Cyprus’s Eleni Foureira whipped her hair like Beyoncé. Israel’s Netta Barzilai dropped a cappella sounds before a wall of Japanese maneki-neko cats. And Estonia’s Elina Nechayeva hit the highest of high notes while wearing a a 60,000 euro projection dress. And after the confetti and glitter had settled on Semi-Final 1 of Eurovision 2018, all three of them had qualified for the grand final on Saturday.

Eurovision 2018: Semi-Final 1 Qualifiers

Semi-Final 1: Eliminated acts

Eurovision 2018: Semi-Final 1 Reaction

The voting results presented a number of surprises. Albania’s Eugent Bushpepa had been a fan favourite ever since he won Festivali i Kenges back in December. But hype had subsided and the bookies thought he was out. But he is most definitely in. He’s also the first male soloist from Albania ever to make the final. He’ll be joined in the final by fellow Albanians Eleni Foureira from Cyprus and Ermal Meta from Italy.

Another surprise? Ireland’s Ryan O’Shaughnessy. The bookies wrote him off long ago. And while his fans have consistently been behind him, even some of them worried that the staging may not be enough to push him through. After his tasteful and atmospheric performance, haters are definitely eating their words.

Azerbaijan, which had to open the show, fell short and won’t sing in the final for the first time in its Eurovision history. Armenia also fell short. Despite a sound performance, Sevak won’t sing “Qami” again in the grand final this Saturday. The last time Armenia was eliminated was in 2011 when Emmy sang “Boom Boom”.

Greece also failed to make the final for the second time in its history. The last time it sat out the final was in 2016 in Stockholm.

Did your favourite make it through? Who was done wrong? And who is going to make the biggest impact in Lisbon on Saturday?

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jhon
jhon
5 years ago

i think albania win …

Marko
Marko
5 years ago

What the hell were Belarus thinking by changing the tempo of the song for the semi final. The earlier version was superb but they destroyed any chance of qualifying with this dulled down romantic version. Also the staging was shocking and the rose concept so dated. The song and Alekseev deserved much better. Sorry to see them go but the original version will remain in my playlist “for everrrrrrr”.

Mscy
Mscy
5 years ago
Reply to  Marko

agree with you but i think vocally he is lacking anyway. The studio version is really really good

chendonghe
chendonghe
5 years ago

I watched Eurovision live in midnight in China. I’m so happy that my top 3: Albania, Ireland and Cyprus are both qualified!

Simon
Simon
5 years ago
Reply to  chendonghe

Didnt they erase the Albanian and irish entry? I hope China NEVER becaome a member here like Australia. I would riot then

chendonghe
chendonghe
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

Albanian and Irish were only erased on Mango TV. But there are a lot of other channels for Chinese Eurovision fans to watch such as Netease Music or B Website and so on. On these websites we can watch the whole version.

Crazy
Crazy
5 years ago
Reply to  chendonghe

Such a shame really. China, the one country that really needs gay marriages since they have 200 million more men than women due to selective abortions from their birthing policy, they are the ones who censor it. Crazy.

langtuteng
langtuteng
5 years ago
Reply to  Crazy

You should take a visit to China to see how welcomed gays and lesbians are among teenagers. The only problem is that it’s still not the turn to let the younger generation to establish policies. But that day will surely come.

Africavision
Africavision
5 years ago

Only 5 of my top 10 qualified. 🙁
I was rooting for Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Macedonia, and Belarus. 🙁

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

I feel same 🙂

Sofia 2019
Sofia 2019
5 years ago

its funny how Estonia just copy/paste J Lo dress trick 😀

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcZklMr57lM

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago
Reply to  Sofia 2019

J Lo is not the first one to do that either, bye

Fred
Fred
5 years ago

Worst eurovision production ever. The portuguese will win after 40 years again or never.

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

I predicted 8 out of 10 right. I only missed Belgium and Greece. I would have liked Switzerland to qualify, instead of Finland or Ireland. Finland is a circus, she hasn’t got any vocal contention. Don’t get me wrong I like the song and Saara is a nice person, but that performance is a mess and will end most probably on the right side, if it wasn’t for the Nordic countries, UK and Ireland, I would predict a bottom 5 for Finland. I don’t like Ireland at all, Ryan seems to be very arrogant and the song is a bit… Read more »

rrrr
rrrr
5 years ago

william why you were not happy when you heard that israel qualified????????

Reena
Reena
5 years ago

Estonia and Elina just wow !

mscy
mscy
5 years ago
Reply to  Reena

great voice, great song but still very close and similar in style and even melodically to emma chaplin

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

In your opinion then Switzerland never deserved to go to the final?

