Lithuania Heat 3 Criminal Jurijus Veklenko

Fans are still waiting for heat two. But that hasn’t stopped Lithuania’s LRT from going ahead and recording the third round of its Eurovizijos Atranka selection show, which saw the number of competing entries swell to 53 on Monday.

Thirteen acts performed for the jury, including fan favourite Monika Marija and Eurovision 2001 singer Erica Jennings. However, both were pipped to the top spot by Jurijus Veklenko. Performing the yet to be released “Run With The Lions”, the former Voice of Lithuania contestant secured a maximum 12 points from the judges.

Just behind was fellow Voice alum, Monika Marija. She sang “Criminal”, the first of her two entries. It’s easily one of the most talked about songs in this year’s bunch. Yet despite the buzz, Monika must make do with 10 points.

Fans are already speculating that her Swedish songwriting team may prove to be a thorn in her side. However, Donny Montell and the Swedish-penned “Waiting For This Night” lost his first heat in 2016. He went on to give Lithuania its second highest Eurovision result ever.

There was a two way tie for third with both Cheri and husband wife duo Jurgis DID & Erica Jennings scooping 8 points.

Lithuania’s Eurovizijos Atranka 2019 Heat 3 Jury Scores

12 points – Jurijus

10 points – Monika Marija

8 points – Cheri and Jurgis DID & Erica Jennings

6 points – Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys

5 points – Jurgis Brūzga

4 points – Dagna

3 points – Sofija Eitutytė

2 points – Voldemars Petersons and Kali

The expert panel had no love for Laimingu būti lengva, La Forza or 120, awarding nil points to all three acts.

Heat 3 is scheduled for a 26 January broadcast. Meanwhile, viewers can catch the second heat this Saturday, 16 January.

Featured Photo: LRT

Are you following the Lithuanian selection? Are you shocked that “Criminal” didn’t come first? Let us know in the comments.

Follow all of our Lithuania Eurovision 2019 news.

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Jurijus
Jurijus
5 years ago
Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

I think Light On is better than Criminal, way better actually…

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago

If i were an artist in Romania,Belarus or Lithuania i would alwyays be worried about wildcards and changing of the rules in the middle of the selection. Everything can happen. Their broadcasters should stop with that i think.

ESC JOSH
ESC JOSH
5 years ago

i love the web, people need to learn to let a little bit of art into their lives

Idksmth
Idksmth
5 years ago

No worries, I think, given that Lithuanians are not stupid, and they see how hyped (and deservedly) Monika Marija is, so I think she is their act, but I am not sure about the song (my hope is Criminal). Also she got to the final of the Voice in there, maybe even won, so the televote will be there to vote and she got 4th with that terrible song last year.

Aisha
Aisha
5 years ago
Reply to  Idksmth

Yup, she won the Voice of Lithuania and she actually was in Donny Montels team 😉 Her fanbase is pretty solid I think

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago

If “Criminal” does not win the selection, we would all be criminals 😉

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Considering how juries tend to change opinions through the episodes and how small the televoting audience is until the final, qualifying from these useless heats is more of a metter of luck.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

I thought Erica wouldn’t do this anymore.

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

They always say . Remember Iceland in 2007. He wrote songs after that ;-). He said never again to .

Colin
Colin
5 years ago

Calm down. ”Only” second in a heat jury vote doesn’t mean much in Lithuanian standards. She may still win the televote and even if not, she will get through to the next level. As proven, Lithuanian points can shift more than in some other countries. Also, she has another song. Monika winning is still a big option.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Also, throw in the fact that Lithuania just LOVES dishing out wildcards to televote-supported acts, there is no need to worry about Monika at all. 😉