Amid all the tears and excitement, the qualifiers from the first semi-final of Eurovision 2018 didn’t have much time to compose themselves. But they headed to the post-show press conference anyway, opening their hearts and sharing their joy. Below you can hear what they had to say.

They also drew “first half” or “second half” in the running order. Producers will later determine the full running order for the grand final. Their goal is to create the most interesting show.

Running order draw: First half or second half

First half

  • Austria
  • Albania
  • Estonia
  • Lithuania

Second half

  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Finland
  • Ireland
  • Israel

Austria: Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You”

First half

“I didn’t feel like I had the crowd at my feet. A lot of the crowd were right at my eye sight. It was a beautiful view. I felt so close to everyone. I see a lot of people I know and they all seem very happy.

“Just after coming off stage I was so happy. I was so happy. When the camera came i was even happier. I was just so happy to be with my singers. We were so happy that we had done well and done a good job. We were just busy being happy. When the camera came we were surprised because we were busy being happy.”

Expectations for the final? “I just think about what we can do better. Aspects to put on an even better show in the final. That’s all I’m thinking. But right now the happiness is what’s most prominent.”

Here’s @cesarsampson ! #eurovision #semifinal1

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Estonia: Elina Nechayeva – “La forza”

First half

“I think that the power of love has amazing power maybe to win.”

“I think the most important [thing] is to sing from the heart, to sing from the soul. Then I think you can reach to people’s hearts and souls, and invoke some hidden emotions that are somewhere inside of them. Maybe there are goosebumps and tears inside of them.”

Tere @elinanechayeva ! #eurovision #semifinal1

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Cyprus: Eleni Foureira – “Fuego”

Second half

Cyprus made their debut in 1981. The best result so far is fifth place. Is it time to win? “I wish I can change that. I’m so happy being here right now. Thank you for all the lvoe and support the people. i’m going to try and make support for Cyprus. This journey is amazing for me and what we are doing here is not always for the positions and the message and for the music and the love.”

You live in Greece. But how do you feel about Yianna not making it? “I was the third. i didn’t listen that I pass. I was thinking. ‘Where is the camera?’ And I saw the camera coming to me and I was crazy….I ran with high heels like crazy. I found a screen and I was like ‘Greece, Greece, Greece? I saw they didn’t qualify and I was ready to cry. Greece is my homeland and I wish things were different, really.”

“I feel like a winner already. My life is beautiful already. If I win, if I don’t win, it’s the same for me. When I hear people sing it’s amazing.

She’s got the FUEGO! #eurovision #semifinal1 @foureira

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Lithuania: Ieva Zasimauskaite – “When We’re Old”

First half

It’s magical when you meet your husband on the bridge. “I don’t know, but the main thing in my lie is not to act anything. I wanted to do this with my real husband as an actor. In the video clip there is my parents and my grandparents, there are no acting. It’s a good feeling to be on the stage with your husband so think about that.”

“It is said that after three years you are going together or separating. When the fighting comes, work on it. All people have struggles in life. We can smile, we can add something, but we all have struggles. The most important thing is not to give up. You don’t need to search for a person. If your heart is saying it’s that person don’t look at the bad qualities. Focus on the good.”

“The main victory in life is to be happy. And to make the people surrounding you happy. The most important thing is not to be perfect.”

Ieva is in the room! @ievazasimauskaite #eurovision #semifinal1 #qualifiers

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Israel: Netta Barzilai – “Toy”

Second half

Why the cats? “That’s Doron’s crazy mind. Doron wrote the song and together with the whole K-pop, J-pop thing we thought it would be a really great thing.”

You were bullied. What do you have to say to those people? “I had to go through what I’ve been through. It made me who I am. I thank them. But I would like to say that I want bullying to stop because it is obviously ruining people’s live. I had amazing parents. I am very, very lucky to have them and have them support my dream, but nobody…most people don’t have tools to deal with bullying. So that’s about it. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love myself. And I love everybody.”

How do you handle the pressure? “I think it’s The Matrix — you decide what pill you want to take. Between making music and making people happy, celebrating diversity, celebrating all these amazing artists on this stage. Amazing.”

@nettabarzi made the press room go CRAZY #eurovision #semifinal1 #qualifiers

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Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef – “Lie to Me”

Second half

“Three years ago I was still a street musician. I got busted there and spent some time in the police station, but to every single artist out there: if you’re starting out there, the street is the best place to learn how to perform and lose stage fright and attract people who don’t give a damn about you. if that didn’t happen I wouldn’t feel this great right now.”