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

In second semi Switzerland could pass easely

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

is so unfair, so Switzerland will be out of the final again.

Juha
Juha
5 years ago

Wiwibloggs hate Fnland by all means. Why? Not any positive comments on Saara`s stage performance which was technically suberb.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

It is so bad to be eliminated, nor do I want to see the crying reactions of those who have been eliminated. I’m depressed, what to do when everything goes wrong, like, I saw Sennek sad with the result of elimination.

Anita
Anita
5 years ago

What do you think about Albanias performance and staging?

A N
A N
5 years ago

Some people need to understand that there are lots of things to consider. A good song it’s just not enough. My favorite was Greece, before seeing the performance. The song, perfect; the staging, her voice, her capability to give to this song the emotions needed, not so much.

Eu67
Eu67
5 years ago

Lithuania won the semi.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Eu67

iI m little bet more realistic and Lithuania was between 8-10 place. Winner was Estonia, Cypros or Israel (first time live version from Israel was pretty good I must admit)

Alex
Alex
5 years ago

Greece robbed so badly

P.V
P.V
5 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Greece had technical issues with the jury performance 🙁

Zebb
Zebb
5 years ago

I had previously IRE and possibly LIT as qualifiers and was obv happy, these modern ballads are a saviours of contest this year to me – great ambience, pack of emotions.
But then Belgium, Greece? It was acceptable for latter as the song was meant to have something grand on stage, but Belgium not making final cut? Did the song really need much on stage to happen?
Amongst contest songs she was 5th on itunes at moment of qualifiers’ announcement and remains highest as non-qualified song.
Wow, didn’t expect that moment to be such a bitter splinter to me 🙁

Anthony de France
Anthony de France
5 years ago

sorry for my innocent question but would it be possible that the bookies already have the detailed results of the SF 1 ? Anyone knows about the process concerning secrecy and confidentiality about the results ? Are there examples of leaks the past years concerning the semi finals ?

Inês
Inês
5 years ago

This semi final was incredible! So many great songs to choose from… it was so sad seeing amazing songs out of the final. Belarus and Greece were outstanding!

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

I want Switzerland in the final !!!!!!!!!

FrostyW
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

Yas, honey! They lit my fire as much as Eleni. Most creative use of Pyro, too, and Coco was totally living in the moment out there on the catwalk.

Bruce Evilis
Bruce Evilis
5 years ago

I’m falling in love with Ieva…

What a touching song and beautiful girl !
Now I cannot choose between France and Lithuania…

Eurovision fan since 2014
Eurovision fan since 2014
5 years ago

Okay, I couldn’t watch the show yesterday so I watched it for the first time this afternoon, without looking at the odds or hearing any news about the qualifiers. I am sooo sooo happy for Ireland making it through, this was really touching and sublime, also Albania nailing it was amazing!!! Belgium seemed to me really bad, I mean these moves, this dress, c’mon. Azerbaijan not making it through for the first time, well a new chapter of history has started, those pyramids were kinda nice, but I am dissapointed with her voice, unfortunately. Greece was really bland and this… Read more »

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 »

FrostyW
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt C

I think Ireland was called out last for suspense simply because a lot of folks did not expect them to qualify.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  FrostyW

I honestly don’t think they use the ranking to define the order. The last 3 announced were those who weren’t sure qualifiers. And the first one was Austria, probably because they almost killed Nathan last year by announcing him for last. 😛 The obvious qualifiers were announced from 2nd to 7th and I believe it was completely random. If it tells something is that Lithuania hasn’t been borderline, maybe even top 3.

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Matt C

Ukraine didn’t win their semi though. Australia did. Ukraine just won overall based on the final. And I’m sure Austria weren’t 3rd in their semi last year.

Anthony de France
Anthony de France
5 years ago

the camera angles during elina’s performance were not satisfying at all;
and i find that the mixing between the colours of her dress during the second half of her performance and the background stage was not beautiful
in some way it was far less emotional than during her nation selection performances

Jim
Jim
5 years ago

i dont get how albania, ireland and lithuania surpassed armenia, greece and azerbaijan. i suppose the juries are to blame for this mess

Taco
Taco
5 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Well, what you call a mess: I call a blessing. Albania, Ireland and Lithuania had performances that were genuine. Real emotion, and a staging that fitted the song. Greece felt short in staging and vocals. Azebaijan did not fit the song: the song is energetic, the performance was too slow and lackluster. Armenia was what it was, I liked that, mostly because of his vocals.

