Bring on the rose arrows, charge up the projection dress and get ready to spin that illuminated wheel. The first semi-final of Eurovision 2018 is almost upon us and we can already smell the fuego. Nineteen acts have completed rehearsal after rehearsal and are now ready to bring their A-game during Tuesday night’s live semi-final.
We asked you to name your favourites prior to rehearsals and Israel’s Netta came out on top. But now that you’ve seen rehearsal footage, is she still your favourite? Who do you think deserves to win Semi-Final 1 of Eurovision 2018?
Eurovision 2018: Semi-Final One
Semi-final 1 can be described in one word: bloodbath. Several acts in the first semi final are strong favourites among fans and the press, and many are, in fact, in contention to win the whole competition, according to bookmakers.
There’s a considerable mix of genres and tempos. Classic ballad fans may like Iceland and Armenia, whilst drama comes via Belgium‘s Sennek.
Classic Europop enters the frame with Finland, Azerbaijan and others, whilst Greece and Albania serve the native language realness. What’s more, four of the bookies’ favourites all take part in this semi-final: Israel, Estonia, Bulgaria and Czech Republic.
Semi-Final One: Participating Countries
- Albania — Eugent Bushpepa, “Mall”
- Armenia — Sevak Khanagyan, “Qami”
- Austria — Cesar Sampson, “Nobody But You”
- Azerbaijan — Aisel, “X My Heart”
- Belarus — Alekseev, “Forever”
- Belgium — Sennek, “A Matter of Time”
- Bulgaria — Equinox, “Bones”
- Croatia — Franka, “Crazy”
- Cyprus — Eleni Foureira, “Fuego”
- Czech Republic — Mikolas Josef, “Lie to Me”
- Estonia — Elina Nechayeva, “La Forza”
- Finland — Saara Aalto, “Monsters”
- Greece — Yianna Terzi, “Oneiro Mou”
- Iceland — Ari Olafsson, “Our Choice”
- Ireland — Ryan O’Shaughnessy, “Together”
- Israel — Netta, “Toy”
- Lithuania — Ieva Zasimauskaite, “When We’re Old”
- FYR Macedonia — Eye Cue, “Lost and Found”
- Switzerland — Zibbz, “Stones”
Those are the 19 competing entries: now, it’s time to have your say. You can vote in our poll below. The same rules as usual apply: you can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once. Make sure it counts!
Flash Poll: Who should win Semi-Final One of Eurovision 2018?
We’ll close the poll before the first semi-final on May 8. So get voting!
Make sure to let us know who you voted for in the comments section, and let us know who you think will qualify — or who you think might miss out!
Please vote for sennek, she needs the votes ?
I thought I’d leave this link here incase anyone wants to watch with the BBC commentary 🙂 https://tvcatchup.com
Exciting evening indeed!
Six countries are 100% certain qualifiers: Czech Republic, Israel, Estonia, Bulgaria, Greece and Cyprus. In each case well deserved!!
But the four remaining spots I think are wide open.
I think it will be between Israel, Estonia and Czech Republic. However, I can see Cyprus winning the semi, but I have doubts about the juries rooting for this one.
Dont forget to vote for Belgium tonight! ;D just to make it to the final! Flanders need to prove they can do as good as the south of the country. And Sennek deserves it!
I’d love to see Saara do well. She’s an amazing singer and performer. And Monsters is among the top 3 songs. But… her staging is like a garish colour vomit with a pyro overdose on top of it. It’s tacky and messy. However, I hope this is a contest looking for a good song, singer and performer… if so, Finland’s Saara should be a winner.
I hope after they perform tonight I will get a more clear picture of the top 10 but I think I will be more confused than ever. Definitely gonna lose some favourites here and also rooting for my country Ireland to get back to the final. I think they have a chance so fingers crossed.
My personal top 10 to get to final would be: Czech Republic, Lithuania, Israel, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Cyprus, Switzerland, Estonia and Albania
Same! I wouldn’t even care if we came last in the final i just want us to get through
https://www.rte.ie/eile/brainstorm/2018/0405/952322-douze-points-the-who-what-why-of-eurovision-voting/
Excellent article says it all about eurovision. Voting
What a total shambles this song contest is
Poor Ireland and Uk will never win irrespective of how good a song they
Send
Seems like Armenia can send a woman banging on a pot with a stick and she will qualify lol
If the UK or Ireland would for once send a competitive song (Okay, I like Ireland this year, but it’s not going anywhere), maybe they’d achieve a top ten Placement, but they’re obviously not giving a f*ck, so why should they end up high ?
Molly sterling had a great song but the staging and running order killed it
Yeah the song was good, but it just didn’t stand out enough. I have to agree, the staging was pretty bad.