“We came here wanting to do flips. Just being able to perform for me was a very special moment. I now take it even more seriously than I did before. Maybe I’m going to go crazy and do a flip. I’ve been advised not to. We’ve practiced for five months every single day to make it as perfect as we can and I will do my best to do that.”

“Whatever struggle you’re going through in life — a breakup, a family member passing away — in the end it’s you in the mirror, it’s you helping yourself. It’s always going to be you.”

Here’s @mikolasjosef and his backpack! #eurovision #semifinal1 #qualifiers

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Bulgaria: Equinox – “Bones”

Second half

Vladdi: “The atmosphere was fantastic. We were cheering for everybody. We were feeling good with how we performed. We just felt the love. We had the team surrounding us and the rest of our team is here in the room. This is a team effort for us. Thank you to Johnny and Trey for coming from the States to join us.”

Hey @equinoxbulgaria ?? #eurovision2018 #eurovision #esc2018

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Albania: Eugent Bushpepa – “Mall”

First half

“It’s a song about missing the person you care about most. I dedicate it to all Albanians, because I am missing Albanians.”

What’s it been like for you in the past day? “This was out of my league. My whole meaning was to give my maximum tonight. And I need to give myself time to sit and think about that.”

@eugentbushpepa #eurovision

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Finland: Saara Aalto – “Monsters”

Second half

You finally broke the second place curse. “But I was announced second to last, so i kind of get my second place still.”

Finland was among the last to be called. “I was so, so, so nervous. It was terrible because there was no cameras around us. The cameras were so far away. We were like they are not coming here. I’ve been wanting to be here for the last 20 years. This my biggest dream ever. I was like I really want to get to the finals. I screamed more than I’ve ever screamed in my life”.

“I feel good. This is like the best night of our lives. I’m just happy people felt my lvoe for Eurovision because this is the place where I belong. I really just gave my all. Like all of us, this is a really big thing for everybody. And to be able to be in the final is a very big thing for me.”

Ireland: Ryan O’Shaughnessy – “Together”

Second half

You are a fan of tattoos. Will you tattoo something to remember tonight? “Yeah, I’m just going to take a picture of this and then tattoo it on my back”

A lot of beautiful journalists here are gay. Still there is not one country that dared to sing about gay love. Do you want to inspire artists to sing about gay love as well?

“I just like to not inspire people to sing about gay love or straight love or anything like that. That was never my intention. My intention from the start was to help people who don’t see that love is just love and there’s no difference if it’s between a man and a woman or a woman and a woman or a man and a man and I think it’s really important. Not everyone is as liberal as the people in this room are. It’s an important thing I think. I’m really proud of my country for making that change a couple of years ago. We’re bringing new energy back to that topic and I’m really happy about that.”

“I was actually pretty confident before I stepped on stage. I said a little prayer to my Uncle Tony. I think it was Jon who picked us last to come out. it was a very comfortable experience. I’m here for a short time and a good time.”

PHOTO: Etienne Waiotte for wiwibloggs

178 Comments
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M_K
M_K
5 years ago

That Albanian flag needs to be ironed.

Processing
Processing
5 years ago
Reply to  M_K

Spit and then burnt…

jhon
jhon
5 years ago
Reply to  Processing

angry your country is not in the final

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
5 years ago

I just wonder if Sweden will get a great running order anagin in the final, just like they did last year. And of course they are in an easier semifinal, near the end, with other nordic countries who can block vote for them. Nepotism much mr Ola?

Yrneh96
Yrneh96
5 years ago

I really hope Lithuania wins.
From Portugal, cheers.

Matt C
Matt C
5 years ago

The random order of naming the acts points to a couple of things. Last year Portugal won their semi and were named 5th out of the 10 qualifiers. Ukraine back in 2016 were also called out 5th. Last to be called out has always occupied the 3rd position in the semi (Ireland?). Obviously all of this is just speculation because Bulgaria in their semi was called out 1st. And Russia in 2016 were called out 2nd. But then going back to 2015 Sweden were called out 4th and Russia in their semi were called out 3rd. So there’s definitely a… Read more »

Sofia 2019
Sofia 2019
5 years ago

Waw i have never seen Jana so emotional after the semi , thats really nice backstage footage by BNT , i really hope that with perfect performance in the final in the secound half , Bulgaria can still do it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XywlwsbPmmM

I only wish that the backstage singer was also with them on the stage , she is amazing , so sweet and really deserving to be on that stage.

Richard
Richard
5 years ago

Lithuania is taking this. Mark my words

only netta
only netta
5 years ago

I S R AE L great song!