Swedish fan
Swedish fan
5 years ago

Wiwibloggs “experts”, eat your hearts out for such bad reviews for Lithuania pre-competition. Now you’re going to be pretentious and say that it didn’t happen. The only authentic, positive, real and heartwarming performance of semi1. That is what Sobral meant by music, not fast food.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  Swedish fan

Yes, different from the goblin that his country (Sweden) trash will sing in the semi2.

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago
Reply to  Swedish fan

Agreed. I would also add Ireland to your comment. Simplicity worked so well!

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  Victoria

But not for Belgium…

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago
Reply to  Henry

That’s the problem right there. I think Belgium’s staging was all over the place too loud and distracting. Precisely it was not simple enough…

Aaron
Aaron
5 years ago

If your song depends on flashy LED screens to push it up, then you need to take a look at your song.
A song should be able to stand on its own without the over the top LED effects.
LED Lights do not make a song great. It just hides songs that are weak :/

lambada
lambada
5 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

You can tell yourself that ESC is a song competition, but is a TV SHOW. The whole package matters. People expect from you to deliver a complete and total SHOW.

Aaron
Aaron
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

But at the same time its a TV show about singing.
While people expect a total show, which is correct by the way.
What I am saying is your song should not depend on a flashy LED styled production around it,
if anything the song should be able to stand on its own and the production just an added bonus
instead of a weak to average song being saved because oooh look at the flashy lights :/

lambada
lambada
5 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

LED is art too. LED is no sin, it is part of artistic expression. Is still art. I will never forgive Portugal for not having LED. Because Portugal has no LED, Meta Moro need subtitles, Michael Schulte has his own projection screen, France is just two weird mimes, just because Portugal is narrow minded.

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

It is art as long as it used properly and in ”right dose”, which is often not the case and also often used to cover weak song or performer.. this was nice refreshement for me, next year I suppose they will return good old LEDs, so don’t worry 😛

lambada
lambada
5 years ago
Reply to  Ally

Who decides what means ”weak song”? Who decides what is ”the right dose”? Countries do what they think is good for their performance, and you have the right to not like it, and to not vote for it.

Aaron
Aaron
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

I’m not saying LED is a sin or that it’s unartistic. But at the same time, a song is art as well. effects of LED etc should help elevate a song that is good, it should not be used as a crutch for weak songs is what I am trying to say. If flashy LED screens make or break the entire contest is up to you, I don’t necessarily feel the same but that’s neither here nor there. Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder, so saying things like Portugal is narrow-minded or France is just 2… Read more »

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

LEDs should support song, to elevate the perfomance. Saying that Portugal is narrow-minded is narrow-minded also, it is always good to try some changes and see how it works.. In 50 years I suppose LEDs will be so old-fashioned, so whatever, I can live without LEDs this year, it’s not the end of the world..

lambada
lambada
5 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

”effects of LED etc should help elevate a song that is good, it should not be used as a crutch for weak songs is what I am trying to say.” —————————————- You can’t decide what song is good and deserves LED, and what song is weak, and doesn’t deserve the help of LED. You can only decide what to vote for. And yes, France is two weird mimes dressed in black, that move their hands like they want to throw something. France deserves LED, and the same any other song in competition has the right to show better its ideas.… Read more »

Aaron
Aaron
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

At this point this discussion is just going in circles.
At the end of the day we have different opinions on how the contest is going so I am just going to stop here because it doesnt serve any purpose to keep fighting over it

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

Our “mimes” have infinitely more class and talent than you have clairvoyance. Because even if we lose (yes I have enough lucidity to recognize that Estonia and the Czech Republic will be very difficult to surpass), we will lose with panache, and our song will enter anyway in the history of the iconic songs of Eurovision.End even if we have infinite respect for English and all English-speaking countries, nothing and no one will ever make us abandon the French language. We may not have winners bets, but we have hearts of Gauls. When we 2015 Lisa sang “and I swear… Read more »

lambada
lambada
5 years ago
Reply to  CyxCy

Your comment sounds like the last will and testament. Of course you should be proud of your language, but France is not famous for good staging, because you think french language is enough to send the message. No, it isn’t. You need subtitles like Meta Moro, or images/pictures on screen. Another year lost for France, because you don’t know how staging works, and you think if everybody doesn’t know french, there must be something wrong with the rest of the world.

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

But we love the rest of the world. 🙂 and the message was perfectly transmitted!

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

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

It’s right the opposite. Portugal is being very avant-grade by not having LEDs.

