He’s won two Eurovision semi-finals — so it’s safe to say he knows what it takes to win Eurovision. And now Eurovision 2009 winner Alexander Rybak is leveraging that knowledge to predict and name his winner for Eurovision 2019. 

In a post on Instagram, the Norwegian with Belarusian roots shared his belief in Russia’s Sergey Lazarev. He wrote in a small post:

“Seryozha, congrats. It’s real art! This time, you will win. Not because ‘Russia’, but because ‘music’.”

Alexander Rybak doesn’t shy from sharing his personal favourites before the contest starts. We all still remember his long-lasting love for Salvador Sobral’s “Amar Pelos Dois”, as well his iconic support for Germany’s Lena all the way back in 2010. Over the past few years he has also shown love for Poli Genova and Loïc Nottet as well.

Last year as a participant he stated that Waylon’s “Outlaw In ‘Em” was his personal favourite, but he did not say that it would be a winner.

Curiously though, wiwiblogger Jack came across Alexander after he had just finished his final performance of “That’s How You Write A Song” in Lisbon.

As Jack was wearing the Israeli flag, Alexander approached him and quickly whispered three words — “Israel will win” — even before Netta had taken the stage.

Before we start calling Alexander Rybak the “Oracle of Oslo”, we should point out that he has probably not been able to predict all the winners correctly — he is human after all. Nevertheless, over the past few years he has had a good eye for spotting a Eurovision winner from a distance.

It is, of course, a bold statement coming from him this early in the season. We wonder whether he has listened to all the songs or only to Sergey’s amongst others. Back in 2016, Alexander was also very positive about Sergey as he stated:

“TELEVOTING WINNER: [Russia CONGRATULATIONS]! As an artist and composer, I think that pleasing millions of hearts is the most important in Eurovision! And Sergey won the most hearts! Although the juries wanted a more modern song this year, nobody can argue that this guy had the best show! The music was typical Eurovision, but that’s why I watch Eurovision! Also, having the richest producer and the most expensive promo campaign and show doesn’t help if you don’t do a great performance. And Sergey’s performance was AMAZING! With a more updated, modern song and some better (please) lyrics, you can definitely win again, both the jury and the people!”

Maybe the Dream Team has given him those better lyrics now?

With the Netherlands being the bookmakers’ favourite and Russia being only a hinge behind, we wonder if Eurovision 2019 will be a two-horse race again. And will that mean that a previously unexpected third act will eventually win like in 2016? For those who don’t believe in oracles or fortune tellers, we will only know on the 18th of May.

Do you agree with Alexander Rybak’s small prediction? Or do you think he is speaking too soon? Let us know in the comments below!

Read all our latest Russia news here

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AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

“Scream” is a powerful ballad and we all know what a performer Sergey is! It’s clearly made for a live presentation and I’m sure the performance will be amazing! But I don’t think it will win.

MaggieMayhem
MaggieMayhem
5 years ago

Hmmmmm nah, I think the Netherlands will win the battle of the ballads. I definitely don’t dislike scream and I think it should have a top 15 finish. I like how the song is very theatrical and not radio friendly, which is different and stands out. The problem is that I cannot connect with it. With the Netherland’s song, I feel very moved and sad, and unfortunately I don’t feel any emotion with Scream. I think this is mainly because not even Sergey is emotionally invested in the song. He did not write any part of it, and you can… Read more »

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

keep sayin it out loud maybe you’ll convince…..hope cuz u won’t be convincin anyone else so dream on, 2009 fad alexander rybak.

buranovskayagirl
buranovskayagirl
5 years ago

I low key want it to happen to see the meltdown of the haters & Arcade fans :)))))) Wont happen in reality unfortunately. YATOO was the year :(((((

Nevena Winning Forever
Nevena Winning Forever
5 years ago

Loool well he is WRONG! We all know that Nevena is taking the trophy home for SERBIA! Fact.

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
5 years ago

Lmao, that’d be funny, but nope. The trophy is between The Netherlands, Cyprus, Italy, Iceland or Portugal.

buranovskayagirl
buranovskayagirl
5 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

lol Iceland yeah yeah

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

portugal ? switzerland if anything

ESCfan
ESCfan
5 years ago

You and people like you are just haters. And haters will hate as always.

