Portugal’s Cláudia made our garden grow. The United Kingdom’s SuRie climbed into a tunnel of lights that formed a row of diamonds. Germany’s Michael Schulte rolled out his own projection screen. Spain’s Alfred and Amaia made the massive Altice Arena feel intimate. Italy’s Ermal and Fabrizio conveyed their message of hope in 15 languages. And France’s Madame Monsieur moved from darkness to light. But who among the automatic qualifiers — Portugal, United Kingdom, Spain Germany, Italy, and France — stole the show?

You can watch all of our reviews of the first rehearsals in this playlist and can check out our Automatic Qualifiers “winners and losers” video below. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many countries as you like, but you can only vote one time, so make it count. Be sure to click the box next to each act you want to support before pressing submit.

Poll: Which Automatic Qualifier had the best first rehearsal at Eurovision 2018?

[polldaddy poll=9995991]

We’ll close this poll in about 24 hours. Vote and let us know what you’re thinking down below!

Read all of our Eurovision 2018 rehearsal news here

28 Comments
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Celeste
Celeste
5 years ago

I find them all good, my only concern is about Italy. I son’t think to have have text on screen is a good idea, peoples who not understand italien will have, and during nearly all the act it seem, big white text in a language wich they will not understand either….i think it can be disturbing.
Seem lot of peoples critics them to not have translation in the staging, but i think the french method is better, just give to the commentatories a short description of the song, and enjoy the song !!

beccaboo1212
5 years ago

Here’s my ranking:

1. Spain – 10/10
2. Portugal – 9.5/10
3. France – 9.5/10
4. Germany – 8/10
5. United Kingdom – 7.5/10
6. Italy – 5.5/10

By the way, I figured out that the British entry really helps when there’s a thunderstorm. 🙂

fugu
fugu
5 years ago

UK started in my bottom 10 but she has managed to improve greatly and pull herself into the middle of the pack. Unfortunately, the pack is unusually large this year. There are 4 songs I consider a nonredeemable disaster and only 8-10 I ever feel a need to go to any effort to listen to. And the rest is just a pack of ‘eh, whatever’. Germany is the only one of this group that isn’t part of the pack. While I was initially awed and excited that Germany could actually make it to the left side of the board for… Read more »

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

France and Germany left a good first impression for me.

Miguel
Miguel
5 years ago

For spaniards in here…

Today passed away the voice of Eurovision for Spain (2011-2017) José María Iñigo (Spanish Terry Wogan) just a week before the grand final day.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mar%C3%ADa_%C3%8D%C3%B1igo

Rest in peace.

New Republic
New Republic
5 years ago

Why is everyone avoiding the fact that Catalonian is a seperate country while France and Italy can sing a song with political message.
Spain’s song is representing Spain NOT Catalonia. We would never send cheesy song like this.

MaxYronwood
MaxYronwood
5 years ago
Reply to  New Republic

Mmmm as far as I am concerned Catalonia is still a part of Spain, wether you like it or not.

My2Cents
My2Cents
5 years ago

France – why ruin it with that crappy villain costumes?!

Euphoric
Euphoric
5 years ago

So it’s not Cannes 2019…

Start planning spending time in Tel Aviv.

Sam
Sam
5 years ago
Reply to  Euphoric

Or Tallinn…

Martina
Martina
5 years ago
Reply to  Euphoric

No way . Netta is a great artist ,i dont have something against her but the song is just awful. The stanging is awful also ..the lyrics OMG the lyrics with picachu ,barbie, chickens and all animations.. i have no words for the lyrics. What else? A yes her dress is also awful ..all this performance its awful ..except Netta ..she is a good singer and good person.

fugu
fugu
5 years ago
Reply to  Martina

This song reminds me of a four year old entertaining themselves with a hand mirror – making silly noses and pulling silly faces but every once in a while, for a brief little bit, singing an actual song – only to be quickly bored with that and going back to the facemaking and noises.

Mr Gold
Mr Gold
5 years ago

Only UK has serious song from big 6. All other are nothing for televoting.

Jamescasc
Jamescasc
5 years ago

I really agree with you. ……the magical Portuguese song transports me into such a world of emotions, which is like a tunnel of love….I cannot forget it

you are a troll
you are a troll
5 years ago
Reply to  Jamescasc

only a troll would say this.

Sam
Sam
5 years ago

France was great and maybe confirms a top 5 after a couple of years of decent results
Germany would do better without effects (more similar to what Roman Lob did) to find a place in the top 10
Italy was not as good as it could be (no significant changes from San Remo)
Portugal adapted quite well the staging to the song: simple and yet very impressive
Spain was an expected disappointment
The UK may avoid the last place, but won’t do much better

please
please
5 years ago

Germany by far the best performance.

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago

I think Germany made the best rehearsal. Spain has the greatest potencial for improvement, what we saw yesterday is a raw version of the final staging (let’s cross fingers).

Sam
Sam
5 years ago
Reply to  Music is Art

We all somehow predict Spain was going to disappoint…

Music is Art
Music is Art
5 years ago
Reply to  Sam

We still have to see the final outcome. In my opinion, they didnt want to show all they have in mind.

friedenau
friedenau
5 years ago

Spain has the most room for improvement. More light and better camera angles and ready for the Top 10.
France is still very good, but something is missing. It loses impact in the bigger stage.
UK and Portugal, I love these songs but sorry, they look like bottom 20-26 🙁
Germany is a very nice song, I don’t care for the lyric video on his back but he really sells the song. In my personal Top 10

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

3 were good, 3 were bad.

Anitta
Anitta
5 years ago

Can explain me someone why these countries are Automatic Qualifier ?????

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Anitta

They pay for VIP tickets.

medmed
medmed
5 years ago
Reply to  Anitta

They pay more each year to the Eurovision’s Organisation. So yes, like a VIP pass aha

Nickfan
Nickfan
5 years ago

1. France can be a serious contender if they improve some details (including the close-up to show their emotions) – I hope the final with the hands move will be awesome ! 2. Germany was a great surprise, good voice, great staging ! 3. Italy grows up for me, good charisma, great lyrics, and nice staging ! 4. Spain : a little disappointment : there was a lack of chemistry and emotions 🙁 5. Portugal : a little bit boring even if they want a minimalist approach in order to not be a “fast-food music”… 6. UK : I like… Read more »

Chingiz
Chingiz
5 years ago

I just dislike the German song so much, I don’t even know why

Nora
Nora
5 years ago
Reply to  Chingiz

Same. It’s one of my least favorites this year.