They’re the Eurovision power player who suffered a shock non-qualification in Lisbon. Now Russia is reportedly looking to make a big comeback. Eurovision 2016 televote winner Sergey Lazarev is said to be under consideration as Russia’s act for Tel Aviv.

Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda reports that the Russian act for Eurovision 2019 will be announced on 1 February. The act will reportedly be announced on Andrey Malakhov‘s show on Russia One.

However, while Sergey Lazarev is rumoured to be under consideration, the newspaper reports that Russia act for Tel Aviv has not yet been decided. Other candidates are also said to be in the running.

Sergey Lazarev at the Eurovision Song Contest

One of Russia’s leading performers, Sergey Lazarev represented Russia at Eurovision 2016. His song “You Are the Only One” established itself as a fan favourite and was also a favourite to win the overall competition.

However in Stockholm, while Russia topped the televote with 361 points, the juries of Europe were less enthusiastic. Russia placed fifth in the jury vote with 130 points. Overall, it resulted in a third-place finish, behind Ukraine and Australia.

Since then, many fans have called for Sergey to make a Eurovision comeback. Some cite the case of Sergey’s colleague Dima Bilan who placed second at 2006 Eurovision, then came back two years later and gave Russia its first (and to date only) Eurovision victory.

Are the “Dream Team” involved?

Back in September, the so-called “Dream Team” revealed that they were working on a new project. The “Dream Team” is a creative collective including Russian Eurovision maestro Philipp Kirkorov, Greek songwriter Dimitris Kontopoulos, and Greek choreographer Fokas Evagelinos.

While the “Dream Team” was behind Sergey Lazarev’s Eurovision 2016 entry, it’s not clear if they will again be teaming up with him.

In December, members of the “Dream Team” were reported to have met with Russian singer Aleksandr Panayotov, who had previously made clear his wish to represent his country at Eurovision.

There’s also the possibility that the “Dream Team” will be working with an act from another country, as they did with Modova’s DoReDos in 2018, or potentially multiple countries at once.

But at this stage, it’s all speculation. We’ll know more when the announcement is made in two weeks time on 1 February.

What do you think? Should Russia send Sergey Lazarev to Eurovision 2019? Or should someone else get a turn? Let us know in the comments section below!

Read more Russia Eurovision news here

Comments on this post are now closed.

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Mirko
Mirko
5 years ago

Russia is right now first in all Eurovision’s poll; bookmakers are really considering it as one of the possible winner of this year’s contest. Most of the time I don’t like russian attitude and how they work, but this is something personal and anyway they just proof that they want to win and that they are ready to put all the money they have to achieve the result. 2019 is gonna change a lot of things, especially for the voting system: last two year’s, without Russia in the grand final, a lot of points had easily change their normal way;… Read more »

Sarah Boucher
Sarah Boucher
5 years ago

Trump wants the tolmachevys again!

Esc
Esc
5 years ago

Nyusha for Eurovision!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

I don’t mind if he wants to do it again, just don’t be a whiner if you lose.

PP77
PP77
5 years ago

Dream team of composers without any victory so far at Eurovision.

EmilyG
EmilyG
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

they won in 2016

Roland
Roland
5 years ago

Wouldn’t exactly call 2018 a ‘shock non-qualification’. It was absolutely to be expected.

ESC JOSH
ESC JOSH
5 years ago

I want something different.. especially in Russian

Peter KDVF
Peter KDVF
5 years ago

No Sergey please!? If he returned,he would end up what happened to Sakis Rouvas (also finished 3rd in first attempt) in 10 years ago. And also no more”Dream Team”, their results have declined recently, from 2nd in 2008 and 2013 , to 3rd in 2016, and now I 10th in 2018. If they do so, they would be out of top 10 (I even predicted Russia 23rd in grand final under the situation). Now the broadcaster has 3 choices if they want to be successful or gain their second victory in Tel Aviv .First,Kirkorov’s team out and replaced by other… Read more »

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  Peter KDVF

In 2016 Russia won the viewers vote with more points than anyone other and this is a better result than 2013.
Moreover there is no other team that has so many amazing results in a decade and with different countries.
2008 2nd place
2013 2nd place
2014 7th place (with Russia being in the most difficult political situation ever)
2016 3rd (first in the viewers vote)
2018 10th

Sarah Boucher
Sarah Boucher
5 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

Yulia Samoylova failed to Qualify.

Michael
Michael
5 years ago

Who are the other people being considered? Why is it that this article went from “Russia’s going to announce their singer on February 1” to an article entirely about Lazarev? You said it yourself that he wasn’t finalized, so why is the article basically entirely about him? To answer the question, no, I would not want him to come back. 3rd place is a perfectly good position and he didn’t really deserve it.