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

I think Georgia might manage to qualify on Thursday ….but if they don’t, there will be no Caucasus countries in the final for the very first time. That would be quite odd. Wonder who they would vote for? Probably Cyprus …
So far, Eastern Europe is being devastated in Eurovision this year, wouldn’t have imagined that 10 years ago. Although I expect this to change with Russia, Ukraine and Georgia qualifying on Thursday.

Real Eurovision
Real Eurovision
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

It would be a dream to have a final without any of the dirty cheap easterners. A final with glitz and glamour showcasing the best of Europe – Western Europe. This is what Eurovision is supposed to be like.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

I wouldn’t call them dirty and cheap, that’s unfair. The Eastern European nations are incredibly culturally rich and are more than capable of hosting Eurovision if they win.
For me, in Eurovision if the song is good it should qualify and win, weither that is an Eastern bloc nation or a Western nation.

My2Cents
My2Cents
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

well, Albania and Bulgaria got through! From former yugoslavic countries the only hope now is Slovenia, which also seems unlikely.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  My2Cents

If last nights semi was staged 10 years ago, in Belgrade, I think the qualifiers would have been so different.
Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Albania, Belarus, Croatia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and maybe Cyprus and Israel as the dance act and the novelty act respectively.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago

Backpack kid at SNL—that’s original.
Czech at ESC—is not.

David
David
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexanderized

Still you talk about

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexanderized

I didn’t like the Czech Republic song either until the live performance last night. Totally a standout performance from them. Mikolas came across as a lot more likeable than I thought.
It won’t win, but it’s definitely safe to say that Czech Republic is going to get their best ever Eurovision result. FairPlay to them after years of failure.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Hey Darren, it’s funny but it’s vice versa for me: I don’t think it makes any sense to discuss the song, but I found the whole backpack thing really off putting. You’re right—he does come off as a likeable guy, it’s just—can you not present yourself with something that was not stolen from someone else?

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexanderized

Yeah its not the most original song but to be honest, Eurovision songs 80% of the time are rip-offs of chart toppers.
Cyprus, while being amazing, is a kind of Rihanna, Beyoncé and Major Lazer mash up. Ireland has Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith vibes, Albania has Coldplay vibes, etc etc. Czech Republic tried to be as different and standout as they could possibly be.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

I’m afraid you missed my point 🙂 I don’t think it there’s a point in discussing the song, you either like it or not. I don’t, but if you like it—great! I think it shouldn’t be always about the winning song.

But I do have problems with all this backpack hype, which (1) is clearly not his idea and (2) makes the whole thing unauthentic to me.

Kent
Kent
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexanderized

And what about Jana and her wig replicating Sia’s? Eleni’s hair seems a lot like Beyonce’s and I could also say her dancing is a copy of Beyonce’s dance moves as well. Who cares if Mikolas used a backpack on stage? It’s about how he performs his song and how well it is presented to viewers. Clearly it was presented well and suited his “geek chic” theme. Every artist takes ideas from other people or things that are already out there. Get a grip on reality and realize originality is subjective. Unless you actually invented something, you are not original.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Kent

I don’t phucking care about Janas, Sias and so on. I was pointing out a very specific aspect of his image, which was clearly stolen. Get a grip on reality and realize that there’s a difference between getting inspired and stealing something 1:1.

Kent
Kent
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexanderized

An yet you have no response as to why Jana wasn’t “stealing” Sia’s wig. You don’t like something, get over it.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Kent

I don’t even know who that Jana is, you dumbass.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Kent

Whatever wig that was, it was definnitely not invented by Jana or Sia. The backpack kid DID in fact invent that dance move…and the Czech dude just stole it…AND the backpack.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Original or not, it was fun, like a breeze of fresh air, very enjoyable performance indeed, he was relaxed and confident.

Alexanderized
Alexanderized
5 years ago
Reply to  Ally

If it’s not original, it cannot be ‘a breeze of fresh air’ by definition.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Alexanderized

I thought in Eurovision, I don’t remember that kind of performance tbh..

Dan
Dan
5 years ago

I’m incredibly disappointed for Switzerland and Belgium, my two favourites of the year, but what I find particularly interesting is in the run-up I assumed Greece, Armenia, and Azerbaijan all had places in the final purely based on who they are. Every single country which qualified last night (except maybe Lithuania, but Lithuania’s also not known for high placings) has no real diaspora vote or neighbour vote to fall back on, and I think it’s the most clear message so far that ‘if you have a good song, you can do well’. That said, I hope I never see a… Read more »

Roby0888
Roby0888
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan

I am SOOO sad for Switzerland, they really deserved to qualify :'(

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago
Reply to  Dan

Albania has a big diaspora, but that doesn’t really show in their results, but for the rest of the qualifiers you are right, anything can happen this year.