But where is the Eurovision next top model poll?
Not sure she wins, but Top 3 for sure!
Still think she could say FOGO (Portuguese) instead of FUEGO (Spanish) somewhere at the end of song as a wink to host country. 🙂
Voted for Czechia, Bulgaria and Estonia. But I’d be totally fine with Cyprus… It’s not in my top 10 Overall, but I can understand the Hype.
My top 10 from semi 1:
1.Czechia
2.Bulgaria
3.Estonia
4.Albania
5.Belarus
6.Ireland
7.Cyprus
8.Lithuania
9.Greece
10.Austria
I know, this ain’t happening, especially because Israel is 100% qualifying (and I’m not mad about it), but it’s the strongest semi I’ve witnessed during my time as a Eurovision fan. I’m SO excitited about tonight, you can’t imgaine how I feel right now…. The sad Thing is, that I can’t vote.
Even though Fuego is not my preferred genre, I would be more than delighted to see our brothers and sisters in Cyprus win for the first time! Eleni is a wonderful performer and she deserves every success. Good luck to all countries in tonight’s semifinal.
Albanian girl gonna get you guys the trophy lol
Estonia of course. I am very proud of our entry this year.
Cyprus TOP 3
You know what?
IT’S TODAY!!!
😀
#voteforeugent
1. Israel
2.Czech Republic
3.Estonia
I am a person who mainly values the song quality, thus I will write my personal top 10, based on studio version:
1. Albania
2. Belgium
3. Greece
4. Belarus
5. Bulgaria
6. Finland
7. Austria
8. Ireland
9. Czechia
10. Estonia
It could well be that after live performance my preference would change, but this an honest Hungarian’s opinion, who is not a typical Eurovision fan
Thank you from Greece! Hungary is a wonderful country and the Hungarian language is beautiful, melodic, and most extraordinary! Good luck on Thursday!
Thank you for the greetings, this year Greece impressed me with the depth of the song, wish there would be less empty Dance songs every year and more artistic, even risky songs
You have good taste and a beautiful entry! You will have 19 votes from me in the semis and I also mentioned Hungary to a lot of people who I thought might be interested to vote for the first time in Eurovision because of metal so you have some new suporters ! Good luck on Thursday, Budapest 2019!
It would be splendid a final top 5 for Hungary, but either Denmark, Italy, Albania or Germany would be super cool in my books to win, even if none sound too hyped by the Eurovision fans
All of you who voted for Finland above best do so tonight.
I voted for Cyprus
My guess with decreasing likelihood of qualification. What a bloodbath… 1.Cyprus 2.Estonia (scores big with Jury) 3.Czech Rep. (scores big with Public) 4.Greece — 5.Bulgaria 6.Israel (scores big with Public) — 7.Austria (scores big with Jury) 8.Croatia (scores big with Jury) 9.Azerbaijan — 10. Armenia, Albania, Finland(Juries will drag it down) or Lithuania I´d love for Macedonia and Albania to qualify but Im not really seeing it happening. The only ones I´d completely discard are Iceland, all the other ones I havent mentioned wouldnt surprise me by getting through. The only safe qualifiers for me are the first 4 in… Read more »
Not Cypros (we have seen a lot of such song in the beginning of 2000), Israel is sinking boat as well.
So e have France, Estonia only contenders for the win.
My prediction:
1.Iceland
2.Ireland
3.Croatia
4.Macedonia
5.Swtizerland
6. Belarus
7.Azerbaijan
8. Lithuania
9.Belgium
10.Finland
________________ Borderline
11. Israel
12.Czech Republic
13.Estonia
14. Austria
Last place: Cyprus.
And the winner is: San Marino or Russia!!
Probably the worst prediction I have seen lately 😛 Sorry
What planet are you on? Iceland as a winner lovely guy deserves to do well but sorry no.
Oh my god guys, on what planet are you living to not notice the painfully obvious sarcasm that the guy is using???? He even has the word ”troll” in his name, jesus…..
Yes everybody, it was sarcasm. In the second comment i got 7 likes. Why?
11 hours till will start.
My brain says Israel
My heart says Greece
11hrs51mins to go people!
Get excited!!!!!!! 😀
Go Netta!!
oh yes Go home Netta ……… LoL
Cyprus and Israel are battling for the same votes. They will probably obstruct each other. And those two being first with jury votes? It would really make juries look quite bad.
In televoting I think Cyprus is for over 25 and predominantly male audience and Israel under 25 and predominantly women, so they can share, with juries probably Israel is above Cyprus but you never really know…
Yaa, I’m sorry for that response I gave you on a post about Ingrosso. I don’t know if you’ll see this but I apologize.