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

Spot on!

lambada
lambada
5 years ago

Greece must understand that Europe expects from them something like Eleni Foureira, or like Kalomira, or Paparizou. This is what Europe thinks when they think about Greece, just like a summer vacation. Greece should not try to be dark, traditional, songs about struggles and war and famine. WTF Greece, give us the summer hit.

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

The Greece song was great, it’s just that it was a very tough semifinal with a lot of great songs, plus the staging could be more original

FrostyW
5 years ago
Reply to  Gtyhygf

She nailed her song, but I spent the performance waiting for something more to happen during her song.

Well well
Well well
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

But then you don’t get gems like 2011 and this year. Yes this one didn’t deliver but it’s a beautiful song. Most people west of Vienna and north of Rome will not get it, but it’s their loss.

Douzepoints
Douzepoints
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

YOU must understand that it doesn’t work that way. 1) Aphrodisiac which was a very cheap copy of Number 1 and Secret Combination only placed 18th in 2012. ESC is past the era of generic ethnic pop songs performed by a hot lady, they simply don’t do as well as they did back in 2003-2009. They’re overused (especially by greece) and mostly outdated. Fuego is an exception solely because Foureira’s stage performance is on a whole new level but Greece (or any country for that matter) can’t pull out that kind of performance every other year because Foureira is the… Read more »

Anthony de France
Anthony de France
5 years ago

ok before watchig the semi final my favourite was estonia and now it’s … Cyprus
Le feu de la victoire est en Eleni !

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

The results of my results can be seen in semifinal 2:

SWEDEN (IMITATION OF THE TIMBERLAKE GARBAGE)
UKRAINE (UKRAINE’S SECOND WORST HISTORY MUSIC)
HOLLAND (HORREND DANCE)
SLOVENIA (HIGH QUALITY POP TRAP)
AUSTRALIA (SINGS EVIL, IT’S ON THE END!)
HUNGARY (IF EBU DOES NOT STEAL)
MOLDAVIA
NORWAY (WHAT HORROR!)
DENMARK
POLAND

I prefer a thousand times Romania, Russia, Serbia, Montenegro, Malta and Georgia in the final in the place of rubbish, but I know what to do in SEMIFINAL.

niklas
niklas
5 years ago

Cyprus going to make the biggest impact in Lisbon on Saturday!!! She’s already the winner.

POOL75
POOL75
5 years ago
Reply to  niklas

You wish.

Maria
Maria
5 years ago
Reply to  niklas

Cyprus in the final just shows voters bad taste in music.

mscy
mscy
5 years ago
Reply to  Maria

while israel shows exactly the opposite. If you consider your self having good taste in music you are watching the wrong competition.

Geeky Explorer
5 years ago

About the stage: I’m actually very happy with this choice of no LEDs, just lighting + AR.
It REALLY shows poor songs their true colors while good songs stand out from the crowd. It really is about the quality of the song and performance of the artists + a hint of modernity with AR elements.

Thank you, but we don’t need LEDs to throw some cheap dizzying graphics and disguise how bad some songs really are.

Luke
Luke
5 years ago
Reply to  Geeky Explorer

Totally agree

Helene
Helene
5 years ago
Reply to  Geeky Explorer

There are leds at the stage. That is the light one uses today. And the props and gimmicks are still here. Cyphrus had some kind of not working interaction with leds. Leds on Estonias dress etc. The stage was really messy sometimes. The ugly use of leds is more about bad staging in general. The early light LEDs has developed.

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago
Reply to  Helene

LEDs are so 2000’s. Completely out! The combination of high tech lights and in screen images work so much better. That was the whole magic of Cyprus.

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
5 years ago
Reply to  Geeky Explorer

I agree, it was great to see traditional staging for once. And props and cheesy cgi effects were so funny

Luke
Luke
5 years ago

Portugal is doing a wonderful job. The organization is flawless and the arena is magnificent. The lighting sets a new standard. The acts are so much more creative this years. Hope that Portugal will win soon again

Helene
Helene
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

Sorry but I do not agree. the area and stage are not working well. A lot of space that feels empty. Random lights. Especially the camera work is really amateurish. The manuscript and the presenters are embarassing. But that is eurovision. I love it.

Luke
Luke
5 years ago
Reply to  Helene

I agree that the script is the weakest link. But on all the rest the show is one of the bests maybe in five years or so. The stage feels really modern and and contemporary with lots of identity, which the previous didn’t have. And the camara work was on point.

Saara
Saara
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

“And the camara work was on point.” REALLYY? i mean really.. Estonia camera work was not good, actually one of the cameras (that aerial one) shut down and stopped working btw, So yeah, camera work was really amateurish.

