While the stars of Eurovision 2016 have been parading on the red carpet as the opening ceremony, the contestants from the Big 5 have had one more thing to do – finding out which half of the grand final they’ll be performing in.
Each of the artists drew to determine whether they’d be performing in the first or second half of the grand final on Saturday. They’ll be joining host country Sweden who previously drew ninth place.
Generally it’s considered that performing in the second half is more favourable, but the winners from the previous two years comfortably earned a victory from a first-half performance, Conchita from the 11th slot, Måns from 10th.
The semi-finalists will draw their halves at the press conference following each semi-final. The final running order will be determined by the producers of the show, with the EBU having final veto. The running order will be announced on the evening of May 12, after all the finalists have been decided.
First half
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- 9. Sweden
Second half
- Spain
- United Kingdom
We’re on the red carpet, covering all the action as the stars make their way to the opening ceremony of Eurovision 2016. Follow all the action on Twitter and Instagram.
I think being in 1st or 2nd half matters because people tends to forget first performances or get tired by the end.
But what matters the most is getting placed between songs that don’t overshadow your musical qualities or strong points.
I mean, If you put Poland between Belgium and Bulgaria, Michal will shine.
But if you put him between Australia and the Czech Republic, these three are slow ballads in a row that could make a negative impact in any of them.
Flashback to 2013: France had an awesome song. France was put 2nd in performance order. Everyone forgot France… Hopefully, that won’t happen this year!
IMO running order is not about the winner. A winning and arguably top 5 (maybe even top 10) can reach those placings no matter where they are drawn in the final. Where it’s important is for those songs placing 11th-20th for which I think the running order is v important. For a lot of countries it is about doing respectably (hi UK) and there is a huge difference coming home with 15th place compared to finishing 20th.
Again, people why are you so worried? The songs expected to do well will still do well even if they start early. Amir included. He won’t go first. Going by logic the first and last songs in each section are show-stoppers and Amir ain’t one. Like last year they probably put him “in the second” part of the first half, near the break. They are most likely aware he is a favourite so they do everything to keep the tension up. And being first or second isn’t tension creating. I predict probably 11-13th starting order in the finale for Amir.… Read more »
Haha. What I dream of is to have Russia in 12 and Amir in 13. After the vomitive injection of gimmicks, classy smart Amir will come. If SVT would have cojones, they would do that for the sake of the audience. For Germany, it’s a very complicated scenario in 1st half, because the song targets the same audience as Sweden’s, so the song can’t be placed around number 9. So they probably place it in 1-4, which is a bit sad. I think Italy has nothing to be afraid of. Oh, by the way, France’s song is made for the… Read more »
I think it would be so
6-Germany
10-Italy
12-France
17-United Kingdom
26-Spain
Russia and Ukraine will think in the second half
Does it really matter which half you placed at gf? I mean if the song is really good? Guess no
Looking at the running orders of the past few years, there seems to be a constant in determening the running order. No need for so much paranoia allready. The countries that won their semi, are always at the end of their half (first or second). Amir’s song is great to put before or after a commercial break, I think… so that would be 10th more or less?
Last year it was the same: favourites in first half: Sweden (10), Australia (12), Belgium (13); in second half: Russia (25) and Italy (last).
if it is Australia that has to win so Russia wouldn´t, then I would even prefer Belarus. Australia is booooooring. nothing special. not enough spark.
Just vote for Estonia, will you? We are inbetween the Nordic clicque and Russia. our song is the coolest and classiest!
Go Australia !!!
I’m French and there is one thing that I need to add. If SVT gives one more time a debut order for France, I’m 100% sure that France will withdraw if the contest next year.
FranceTV’s team considers that is not normal that one country have, in 3 years, a debut order in the contest and want to withdraw if still the case this year. And I agree.
So SVT, don’t do a bad thing. If you put France to open the Contest, you can say “bye” to France for, at least, next year!
Italy will open and UK will close
They will probably let Italy open. I dunno but it feels like they will ;-( I hope later..because an early run for a song like this means it will be forgotten…
blondboybc They decide draw for performance, to fix chance to their favorite be the winner and we all know that juries prefers western countries and they don t like so much countries from east, see result from 2009 to 2015 from juries. And we all know who s countries are overrated in points by juries so many times from 2009 to 2013, they are Sweden,Malta,Italy, only Azerbaijan from east, and from last year we new members of this club juries favorites countries Australia, and sometimes, Ukraine and Lithuania but only in semifinal. My prediciton for TOP 5 from juries this… Read more »
Franco: it’s not the EBU or SVT that decide who wins, it’s the tele-voters and the juries, both of whom are not controlled by them. If they are, the ESC would be a sham contest. Anyway, even if Australia wins, they will have to co-host it with a European country that is capable and willing to (Germany has been suggested)
Mistake Who not How
How is candidate to opening final From BIG 5 chance for France From countries from semifinals Belgium, Lithuania, Bulgaria if they draw to sing in first half, if SVT want to final opening song like contest 2013 then honour to open felt to Cyprus if they draw to sing in first half. I don t belive that EBU and many in western countries want to Russia win, they wili love to win Australia (Dami Im have 4 video on eurovison official chanell in time when other countries have only video from their song for contest) or France (do you notice… Read more »
Italy will most-likely perform somewhere between 1-5. Germany will most-likely perform somewhere between 6-10. France will most-likely perform at the very end of the first half. France is one of the favourites to win the contest, so I doubt SVT will ruin their chances by making them open the show. But, then again, most Swedes lack any common sense. So, in that case, France is in limbo to screwed.