Matthew
Matthew
5 years ago

I don’t think he’d be in a great position to win necessarily, but I’m warming to the idea of Lazarev returning.

Jan
Jan
5 years ago

He was ROBBED in 2016

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Jan

Maybe on the streets, but definitely not on the stage.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

First of all, no, there was no shock in Lisbon. I mean, there was. The performance. But certainly not the non-qualification. There was suffering, but that wasn’t limited to Russia, it was generally painful to watch. Secondly, not this again. Another round of unbearable hyping and fangirling. He could literally sing anything, as long as they have some shiny props on stage. Can he at least have a good song by someone other than Russia’s Ralph Siegel? Having said that, I must be honest and apply my own standards here as well: As far as I am concerned, he is… Read more »

omg
omg
5 years ago

You go all around and contradict yourself. I have absolutely nothing against “Russian Ralph Siegel” Kirkorov, that is Bulgarian, btw
Bring another “Shady Lady”, this time “Shady Man” can be the ultimate bomb, better than “Fuego”.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

Thinking the televote winner should be the real winner despite me totally disliking the act is not contradicting myself. Any half-functioning brain could grasp that logic.

filipko54
filipko54
5 years ago

they suffered a SHOCKING non-qualification in Lisbon? Oh come on..

parapapa
parapapa
5 years ago
Reply to  filipko54

Well for me, it was. Not because of the song, but I personally thought that Russia would always qualify for the final no matter what they send because it’s Russia. But I see now that I was wrong. Well, if Russia could be eliminated, I would love to see Ukraine and Australia finally being eliminated in semi final.

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago

Oh no, please no overhyped stage show with climbing on projection walls again… Be more creative! I beg you!

omg
omg
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCFan2009

What can be more creative than a technology that people don’t understand even now in 2019?

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

An original song.

omg
omg
5 years ago

Just give an example of an original song. Everything is like : boy /girl band, dated 80’s 90’s 00’s, or my favorite accusation : JOKE ACT. Give everybody a break, how many songs can be created brand new?

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

Toy. Occidentali’s Karma. I Feed You My Love. Euphoria. Satellite.

omg
omg
5 years ago

At least you have not named that silly Amar pelos dois. And that Kate Bush wanna be and also one hit wonder useless bald woman is the most ridiculous.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

I don’t even know who you are referring to but it doesn’t matter since you so clearly ran out of arguments. 🙂

omg
omg
5 years ago

You know very well who I’m talking about.

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

TOY original song????????????????????????????????????????? A TRASH OUTDATED pop song ORIGINAL just because of her weird sounds?????

Don Juan
Don Juan
5 years ago

Euphoria is the most generic pop performance to have won in recent memory. Not that it isn’t good but it was hardly original and even the staging didn’t add new elements to a generic performance like with heroes.

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

1944. Amar Pelos Dois. Origo. L’essenziale. Mall. Rhythm Inside. Kedvesem. Grande Amore. Calm After The Storm. La Forza. Viszlat Nyar. Quédate conmigo. Mercy. Nije Ljubav Stvar. We Are Slavic.

BiAlex
BiAlex
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

I think they were being sarcastic.

parapapa
parapapa
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCFan2009

That’s the main reason why I don’t like Led screens on stage.

coca_cola
coca_cola
5 years ago

I would LOVE to see him back on ESC stage!

Rvision
Rvision
5 years ago
Reply to  coca_cola

A positiv comment!!!?????

EmilyG
EmilyG
5 years ago

Russia and Italy are the only two countries that are trying hard almost every year and i respect them for that. Why isn’t the UK following their example?
As for Lazarev he was stolen the trophy in 2016 and this has nothing to do with liking or not liking his song.

ESCNils
ESCNils
5 years ago
Reply to  EmilyG

As an Italian I can tell you we aren’t trying to win AT ALL.
Our representatives don’t even know what they are doing or what really Eurovision is. Then the results come because we always send quality, but judging on singers we don’t deserve to win if they go on like that

omg
omg
5 years ago
Reply to  ESCNils

Oh please, can all countries stop pretending they don’t want to win?

BiAlex
BiAlex
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

Spain definitely don’t

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  omg

RAI want to win, but they aren’t putting much effort to do it. We do well because of Sanremo.