Nickfan
Nickfan
5 years ago

It’s very good for France with all these ballads in the 1st half ! I hope France will be 9-13 in the running order to be in the top 5 or… to win!

The 2nd half will be incredible! Hard to pick the best act!

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago
Reply to  Nickfan

I actually think the opposite about France. It’s not that fast song, midtempo I would say so they may sligthly stand out among the ballads. But a lackluster staging (which they might have according to the reactions during the rehearsals) France may suffer. Plus the language barrier. Don’t get me wrong, I like their song and I wish for the best, I’m just sceptical about whether they’ll meet the high expectations.

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyna

To quote Corneille, one of our most famous French dramatists: “to conquer without danger, one triumphs without glory”. What I mean is that in France, we are used to having obstacles on our way, but that will not prevent us from giving everything to try to overcome them. If we win, the merit will be even greater, and if we lose, it will be classy. Our strength is that “Mercy” is unique. There are no other songs that look like it this year or any other similar to it in previous years. This subject is completely new in the contest.… Read more »

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

I absolutely love current French music, I listen to it every day. I’m so glad that France has finally stepped up their game recently, especially when I know that France actually has a lot of good songs. No doubt that “Mercy” is already one of the historical entry of Eurovision. Keep it up <3

Zack
Zack
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

France has thrown away their chance with very poor staging when a non English song required it to get their ”message ” across
French people are such effete drama queens who lack practicality

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago
Reply to  Zack

Hey, dear Zack, eat our “very poor staging” and cry .

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/994335083493560321

Zebb
Zebb
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

It’s a sweet text with some conceited touch, but all last years I haven’t seen ever a stage from your country that would uplift the song 😉 I blatantly thought your country was capable of…

Peter
Peter
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyna

Yes , I completely agree ; it’s a message song and yet they have made no effort to get their message across to non French speakers with the staging …they don’t deserve to win

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Estland and France will probably start between 9-13. If a winner from semi 1 daraw first half, that song will have 13. Otherwise Estonia or France.
Israel, and Cyrus will probsbly start 14-21 if they were in top in theire semis. Bulgaria snd Check 21-26 if they were 3rd and 4th in their semis.

Matt C
Matt C
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

The winner of the semi will not be placed at the beginning of the 2nd half aka 14th. The winner will be placed from 18-23, and then the second will be around those positions too. If Israel placed 3rd (which I suspect they did) she will close the show and kill off her chances.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt C

Hm, think you could be right about the winner. 18 maby for the winner, read Cyprus. Dont’t think he will end whith Israel. People would belive he would favor israel since it has been on top at the odds. Imagine what people would write.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Has winners from semis got spots between 18-23 earlier?

Mark C
Mark C
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

2017 – Portugal 11, Bulgaria 25
2016 – Russia 18, Australia 13
2015 – Russia 25, Sweden 10
2014 – The Netherlands 24, Austria 11
2013 – Denmark 18, Azerbaijan 20

So all semi-final winners who drew 1st half performed in the last 4, and 2nd half draws performed 18-25.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark C

Thank you

Elin
Elin
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark C

But I think he also look at what spot a song got in the semi. I think Lituania will be late because they were early in the semi. And Norway will be late because they will start as nr1.
Last year Sweden was nr 1 in semi and late in the final.
Then he has to spread out the rock songs, ballads etc. So it’s not only the results in the semis.

Jonathan
Jonathan
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Don’t think EBU want people to find out the pattern between the results in the semis and the runingorder. When we will, They have to change it. Othervice there will be to easy to predict the winners from eache semi when the producer set the runingorder. That would destroy the exitement and be to good information to those who bet money.

Jonathan
Jonathan
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonathan

Well, I think you don’t have to be a geneous. It just takes some time, a pen and paper.

Wayne
Wayne
5 years ago

Ireland got a great draw among the uptempo songs. I think wiwibloggs ate their words last night…. mohahaha

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

Damn the second half will be the one to Watch! So many favourites, ireland included)yes I said it(. He was announced last, that usuallly means the act got top 3
If Sweden and Norway gets drawn second half too the half will be a blodbath!

Gleb
Gleb
5 years ago

Wiwibloggs, please write the article that Russia HAS AIRED Ireland’s peefromance, here is the prooflink https://www.1tv.ru/shows/eurovision2018/polnaya-versiya-shou/pervyy-polufinal-evrovidenie-2018. I’m tired of people spreading these lies. I knew that “Ireland perfromance ban” is nonsence from the very begining.