I was trying to be funny and it came out very wrong. Was expecting to get hateful responses and ended up being I with the unfunny bitter comeback.
I’m not stalking, just wanted to say this.
Do you really want that the next ESC-host will be in Cyprus? Its a very small island with no people on it. FYROM and Armenia are very very weird places. Greece and Lithuania are poor have I heard. Croatia is a crazy country. Belgium, good country but i dont think its good.
Austria cant host ESC, they want to ski in the alpine ski alps. Switserland loves chokolate. Estonia is very good conutry but its not better than Finland. Vote for Finland, the best country in africa!! Sorry for maybe bad english
Be sorry not only with your English but most importantly with your IGNORANCE!
He is happy when trolling
Comments like this don’t really do any favours to Finland. Finnish fans (although I don’t think this one is even finnish?) stop being annoying and act like we Finns act: honesty and clear competition is what matters! Muiden maiden lyttääminen tekee vaan pahaa Saaralle, positiivisuudella jatkoon!
Sigh, i am not from. Finland. Or what, maybe i am. No, we can say I am norwegian. And you should write in swedish also. Swedish is also a language in Finland.
But I dont think that so many voters read my joke-comment lol.
I think that it will be a good show tonight! Im happy that it is a” bloodbath”. Good!
Ja, jag kan också skriva på svenska men jag tycker att svenska talarna folk i Finland inte skriver skit om andra land när det kommer att Eurovision.
With which contries are you comparing Greece , while its the 10th biggest economy in Europe? And why there must be a rich country to host a tv programe Portugal is doing
It this year!
Well Cyprus is now 1st on the odds which was unexpected. I wouldn’t mind them winning although I don’t see it happening right now. The true winner will be the country who begins leading the odds after wednesdays jury rehearsal I reckon.
The juries are the deciding factor when it comes to these pop songs, I am hoping for an unexpected surprise winner. We all know who the televoters will like.
I voted for Estonia, Lithuania and Czech Republic.
As for expectations, I’d say –
Definitely qualifying – Israel, Estonia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Greece
Likely qualifying – Ireland / Lithuania (one of them is a “shocking” qualifier), Armenia / Azerbaijan (one of them will qualify, but perhaps not both), Finland (UK, Estonia voting)
A toss for – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Albania, the other one in Aze/Arm and Irl/Lit situation
Sadly, probably not qualifying – Macedonia, Switzerland, Belarus, Iceland
Predicted qualifiers:
ESTONIA, BULGARIA, ISRAEL, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, GREECE, AZERBAIJAN, LITHUANIA, IRELAND, ALBANIA
Tonight, let’s see how right / wrong am I.
for example I m going to vote for opera song and Estonia because it is very different from others.
Waw! You have positive votes! When I write the same thing about Estonia I ‘ m drowned with downvotes! You are more eloquent for sure! There was a post here with Portugal jury votes and Estonia was high, our only hope remains Italy’s voting. I trust you are good predictor, anyway!
This semi is so confusing. The only country that I feel already in the final is Cyprus. Maybe Estonia too, but everything is possible if we think in Estonia the last two years. The only country that I feel out is Iceland, in the other hand. Now, my prediction of the others could be these (only my opinion, don’t get mad and discriminate me like the other day one greek guy did, please): -I think Azerbaijan and Armenia are out. More Armenia than Azerbaijan. Why? They’re not outstanding. In this semi, this is VERY important. Good voices, talented artists, but… Read more »
Thank you, Honey! Fingers crossed tonight!
RTP has passed the news that France is disqualified for breaking the rules…
Fake news honey. Keep your hate and jealousy for yourself.
But what about a copy of Portugal jury votes that was mentioned multiple times on this blog?! I really hope that is fake news also or another country should be disqualified!
My rank
#1 Israel
#2 Cyprus
#3 Belgium
#4 Finland
#5 Czech Republic
#6 Estonia
#7 Austria
#8 Belarus
#9 Switzerland
#10 FYROM
If Fuego wins it will be a slap to Salvador and his concern about fast food music. Please.
She’s a performer, no doubt. But the song is an example of fast food music.
Fusk you, Salvador Sobral is the best ESC-winner ever.
If Cyprus wins, Toy culture wins 😉
1.Estonia
2.Greece
3.Azerbaijan
4.Bulgaria
5.Macedonia
6.Belarus
7.Israel
8.Cyprus
9.Austria
10.Albania
This rank would makes me happy ?
Eleni Fourera is now 2nd behind Israel to win.
I’m starting to think she will win.
If she had represented Greece (as she originally wanted to do) she would be the #1 favorite, and this contest would be over.