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago

Lazarev was 5th with the juries in 2016 and not 6th
The channel that is broadcasting the show of Andrey Malahov is “RUSSIA 1” and NOT “Channel One”

Popyy
Popyy
5 years ago

No Sergey please. Jury will never like his voice. He won televote because of that amazing staging but not for the song and vocals. Russia should give us another big name with big vocals. The most imortant thing is NOT ANOTHET DREAM TEAM CLICHE.

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  Popyy

Lazarev is the only MEGA star in Russia that has the skills (voice and staging) to participate and in 2016 he lost only for political reasons

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Popyy

His vocals are fine.

Esc84
Esc84
5 years ago

If they have gd song, why not?

Dorian
Dorian
5 years ago

I want sergey in eurovision this year.
Sergey! You hear me!:)

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Just imagine my delight. A big ol’ LED tight-choreo behemoth like in 2016. My favorite.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
5 years ago

Personally I think it’s a bit too early for Sergey to return to Eurovision. I’m hoping for a big and exciting name nonetheless.

Loin dici
5 years ago

Hm. Another article about Sergey Lazarev.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
5 years ago

Sergey already went to esc and Dima robbed Kalomira the win in 2008, I don’t want a repeat of that. Also he finished third last time he represented Russia. He does not need to do it again. I have nothing against returnees but, only if their results the first time around weren’t as good. (Example: Poli Genova DNQ in 2011. 4th in 2016)

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Its Karolina aka Ani Lorak not Kalomira lol
but yeah i agree with you

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

K, I’m just gonna say it: Believe is the worst song to ever win Eurovision, hands down. What a try-hard, oversung, too-busy, cliched mess. 2008 wasn’t a great year, and I’ll give Russia credit for putting in effort when a lot of other countries weren’t, but that song is a turd and a half. Worst thing Timbaland’s ever been involved in. Portugal, Turkey, and Ukraine would’ve all been better winners.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Norway should have won. The only good entry to make it into the top 5 that year. The worst thing for me was his fake American accent when he couldn’t even speak English properly. Like, not a single sentence.

Datme
Datme
5 years ago

What accent do you suggest for him to sing in then?

Fiore
Fiore
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

I did not like Dima Bilan’s winning entry too. But Kalomira wasn’t any better either. That performance was really bad. I love the song in studio version. I think that Ukraine should win in 2008.

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  Liam Lindsay

Bilan robbed Kalomoira????????????????????????? I am Russian but in 2008 if someone else should have won this is UKRAINE

Oh I've been waiting for this Russian Fla-la-lag
Oh I've been waiting for this Russian Fla-la-lag
5 years ago

Manizha or #2Mashi please

BlackKava
BlackKava
5 years ago

Oh god Kirkorov again? That annoying dude who adores bloody Putin and cant stay away from ESC even a single year. . .ugh!

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago

again Kirkorov?, that annoying dude who loves wearing t -shirts with Vladimir Putin’s ugly mug on it…ugh!
Sergey, please stay away of this mess , you’re already a legend, don’t come back…

OohHoney
OohHoney
5 years ago

Please god no dream team. We’re trying to move out of the cheesy pop era.

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  OohHoney

Who is trying to move out of the cheesy pop era????? Certainly not Eurovision if you see the 2018 results: two cheesy old fashion pop songs came first and second

EmilyG
EmilyG
5 years ago
Reply to  VlaD

@VlaD hahaha well said.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
5 years ago

Russian media always makes rumours like these and most of them always turned out false. I’m over it–

Bruno
Bruno
5 years ago

I love Sergey, his third place was fair and deserved, but i doubt he will win if he returns, stay classy and wise dear/ never come back to Eurovision after finished on top 3 you could end up in top 3 from the bottom …

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
5 years ago
Reply to  Bruno

Unless your name is Dima Bilan or Helena Paparizou.

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

yeah,but mostly returning artists are flopping hard …and voting system is very changed since then,

gosh Bilan was the worst winner ever…how it even happened? lol

PP77
PP77
5 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

They won in era with 100% televote. With 50% juries in that time I think they would t be the winner. Malta would be the winner of 2005 , Israel 2 nd, Romania 3 rd, Greece 4 th,…and I think Ukraine would be the winner of 2008, Norway 2nf, Russia 3rd, Serbia 4th…

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

Even if so, they’d still be in top 5, which is a pretty satisfying result. I don’t have any specific feelings towards Sergey, i just think he’d probably come top 10 again.

Stephen Muckle
Stephen Muckle
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

Ukraine won the backup jury vote in 2008

Seán
Seán
5 years ago
Reply to  Stephen Muckle

Where did you get this information?!!
I’d love to see the back-up jury results from the 100% televote era!!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Bruno

It’s Sergey + Russia, not gonna be below 10th.