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

The odds said Finland will not qualify now she did! So this means that Hungary and Romania would qualify after all.

Life is a drag
Life is a drag
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

That’s not how voting works. That’s not how anything works.

kiin
kiin
5 years ago
Reply to  Life is a drag

Bookies can be wrong, is not necessarily causation.

Danny
Danny
5 years ago

Pretty sure norway puts money to affect the odds. NOBODY likes this song, even those who say nice things about the entry always talk about the staging saying ”I still don’t like the song, but the staging makes it better”. Oh wow, sounds like a true winner. Lol

shijie
shijie
5 years ago

I watched the live broadcast in China?Ireland and Albinia were both completely cut off the show because of the regulation of tattoo and gay content . I am devastated.

Sto
Sto
5 years ago
Reply to  shijie

China and Russia’s government can suck my ass! Can’t face the real world! Homophobic countires! I’m glad Taiwan is not part of their territory now and Thailand is so LGBT friednly or I’m gonna lose faith in Asian countries about LGBT. Eurovision Asia is not gonna be good for LGBT members, I would say.

Frau Loch
Frau Loch
5 years ago
Reply to  Sto

Behaviour like this are the last breaths of nations that think they can control people in an era where we almost all have access to the internet.

The audience at home will be curious who went through and why they didn’t see them so they will look it up on the internet. These governments think that by doing this they can prevent their countries from changing but they achieve the opposite.

I still feel sorry for those who have to live under those regimes:-(

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

Silly comment. At the time of the dictatorship in Brazil or Nazism in Germany there was no such liberalism, it was better! Yes, I am in favor of Russia and China! Even though I’m gay.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  shijie

I agree with them, you have to block even, especially these gays, enough of liberalism in the world. I’m gay, but I’m not showing them all. People without respect.

No love
No love
5 years ago

Ireland should leave the EU like the UK. They are poor and needed a bail out. We don’t need them in the EU!! Get out!!

Barcelonita
Barcelonita
5 years ago
Reply to  No love

They are one of the Top 10 richest countries in the world so I think they are doing ok

Davyd
Davyd
5 years ago
Reply to  No love

Ireland is one of the fastest growing economies in the EU. We’ve come a long way since the recession.

Irishkisses
Irishkisses
5 years ago
Reply to  No love

Sorry what the hell has the EU got to do with the Eurovision….. You do know that alot of the participants are NOT in the EU. Grow the fcuk up ya pleb

Irish no European
Irish no European
5 years ago
Reply to  No love

Real talk – Irish British, what’s the difference? They share a history, speak English, on an island. Culturally, Irish are more British than European. Sorry, as an European from the continent, I never really considered Irish European. Maybe the Irish should vote to leave the EU too so we don’t have so much drama.

kiin
kiin
5 years ago

You are russian troll and you need to stop.

Evgeniya
Evgeniya
5 years ago

You are incredibly ignorant. What next, all islands in Mediterranean are the same? Get an education.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  No love

Can Wiwibloggs please remove this unnecessary garbage?

Thanks

Orla Alba
Orla Alba
5 years ago
Reply to  No love

Really ireland is poor?
The fastest growing economy in Europe
And time magazine voted best place to live in Europe –
Go back into the hole u crawled out of

Milla
Milla
5 years ago

Sweden Sweden Sweden… why all this talk about Sweden… hahaha! Worried? And Cyprus entry is Swedish except the singer. Amazing!

Elin
Elin
5 years ago
Reply to  Milla

Bulgarias song is swedish to. Was writen for Lorren by a sweed.

Ffs
Ffs
5 years ago

Cyprus just won !

Sofia 2019
Sofia 2019
5 years ago

I still have hope for Sofia 2019 , there is no song like BONES and it has 2nd half of the final ,we have so many solo female pop singers this year and i don’t think the jury’s like that ,im certainly tired of pop radio songs , i need something unique , i expect Bulgaria and Estonia to be the top 2 at the final , the-most atmospheric songs that gives you goosebumps .

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Sofia 2019

Yeah. It’s not gonna happen. Just look at how odds have dropped for Bulgaria and we already know their performance. And besides “Bones” is no “If Love Was A Crime” or “Beautiful Mess”.

Danny
Danny
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

The camera work in their number is a complete mess. A lot of numbers look messy, but this one is really one of the worst

eric
eric
5 years ago

If Cyprus wins then its like Sweden winning. Because almost everyone in Elenis team is Swedish from songwriters, dancers, backgrounds singers etc etc..