Luke
Luke
5 years ago
Reply to  Saara

You picked exactly the one that was one of the best…

Saara
Saara
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

Nope, I have seen Estonian performances and there was camera angles that failed, also Belarus rose trick was little bit off to me. But i’m not expert, so yeah.

Susan
Susan
5 years ago
Reply to  Saara

Saara, you are so right about Estonia. The camera, what shows at top, stopped working, but they fixed it right before, when Elina sings the last note.

Saara
Saara
5 years ago
Reply to  Susan

They fixed it, But, it was little late, just my humble opinion.

Rih
Rih
5 years ago
Reply to  Saara

i just hope it will work fine on final

Geeky Explorer
5 years ago
Reply to  Saara

You’re aware camera work is chosen by countries themselves, right?

Saara
Saara
5 years ago
Reply to  Geeky Explorer

Yes, but if camera work fails from organization side?? Not only for Estonia, but also for Cyprus, Israel, Belarus, Greece and many others. Then it isn’t “countries themselves” fault, right?

FrostyW
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

I was hoping more from the scripting, but the rest of the show has been decent!

david
david
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

Last night it looked extremely cheap and I had the feeling I was 20 years back in time. Sorry to say but it shows we’re in a poor country this year.

Luke
Luke
5 years ago
Reply to  david

I disagree and so do many expert and professional comentators.

Helene
Helene
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

Could you name those experts an professionals. Even Cyphrus ha camera moving strangely. Seemed like a rehearsal. I think it was worse than last year. I long for Måns and Petra. But Sweden wont win.

Gtyhygf
Gtyhygf
5 years ago
Reply to  Luke

I wouldn’t mind if Portugal won this year too, their song is very very good, perhaps the best one in terms of ‘art’ (together with Bulgaria)

Christopher
Christopher
5 years ago

Happy enough with the qualifiers but the show and staging looked really bad accross the board. The stage looked far too big and all the acts got swallowed up by it (except Cyprus which wizely didnt cut out much). What is the point of these massive stages?! Also there was far too much of the audience in view- it was very distracting and those bloody flags!! Ugly and blocking the view of the performers.

Geeky Explorer
5 years ago
Reply to  Christopher

I don’t think the stage is big at all. It’s the perfect size actually. Countries decide the camera shots, so if there were too many wide shots, they’re the ones to blame.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

I hope Hungary is not stolen like Switzerland was. Switzerland can give up the ESC, never go to the final itself. This type of music from the Czech Republic was to be banned at ESC. Congratulations to Estonia, Lithuania, Albania and Cyprus, good luck in the final !!!!!

Henry
Henry
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

I would say, keep trying, The Netherlands did not qualify fo 8 years in a row! and now they qualify almost every year.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  Henry

Keep trying???? A country like Switzerland will only go to the final if it sends garbage like Austria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Israel sent. The good songs of the country never go to the final, and when they go (2011 and 2014) nor in the top 10 are. Another year without my favorite country in the final. I love you Switzerland !!!!

Taco
Taco
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

I never understand that one can have a favorite country. For me it is all about the song and the vocals. But hey, I can not take you seriously because you think its ok to say Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Israel are “garbage” . It might not be your taste, but to call it garbage is stupid.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  Taco

Switzerland is never going to the final, I want them in the final with a great song as they always offer us!

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago

Ireland only went through those gays dancing. If Ryan was alone, I swear he was not.

sevzch
sevzch
5 years ago
Reply to  JEFFERSON

and if elina didnt have the dress she would have not qualifyed and if cyprus didnt have dancers it wouldnt qualify and if greece had a better staging they would qualify you can complain all you want… the countries who passed to the final did their best regardless of props and stuff… staging is a major effect in esc!

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  sevzch

And music never matters, do what. Czech Republic did not go through the cause of music, it was trash, music, singer and stage.

Rih
Rih
5 years ago
Reply to  sevzch

can argue about elina, a LOT people said that it would be way better without the dress and with some more movement and different staging.

James
James
5 years ago

Azerbaijan was underwhelming so its non-qualification was a pleasant shock of a surprise. The song never was a good match with Aisel to begin with, unfortunately. I thought Greece was one of the better performances tonight but I can understand that, with the technical issues it had during their past rehearsals, they weren’t able to create the vision they want to go with in bringing the song to life. A fully Greek-language song in a Eurovision final is sorely needed. Croatia was disappointingly empty. Franka seriously need to have some dancers to replicate that sensual essence we got from her… Read more »

Simon
Simon
5 years ago

I hope we dont have to hate eachother here. We can disagree but with good language :). I love this voting system. Its the most fair for small countries. The bigger maybe hates it but we had your way 1998-2008. This is the most fair whatever someone says. Switzerland must have been number 11. Belarus in the beginning he was shaking. I felt so sorry for him.. Macedonia had the worst performance and the worst outfit. I wonder. Do macedonia want to qualify? I dont think so anymore after tonight. How can you make the worst choices every year. Their… Read more »

Taco
Taco
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

You do realise its also about money? FYR ofMacedonia do not invest the amount of money in their act as other countries are willing to do, or are capable te do.
I think its a shame that they did not qualify because I simply love the song and I love Marijah. She never missed a note during the pre parties, but this time, she was not her usual self, maybe because of nerves.

