Sh is 6th in my top..NORWAY IS 1ST

HellasForNorge
HellasForNorge
7 years ago

I loved tge song from the 1st time i heard it. Really strong voice and a sure qualifier. Top 10 in the final for me BUT i dont like the staging. Really cheap and simple. I preferred sth more professional and more exceptional.. STH MORE FABULOUS. NOT THAT SIMPLE. EVEN THE VIDEO CLIP IS MUCH MORE FABULOUS/CHARGED.NOW SHE IS STANDING THERE ALONE LIKE A CUCUMBER AND I THINK THIS IS THE MAIN DRAWBACK… BUT OK STILL A SURE QUALIFIER AND A SURE TOP 15…I DONT TELL TOP 10 JUST TO WAIT FOR THE OTHER REHEARSALS. NOW GABRIELA TOOK ONE PLACE… Read more »

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
7 years ago

I really hope czech republic qualifies this year! 😀 Unfortunately I can’t vote for Czech Republic because the country I live in is Australia, which is in semi final 2!
🙁

Michaela
Michaela
7 years ago

10/10 Simple but sooo beautiful! Love u Gabriela!

Necky
Necky
7 years ago

God, how much I like it! Its classy and I had goosebumps. I wasnt a fan of the song before, but now im loving it.
Fingers crossed she will make the final, and Ill vote for her….I would vote for her in this semi but my country is in SF2

Darcy
7 years ago

This is the best chance for the Czech Republic to qualify.

People, we can’t let this get bumped out by the ‘regular’ finalists.

Nicky91
Nicky91
7 years ago

omg Gabriela slayed big time 10/10 for me 🙂

Leaf
Leaf
7 years ago

Now that’s a performance, song and singer I can get behind.
10/10