Im not your troll, you stupid boy
Im not your troll, you stupid boy
5 years ago
Reply to  eric

Yeah, the girl that vomit in tv-studio ten years ago

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago

We will say that Estonia and Cyprus have two different conceptions of music: a big voice and a big dress against a small voice and no dress … XD This is where I tell myself that other countries can take the opportunity to pass them in two ways: either present an excellent song (and after all it’s a song contest …) or present an excellent staging where it is not the dress that focuses the attention of the public. My country, France, still has its chances, but after this incredible semi final, I tell myself that (for the moment, since… Read more »

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

France is not going to win, calm down with the hype

RogerCGN
RogerCGN
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

My feelings are that france will be the main contender for the win. it will do well with both, the jury and the public. anyhow i will vote for madame monsier. greetings from germany

Susan
Susan
5 years ago
Reply to  RogerCGN

I will also vote for France and others too, but France is one in my list, who is definitely getting my vote 😀 Yeah I have so many favourites this year, that poor wallet 😀

Zebb
Zebb
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

Your first sentence fits so much their semi. Cyprus and Estonia were both stable at vocals, to addition.

Malick
Malick
5 years ago

France is first half? Germany too? damn. This sucks.

POOL75
POOL75
5 years ago
Reply to  Malick

For Germany, yes.

ESC FAN
ESC FAN
5 years ago

Second half will be a bloodbath. Good luck guys.

ESC FAN
ESC FAN
5 years ago

I still cannot believe Croatia has not qualified. I guess juries dont care about divas with ballads and wind machines anymore.

My2Cents
My2Cents
5 years ago
Reply to  ESC FAN

I think juries do but people don’t. She gave it her all and made the best possible version of a song that wasn’t a contender to begin with. I was mesmerized by her every move and vocal and the lighting was superb. She is a professional. But they should have been more wiser about the song.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  My2Cents

Her performance was great, but song is just dull..

Sto
Sto
5 years ago
Reply to  ESC FAN

The song is just boring. Her vocals couldn’t save her.

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago
Reply to  ESC FAN

Franka is a star. She deserved a better song. And that dress deserves the Barbara Dex award.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

Don’t know about the dress, but she’s the most beautiful woman of this semi imo 🙂

UK/Eesti Kid
UK/Eesti Kid
5 years ago

I can’t quite tell whether at this stage the UK is looking a likely opener with it being uptempo or whether it will be used to break up two of the stronger “quiet ballads” e.g. Lithuania and Portugal. Either way this could either completely kill the UK or perhaps the volume of slower more somber songs will give SuRie’s entry more of an impact being an upbeat happy number. As I feel it would seem much more impactful and danceable following Lithuania than it would if it were to follow Cyprus. I also wonder that if Sweden draw the first… Read more »

Matt
Matt
5 years ago
Reply to  UK/Eesti Kid

I think Sweden opened last year so I dunno if they’d open again, is Bjorkman actually doing the running orders for Portugal too, I thought he was just helping in Kyiv, and obviously Sweden before that?

UK/Eesti Kid
UK/Eesti Kid
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt

Sweden opened their semi final last year and then performed around 22-25 in the Final. I’m honestly not 100% sure Björkman is involved I just assumed that if he was in Kyiv then he would be in Portugal too.

alfri jick
alfri jick
5 years ago

Imagine if Russia reaches the final and performs before Ireland

Danny
Danny
5 years ago
Reply to  alfri jick

Its far easier to imagine Russia not reaching the final. The entry, the staging, the live singing, everything is just bad.

ai4pres
ai4pres
5 years ago
Reply to  alfri jick

i’m not so sure about their song this year. no hate. just the staging ain’t the best

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  alfri jick

Russia will not qualify i’m telling you.

Fortun
Fortun
5 years ago

It’s bad for some ballads of the first half, but it’s also bad for some uptempo songs of the second.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Fortun

I agree. If I were from Norway’s delegation, I would want to perform on the first half. Especially since they won’t open the show two times in a row, so they would get a noble spot anyway.