FrostyW
5 years ago
Reply to  Taco

I think that’s it. FYROM the past couple years has sent some really good songs and then left them hanging on staging. I was hoping that with the pared back music video this year that they’d be able to toss a little more into the staging budget.

It remains on my ESC playlist even past non-qualification. 🙂

WillDoThisLater
WillDoThisLater
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

Especially frustrating for FYR Macedonia when they send such good songs. Based on that camera shot of them looking glum though, they really did want to qualify.

Darren
Darren
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

In my opinion, FYR Macedonia had a good song. The music was catchy BUT Marijah was not suited to it. Her vocal was too diva. She was trying to turn an electro-reggae number into a Mariah Carey song. A relaxed and playful melody needed a relaxed and playful vocalist. The song just wasn’t suited to her.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago

My Review on Semi-Final 1: First of all I want to say that I’ve noticed that the staging made the difference for a lot of entries. No implication in staging cost some favourites’ place in the final, while for other it totally saved their qualification. 1. Azerbaijan – Nice staging, good efforts, a good interpretation live, a quite pleasant surprise. However, the weakness of the song couldn’t be saved, no complexity and the same 4-5 words through the all song. 2. Iceland – Good voice, good artist, however absolutely nothing could have saved not just a dated song, but also… Read more »

lambada
lambada
5 years ago

You may dislike Netta and Toy as much as you want, but the staging was brilliant, perfect. They have listen to each and every critic from pre parties and rehearsals, and the result is spotless.

gili
gili
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

Netta for sure is the best artist in the contest…i think they are not using the dancers good enough..they have also anazing personality but thier shots are to far so they get lost…i hope they will improve this…these are the improvments israel need in order to win cause Netta is once in a life time artist

lambada
lambada
5 years ago
Reply to  gili

In the rehearsals they used dancers more, and were accused of having a crowded staging, full of creepy dancers. This is why they use the bridge more now. And Netta is filmed close now, the camera is focused on her like in the official video. They focus on dancers only when Netta leaves the looper and changes her place on stage. Everything is very practical for the best effect now.

Daaaaaa
Daaaaaa
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

What is so brilliant about the staging? The have a lot of small Japanese cats and 3 dancers who act like 3 monkeys.
Nets is great, she has a great voice and charisma

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

And still Israel is falling in the odds since the rehearsals. For me it’s obvious that this is because the staging, I don’t say I might be wrong. Yes, you’re right, I dislike not Netta (which is a great singer from what I was listening from her) but ‘Toy’ simply because it was a big favourite for a message which is even not suited for our days, not for its music. But I tried to be as objective as possible with all the songs, so I didn’t say that because I dislike it. Israel will most probably get a high… Read more »

Mark
Mark
5 years ago

About your comment on Finland’s performance – she came second in the X-Factor UK, a competition she HAD to sing live, Have you watched her performance on X-Factor Finland, Eurovision Party in Amsterdam and in Lithuania? Watch and then say if she’s not a good at live or not.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  Mark

I’ve heard her first live performance for ‘Monsters’ and I was left with the impression that she won’t do good live. I might have been wrong cause last night she put it right on stage. So yes, at this moment I think you’re right.

SpirK
SpirK
5 years ago

As a greek I’ll make this clear to you cause almost everyone thinks we are snubbing Eleni. Foureira is huge here, one of the best performers in the country and the public has always wanted eleni to represent us. The public broadcaster is the one who kept rejecting her. So she rightfully went with Cyprus. There was a bit of controversy about the photo with Eugent with the Albanian eagle, because it’s sometimes used as a sign for Albanian nationalism, and because she always claims that she feels Greek. Imo none of them wanted to express Albanian nationalism but it… Read more »

Lola
Lola
5 years ago
Reply to  SpirK

can’t a girl feel both Greek and Albanian? why does she have to choose a side?