I will guess SVT gives 6th to France, 7th to Germany, 12th to Italy 16th to UK, 22nd to Spain. I think SVT wants Australia or Russia to win. SVT will save 8th and 10th for the weakest songs to save Frans. France got 2nd last year so I can’t see SVT giving them 1-3, but I don’t think SVT will be generous to give them 13th. I think Iceland would make a good opener for the final but assuming it qualifies, SVT will give a better spot to its neighbor. I think SVT will bury Bulgaria and have Poli… Read more »
No Eugne. Måns wasn’t expected to win. he was one of the favourites yes but wasn’t expected to win. Most thought either Russia or Italy would win, especially since they got later draws than Måns. I remember many predicted Måns lost his winning chance when he got his number. If people want to read something in draws then fine. The favourites expected to do well will still do well no matter if they opened or finished the whole thing. As they say a winner is a winner. Sertab had number 3 and won. Loreen would still be a winner even… Read more »
Hey James! Totally agree. Barei’s got such a power she doesn’t need them with such an important role on stage. Sure she’ll change this
At my own risk. Just checked and it’s started to improve in some odds such as Betfare and Betfare xchance with respects to this morning
@Spain
If they are not dancers, what are you doing Barei bringing them on stage? why not to bring real dancers? maybe from the video as they are so cool and funny sometimes. I don’t get it. You have a good song and this could be such a hit on stage. Why you want to show the world a group of uncoordinated, out of tone, and boring backing vocals? why? put them on the side, hide them or don’t bring them at all!!
We love stars, flowers, pyros and blue and red leds
You wili lost money on betting on Spain. Maybe to betting worst BIG 5 , Spain have best chance for that.
France is gonna get stuck in the #2 position is going to want to keep him as far away from Frans as possible, but it’s not a “show opener” type of song, so 2nd is the only place they can put him.
Winning song, amazing performer, and right draw. If they solve the light and choreography issue, I would start betting for Spain ????
Worst 3 dresses at Red carpet
1.Iceland
2.Croatia
3.Azerbaijan
Add me Loo I will accept it
Bella that’s strange..
Loo I didnt see your message
How sweet of you to put Joe & Jake as the pic for this article 🙂
Haha Bella.. Private message on Facebook
Loonwhat is pm write the whole word please
Yeah I wrote you a PM on fb 🙂
Loo I saw it but it dissappeared.Did you see my name?
I think since the final has become so long – with 26 songs – the ideal positions are 10-19. I feel the UK didn’t do as well as expected in 2014 because of singing last and the people are tired or bored by that time. But then last year Il Volo won the telovote so you can’t exactly say.
@bella
Done.
Good luce Barei!You can win tú e Eurovision Song Contest 2016!!????????
I hope Russia or Ukraine gonna be nr 2 in the final. Then its not gonna Winn. Its the 2 worst Song this year.
Loo the first artivle in wiwibloggss facebook is this article with the allocation draw.
Charles, you’re on the wrong site if you are ‘baffled’ in our interest of such matters
Oh alright. Great.
What do you mean Bella? The first article on wiwibloggs?
I predict SVT will ruin France but no way it’ll be #2 spot since France sang #2 last year. It won’t open either cause I don’t think it’s as flashy to open. Neither will Germany open cause the staging isn’t much. Italy might open.
Loo im from Greece (my mother is greek swedish and my father greek german).It would be nice to discuss further…perhaps there is a solution.(you can write a comment on the first article in wiwibloggss comment I will find out who you are)
I agree with everything said until there. If a song’s beautiful, it goes well. If you think that, for example, France, Italy or Sweden will not place into the top 10 because of the draw and other songs which are not as good will, well, that’s just wrong, because if they don’t, probably, they would have failed anyway. I’d also like to point out that last year seven of the top ten songs were in the first half: Israel (3rd), Estonia (4th), Serbia (8th), Norway (9th), Sweden (10th), Australia (12th) and Belgium (13th). Other favourites, like Spain or Albania, failed… Read more »
We all know that even if Russia draws the first half, Sweden will give him the last slot available, unfair but will def happen!!.
In 2015, 5 of top 7 from public voting performed in the first half: Israel, Estonia, Australia, Belgium and Sweden.
Russia, will pay a fortune for a good position.
Bella I’m not blonde LOL! Where are you from? 🙂
You’re welcome! It would be lovely to discuss further more and not just on this site. I don’t want to write out my e-mail here though…
Loo so you are a blonde swede…I knew it haha!!!Thank you for being my biggest supporter here.Tack sa mycket!