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago
Reply to  Fortun

That’s for sure, and the Portuguese TV should not be happy. They certainly do not want viewers to fall asleep or zap along the way. The draw may be “fair” for the countries, but totally unbalance the show’s programming.

eric
eric
5 years ago

People here keeps on complaining about second or first half. If you think your favourite song are so weak that it will matter if it is in either half of the final then your song is most likely not a winner. .. lets face it people

Petrik
Petrik
5 years ago

I think Cyprus will definitely benefit from Greece not qualifying.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Lithuania 5th at the odds now
…somebody knows something…

Mmm
Mmm
5 years ago

I really hope Poland will not choose the first half, because it will definitely be the opening act of the finall. And as we know, it will be sign of the last place in general. It’s qualifying from this weak semifinal, of course.
The drawing should not be selected, it should be the matter of coincidence!

janiz
janiz
5 years ago
Reply to  Mmm

Nah. Denmark will be first half and will open the final, because of the ‘all aboard/ discovery’ theme. Mark my words.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  janiz

This makes a lot of sense. Haven’t thought about this possibility.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Mmm

Well, Belgium opened with Laura Tesoro and got 10th place. I don’t think it’s a bad position for an uptempo song that isn’t between the favorites.

Bdou
Bdou
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

It is true that Belgium finished 10th overall (televotes + juries) while performing 1st in the final. But the reality is that they didn’t really succeed to attract the viewer’s votes. In the televoting rankings, Belgium finished 16th with 51 points.
But you can use Ukraine 2014 as a good example of an opening act that finished well : they finished 6th overall and “most importantly” in the televoting ranking they finished 8th with 112 points.

Curve
Curve
5 years ago
Reply to  Mmm

It would be nice if Sweden will open the grand final. They should be in the first half.

Henrikh Mugosa
Henrikh Mugosa
5 years ago
Reply to  Curve

Sweden should sing from #2 in the Grand Final.

David
David
5 years ago
Reply to  Henrikh Mugosa

Worried Heinrich..? You should be. Sweden will slay

Luke
Luke
5 years ago

I was in the golden circle tonight and I thought the sound was terrible. I couldn’t hear a word of what the hosts were saying and the sound of the acts, while better, was not very good. I could clearly hear what others around me were saying. Is that a normal experience at Eurovision live when you are so close to stage? I thought the show was great, but would have loved more volume. If anyone there live has any feedback I’d love to know if it was only me.

Danny
Danny
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

The broadcast sound wasn’t great too, seemed like a lot of entries had mixing problems, even bulgaria sounded worse than I expected.

Shelly
Shelly
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

exactly something was off with the audio and I don’t think it was any of the singers necessarily but it sounded off and muddy

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago
Reply to  Shelly

Same. I couldn’t hear Aisel singing because the music was way too loud. Also some other songs sounded off

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

When Sweden qualify, I can see them drawing second half. Bjorkman, EBU will put them up against Ireland. Bit of excitement…in a “will Ireland lose its record of most wins?” kind of way.

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

i am betting right now that ireland will be 13-14 in the running order, MARK MY WORDS, there is no way that bjorkman will put them anywhere else

Susan
Susan
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

No, now I am 100% sure, that Sweden get’s first half, so it can stand out massively. First half has a lot of slow songs right now 🙁 But really hoping he gets, second half, because then he is doomed basically. He will fall out of top10, but if he get’s to perform first half, then he will finish top10. That’s my thoughts atm,

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Is Christer Bjorkman still choosing the running order? Don’t they have any producers in Portugal?

I thought last year was an exceptional situation.

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

he is, he is like the mafia he pops out of nowhere

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Omg, all those slow songs in the 1st half! Hungary, Sweden and Moldova better HOPE they’ll pick 1st half so they can stand out more.

Petrik
Petrik
5 years ago

Sweden! winner

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

The running order for the 1st half will be tough to make. They need to separate Germany from Portugal, also Spain from Lithuania and even France from Portugal because of the trip-hop background. They also have Eugent, Elina and Cesár as power vocalists that probably will need some distance between them. So far, SuRie is the biggest candidate to open the show, but I believe the producers’ dream is that Poland gets 1st half. Moldova, Australia and Slovenia (long shot) would be other options.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

But if Australia qualifies and gets first half, they will have to separate it from the UK… and what about if Sweden also gets 1st half and we have three light tubes props on the same half? 😛

Petrik
Petrik
5 years ago

I am in Lisbon. The buzz tonight is about Sweden. Good luck to them.

esc1234
esc1234
5 years ago
Reply to  Petrik

fake news alert

eric
eric
5 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Goooo Sweden

Xhenne
Xhenne
5 years ago

Ireland’s shock qualification, I just realized, is going to hurt Finland. People have been saying “oh, Saara got UK because of The X Factor” but now with Ireland in the final, not only does Finland’s British votes get split, but also her LGBTQ+ votes. Good thing she’s in the 2nd half (because she has a chance to close the show), but also her reaction to her draw “Second half! Second again, I told you I’m cursed” was adorable!