H@te Portugal
H@te Portugal
5 years ago

I am with you @GiavK! This is the WORST Eurovision! Everything at Portugal scream che@p and ugly! Organisation is terrible. The people… yuck!
Your wish may come true this year! Or ffs, let a wealthier Western European country or Scandinavian country or even Australia host. Any country with a GDP per capita of at least €30,000 or above!!!! Eurovision has been on the down fall since 2016!!

John
5 years ago
Reply to  H@te Portugal

This is the most stupid comment i ve seen lately…
I suppose you are greek, right?

Scandi
Scandi
5 years ago
Reply to  John

Proud Scandinavian 😀

John
5 years ago
Reply to  Scandi

Willbe there saturday, and prefer 1000 times doing the flight London/Lisbon than to any scandinavian capital, thats for sure…

Scandi
Scandi
5 years ago
Reply to  John

Thank god you Brits voted for Brexit! Hopefully won’t be seeing you in the European continent. Don’t worry – you are not welcome! 😀

John
5 years ago
Reply to  Scandi

Go and have some sex, u need it

LED
LED
5 years ago
Reply to  H@te Portugal

God! Yes. A country which can afford LED next year please.

NO LED
NO LED
5 years ago
Reply to  LED

So, everytime a singer / song plays there is the need of using LEDs? Back in the days, music was GREAT and no LEDS were needed… ABBA, for example, is a success and it never had graphics behind them… LEDs only make a BAD SONG turn into a GOOD SONG just because a LED is displayed. You have to FEEL the music.

John
5 years ago
Reply to  LED

And do u think portuguese couldnt afford LED, do u really think that?? Probably they spent more with lightning…

Anthony de France
Anthony de France
5 years ago
Reply to  LED

IMO The fact that there are no LED this year make this authentic and fresh

Geeky Explorer
5 years ago
Reply to  H@te Portugal

What an obnoxious and condescending comment. It was a conscious decision not to pick LEDs, not because of budget, but to use other elements on stage (like one of the most EXPENSIVE lighting equipment ever + AR). Btw, why does every Eurovision need to be a flashy and epilepsy-inducing show? Can’t we change things a bit? Do we really need LEDs to make poor songs look good on stage?

david
david
5 years ago
Reply to  H@te Portugal

I kind of agree; it’s a poor year looking at the songs and the production is cheap; what a boring night last night.

DontFeedTheTroll
DontFeedTheTroll
5 years ago
Reply to  H@te Portugal

Don’t feed the troll. I thought it was easy for anyone to see that H@tePortugal = GiavK = troll.

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago

And davve and Dennis and so many other nicknames

Victoria
Victoria
5 years ago
Reply to  H@te Portugal

Good that wiwiblogs introduced the voting for the post. Can you explain why so much hate?

lambada
lambada
5 years ago

Semi 1 was not so dramatic. Belgium was bad (people could not have patience with her shyness, like they had with Blanche, enough is enough, send a good performer), and Greece was Jamala wanna be (give me a break).
Semi 2 will have more tension – will see if the other 4 with 100% qualification rate (besides Azerbaijan) will fail – Australia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine.

JEFFERSON
JEFFERSON
5 years ago
Reply to  lambada

Australia never fails, EBU helps them through.

Stephanie
Stephanie
5 years ago

I never left any comment here but I read almost everything, so that me décide to share my opinion and I’m reasy to kick some ass. When I saw the announcement of the countries who went through to Saturday’s final I could hardly stop laughing, Let’s start with Austria one of the most irritating songs, it is still a mystery how this went through. Next in line Czech Republic a cheap copy of a song of Jason Derulo nothing more but hey it’s a cute guy let’s vote for him, really? Can somebody explain to me in all honesty how… Read more »

Edgar
Edgar
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Armenia fidn’t go through…calm down

Edgar
Edgar
5 years ago
Reply to  Edgar

Didn’t*

Taco
Taco
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

And that is why you post your opinion? Just to get hate? Poor you…. You won’t get it from me though!
But you should proof read before you post, because its full of mistakes….and you missed Armenia not qualifying 🙂

Zack
Zack
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

How was Finlands vocal bad?

david
david
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

I have the feeling you’re belgian. Well me too, but we have to admit the whole package of Finland and Israël was FAR much better than Belgium. When her song was over, I knew it was dead. Worst staging of the night for sure.

Anthony de France
Anthony de France
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Armenia was not qualified (…) Or maybe in another parallel semi-final …

GiavK
GiavK
5 years ago

Probably the WORst show EVER in latest years.Cheap and ugly stage cheap graphics(instagram graphics are much better) and the results were generally very very bad.
The horrific organization this year makes me wish Sweden win every year!