Couldnt agree more, people like Greece more than cyprus while its pretty much the same country
Croatia TOP
ISRAEL SHOULD WIN BUT IF NOT AT LEAST LET IT BE ESTONIA AND NOT ELENI….REAL ARTISTS SHOULD WIN NOT CHEAP BEYONVE WANNA BE WITHOUT VOICE
for me sounds weird compete trash song to real art.
Yes Estonia would be a great winner Eleni its okay
I also love israel but its kindda “kiddind” song so dont deserve to winn
Semi Final 1 Qualifiers: (Random order unless stated)
Cyprus – winner
Estonia
Israel
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Ireland
Greece
Lithuania
Croatia
Switzerland
Albania
Thoughts
Greece, Cyprus, Ireland and Israel are my favourites of this semi so i agree with your qualifiers.
Finland
Don’t get me wrong, I like the song and wouldn’t turn off the radio if they played it but… 43 countries… Far over 800 million inhabitants… Is “Fuego” the best song that can be composed? I somehow feel a bit embarrassed by that thought
+12 points go to you
i already feel embarrassed ,she can sing even ajee ajee Fuego thats it
It‘s really shallow, i agree. But i think is part of the contest to have acts that are dance numbers. It shakes things up.
Omg first hype is Estonia then Israel and now new hype Cyprus really
Not who, I think but who I’d like to see go through are:
#10 Croatia
#9 Austria
#8 Finland
#7 Bulgaria
#6 Belgium
#5 Czech Republic
#4 Israel
#3 Cyprus
#2 FYR Macedonia (I can still hope)
#1 Belarus
Where can we watch some of the today’s performances or at least how they went?
I think there could be even a tiebreaker between 10-12 place. Qualification will be so close.
Does the EBU have rules on what to do in such event? Like if 10th and 11th place have the same number of points….who ends up going through?
The act with the highest televote breaks the tiebreak.
That actually happened in 2012. Bulgaria scored 11th, but with the same amount of points as the 10th. As Matt said, televote has the advantage.
No, the country that got points from more countries has the advantage. That’s how Norway won the tie.
Suprise winner from Cyprus maybe? She’s got the momentum on her side, betting agencies are about to place her 3rd right behind Estonia. After the semi I have a feeling Estonia AND Cyprus will overtake Israel for a 1-2. The press are loving Cyprus and Estonias performances and have gone cold turkey on Israel. Let’s wait and see, good luck to all!
Cyprus winning is not a surprise LOL It is projected to have a high chance of winning.
Now she is in the 2nd place and so close to Netta.
I just watched the predictions video and I must say that “IKEA Diaspora” is a fantastic concept! 😀 I was trying to make my own list and it’s nearly impossible to do it without regreting about leaving some country out of it. This is for sure the toughest Eurovision semi to predict ever. It will be nervewracking to watch the qualifiers announcement.
I’m waiting for tomorrow .It will be a semi final full of surprises !
I hope one of them is Albania qualifying. Croatia would be nice too.
It will be still afternoon here, Tibor. I’ll have to find another way! haha
estonia should win
Albania ? Practically third world country
Yet always up there in the top 5
Albanians all over Europe clearly
All over Eurovision too. Like Eleni and Ermal…don’t be a hater.
Celebrate diversity FTW
Croatia is my favorite number 1! Franka is amazing!
Beside Croatia, final for the Austria too..
Oh look! What a surprise! Always the same countries at the top on this blog :’) Some people just can’t vote for their favorite, they only vote for their country. And don’t say I’m jealous, my country is in top 10 as well.
I voted for Czech Republic because I love everything in this song but Bulgaria, Isreal and Estonia are quite impressive as well. Good luck everybody and have a great week!
They can vote whatever they want ..they have the right to do it .!! I also vote for my country and for my favourite one .
Sure I get it. Perhaps I was a bit aggressive. But there are some countries (and one in particular but I won’t tell wich it is) that are every year really well placed here… and that crash against a wall in semi final every year. This year, the song of THE country I’m thinking about is good, the singer is great but it’s clearly not one of the best song of the year. Hope people from this country won’t cry on YouTube and in here if there is no final for them like they do every year.
I guess you are talking about Albania ?? Am i right? Personally i don’t believe in odds or polls ..everything can happen tomorrow
Its about Macedonia i guess
They lost final for 5 years
First I would like to say that there is no song this year that I cannot stand. Depending on my mood I prefer some over others but I think that all the songs are strong and all the performers are doing their best. That being said, my 10 qualifiers from semi 1 are: -Cyprus: this years most energetic performance. Also Eleni is stunningly gorgeous! -Israel: Netta is such a gifted beautiful creature! I love her song and the performance! -Bulgaria: Another strong entry from Bulgaria that seems to want a win really bad. Maybe 2018 is their lucky year! -Estonia:… Read more »