The Truth
The Truth
5 years ago

fuego is awful too so it doesnt matter

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
5 years ago

Do you guys think that the UK will withdraw next year?
I love SuRie but given her odds, it looks like she’s going to get nil point.
I really think that ITV should get the rights.
What do you think Wiwibloggers?

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

ITV would be a great choice for the UK. They need a Saturday night reality show from February to April, it’s the only period of the year where they don’t have a show like X-Factor, The Voice, BGT on etc. So we would probably get a really good national selection show. Simon Cowell would probably get involved too AND if UK ever won, Holly Wiloughby, Phil Scofield and Dermot O’Leary would be great presenters. Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuiness could do those comedic pre-recorded videos that air during the voting. They’re all contracted to ITV.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Darren

Dermot O’Leary also works for the BBC. I would love to see him and Claudia Winkleman host if the UK ever won. ITV would need a commercial break every ten minutes, so I don’t think they are a good match.

Thiago
Thiago
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

They’ll be hosts if Cyprus wins so maybe they withdraw the year after 🙂

Princess Peregrine
Princess Peregrine
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

UK should have withdrawn after 2005 in my opinion and had a hiatus similar to Italy.
ITV would not have the same investment in ESC as BBC. At Junior Eurovision they did it for three years then pulled out.
I totally agree that the BBC have had the wrong approach to Eurovision for years but they just need a better Eurovision ‘champion’ (like they had with Jonathan King) rather than it moving to a different channel.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

If the UK didn’t withdraw after Jemini and their nul points, I doubt they are gonna do that with SuRie.

RockMe
RockMe
5 years ago

Cyprus is in it to win it. You can’t have a deep or dark song or a ballad as a winner every year. We deserve a diva victory.

The Truth
The Truth
5 years ago
Reply to  RockMe

trash

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago

I think Eleni is great! But come on the song is sooooo cheap!!!!!!!!!!!! ???

The Truth
The Truth
5 years ago
Reply to  Patrick

2 min of AYE gonna win, eurovision is a joke, sorry

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Terrible news for Spain. The first half is very slow compared to the second one.
Lithuania and France are the two strongest “calm songs” in there. Good for Albania tho, unless Hungary gets 1st half too. So far, the UK would be selected to open the show.

The second half is the crazy side of the Grand Final. Looks really good for Ireland (so far). I can see either Bulgaria or Israel closing the night, since Cyprus have already done it tonight.

Trocatroc
Trocatroc
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

But don’t you think they will now need SuRie to break up all those ballads? It’s going to be a long first half!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Trocatroc

They will put Albania in the middle.

durie
durie
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Voters might get tired with all the party fest of the second half. Then you also have ireland which will probably get those votes…but i doubt people will forget estonia.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  durie

Look at the odds…Estonia is suspiciously falling too much. Either the jury or the televoting didin’t respond to that song.

Olivier2
Olivier2
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

You do realise the odds ruled Ireland, Albania, and Finland out . The odds also predict Norway to win which is ludicrous. The odds are just a bunch of people putting money into a system of faith.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Olivier2

Yes, they are. But not after the semifinals, that’s when we need to pay attention to the odds. Lithuania were never a contender, look at their odds now.
Odds in April and during the rehearsals are just a bunch of nonsense. No one knows anything. We will really know how strong Norway really are on Friday.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago
Reply to  Olivier2

Interesting point. Amaury from France was on top of the bookies’ boards throughout the 2011 contest, and yet he ended up 15th. You never know…

Bruce Evilis
Bruce Evilis
5 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

Now some people (and bookies???) have a “sampling” of the results (jury + televoters). So Estionia WILL NOT win this year. I’t almost sure. The victory is now between Cyprus, the winner of SF2 (Norway or Sweden) and one of the BIG5 (France ? Spain ? Germany ?). Lithuania could be a dark horse and gain some vote due to its position in 1st half, but according to odds, this song was beaten by Cyprus About Amaury Vasilis and Big 5 odds: they are not relevant until show because (note: now with final rehearsal video on youtube we can have… Read more »

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago

New bedding odds: number 1 is Norway!!!

Patrick
Patrick
5 years ago

New bedding odds : Norway number 1

Esc
Esc
5 years ago

I think Lithuania Stole the Night… She Is now muy favorite.. Lithuania 2019

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

What I don’t like about Lithuania is that they kind of copied somehow the Spanish entry in the end of the performance. I like the song though

The Truth
The Truth
5 years ago

And again, you guys are promoting Eleni. Sigh

Alex
Alex
5 years ago
Reply to  The Truth

Exactly!