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  GiavK

The stage was very good and the organization in general looked absolutely decent, at a normal standard. Last year in Ukraine there were a lot of troubles, but this year seems to be an absolutely normal organization.

Simon
Simon
5 years ago
Reply to  GiavK

I feel the exact opposite 🙂 All was good and the results was the best. Sad for Switzerland and Belarus only. The best thing we will NEVER only get televoting again. I know Greece,Armenia,Azerbaijan ONLY wants that but thank god there are more countries in EBU 🙂

Ally
Ally
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

It was good, I prefer this tbh than those LEDS on steroids and epi-attack lights.

DontFeedTheTroll
DontFeedTheTroll
5 years ago
Reply to  GiavK

I guess no one noticed that this guy is trolling. He’s probably a Bulgarian hater, still angry because of second place last year, so he basically feels the need to post all kinds of insults about Portugal in several different posts.

Tom of Taiwan
Tom of Taiwan
5 years ago

I find this a very well reasoned analysis. Well said! Some people are so bitter about Greece and Belgium, but for me I get it. The studio versions of these two songs are both in my top 3 of the whole year, so you’d think I’d be disappointed, but the performances just did not leave an impactful lasting impression. In this bloodbath of a semi — possibly the best ever semi-final in terms of song quality alone — a good song with a mediocre delivery just couldn’t cut it. The Belgian delegation failed to use the stage to their advantage,… Read more »

Maclaren
Maclaren
5 years ago

Guys, I was at the arena yesterday and was so happy to see the crowd cheering for everybody, it was such a great show! On a personal note, I am so delighted for Eugent. I also took a picture with Ieva’s mum. I was queuing for security and next to me there were people with Lithuanian flags. I wished them success and the lady said – actually Ieva is my daughter. And she looked like that lady from the video indeed (beautiful and elegant). Also Ieva’s dad and some other relatives were there, all came to support Ieva. Happy that… Read more »

Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

How bad was the sound when the presenters were speaking! They need to sort that!!

Maclaren
Maclaren
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

This is true. But everything else was amazing. I am also loving Lisbon. I paid only 1.45 euro for my underground trip (vs. 7 pounds I am paying in London for the trip of same duration). People are so friendly and helpful, food is great, weather is nice – I hope somebody will bring Eurovision back to Portugal one day

FrostyW
5 years ago
Reply to  Maclaren

A friend of mine was at Semi 1 and gave a cheer to Sennek when they saw her distraught after the show. <3

Tiago S
Tiago S
5 years ago

Gutted that the best greek song in years was left behind. I hope they don’t give up singing in greek. I just love the sound of the greek language (and Yanna is a stunner, by the way).

Simon
Simon
5 years ago
Reply to  Tiago S

Didnt you notice the backing singers does the most of the singing? She was not good live. Thats the truth and its nothing to be mad about 🙂

Tiago S
Tiago S
5 years ago
Reply to  Simon

That was true indeed. That was the underwhelming part, unfortunately.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  Tiago S

I doubt that the language was the problem. Firstly, it was overrated, it didn’t appeal so well on som many people as many were thinking. And 2nd of all, the staging was unexistent, no implication in that, the result is absolutely normal.

Anthony de France
Anthony de France
5 years ago
Reply to  Tiago S

Not surprised at all by the non-qualification of greece
weak staging ; poor voice ; the emotion from the studio version completely vanished

Bruce Evilis
Bruce Evilis
5 years ago

Odds were crazy yesterday evening.
Now it is clear: Cyprus is a very strong contender for the final victory (I suspect that bookies got the jury and televoters results).
and Bulgaria/Estonia/Czech Republic will not win this year.

After SF2 we will see clearly the challenger (except Big 5 entries which cannot be evaluated properly until the final show).
Only one question: will it be a 3 contenders match (Big 5 entry) or only 2: that’s the question.

I hope Norway, Australia and Sweden to be placed in 2nd half.
Just to see a funny bloodbath 😀

sevzch
sevzch
5 years ago
Reply to  Bruce Evilis

I dont see cyprus winning i see that the juries are gonna rate it simillar to russia 2016….

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
5 years ago

I’m bloody happy that Ireland, Lithuania and Finland made it out alive. During the final minutes of the show I just didn’t care as long as these 3 qualified. They pulled a 2015 when they held out on Israel and Latvia at the last minute. Gosh this SF was a bloodbath with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Greece not making. The next one will be more exciting to watch heh heh

Ally
Ally
5 years ago

Don’t know if anyone still mentioned, but kudos to Saara Aalto performance! Awesome voice, stage presence and experience, she got it all.