Xu Quan
Xu Quan
5 years ago

Wow, again Russia. Someone here really likes Russia

ESCfan
ESCfan
5 years ago
Reply to  Xu Quan

And someone really hates.

Peter
Peter
5 years ago

Let’s first see if Sergey can sing some of his lyrics like “swallow hard” neutrally …. And there are more homo-erotic references in “Steam” that made me frown.

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
5 years ago
Reply to  Peter

Lmao, how nasty….lol

pama
pama
5 years ago

That Rybak guy really looks like Michael Jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
5 years ago
Reply to  pama

Ok, we get it, and he also looks like Salvador and Conan Osiris, and also other “creepy” looking guys.

Kevin
Kevin
5 years ago

As much as I like the song and Sergey as a performer.. it ain’t happening! This product is not winning material.

Roger Rabbit
Roger Rabbit
5 years ago

I dont see Rusia wining this year .and first must qualify in the second half final what I think go to be dificult for Rusia.

aroncido
aroncido
5 years ago
Reply to  Roger Rabbit

Russia always qualifies. Literally. Last year was the one exception, but that performance was just so embarrassing that it overcame the massive bloc voting advantages Russia has.

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

Yeah, Rybak is Belarussian, what else is he supposed to say…? C’mon, I don’t even know how Russia is 2nd in the bookies! “Scream” isn’t bad at all, but just average and Sergey’s performances are too over the top in terms of staging and faking emotions. Their performances feel to fake and artificial for me. I’m sure Russia will qualify and would even place top 5-10. It’s Russia with Sergey after all. But winning? No, I hope Europe and the EBU don’t go to such low depths…

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Totally agree.

Iejdhcr
Iejdhcr
5 years ago

I dunno, I wouldn’t count out the possibility of Sergey flying on stage, I’m sure Russia will spend lats of money on staging. 😀

yodenman
yodenman
5 years ago

I still cannot get my head around the winner last year. I want to like it but it still leaves me cold. It got incredibly overhyped and just like the story of the Emperors New Clothes people were sucked in by the hysteria and didn’t bother to step back and actually realise what a musical shambles it really is. All the talk about Israel wanting to ban Iceland does not help either. They must incur the wrath of the EBU surely. If a countries media can prevent an artist from performing then we are going down a slippery slope.

MyVision
MyVision
5 years ago

I think it’s about time that Wiwi reveal their Russian sponsor for the sake of transparency and credibility. I mean since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wiwi has been constantly running anti-Ukrainian narrative articles discredit their selection, their hosting, taking things out of context and spinning it around like the average Kremlin-sponsored internet troll. In the meantime we have been force fed stories promoting the Russian entries unproportionally, random stories about Kirkorov’s team and Russian artists that were in ESC but not directly ESC-related, pity stories about Samoylova. Could it even be that Kirkorov’s team is a sponsor? It would explain… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

You are acting like Wiwibloggs is a FTSE 100 company. It’s only an ESC platform and a BLOG, for goodness sake! There are many much bigger companies and political bodies based in the UK that have Russian donors, and that was recently revealed as a fact, so why don’t you go target them instead? Or, better yet, start your own ESC platform. If you do so, I of course would expect full transparency from your funding sources.

NickC
NickC
5 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

That was very funny Purple Mask (FTSE 100 company)

Kris
Kris
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

Dont think wiwi have any anti Ukrainian agenda, Mélovin recived a pretty nice treatment last year from this blog.

But their ‘love’ for Russia and endless promotion of Kirkorov’ dream team is annoying, is it genuinely? I don’t know, but it looks not very fair for me…

BlackKava
BlackKava
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

Lol dont be dramatic, they really love Kirkorov’ cheesey dream team and Sergey and will hype them no matter what, i find it histerical 😛

BlackKava
BlackKava
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

Wiwi are not Putin KGB agents they just have thirst for Sergey … lmao!

Iejdhcr
Iejdhcr
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

Wiwi posts about lots of artists, last year they posted a lot about Netta and Cyprus and Rybak and tons of other attists, does it automatiacally mean that they are biased? Well maybe they are, who knows, but why does it only bother you when they write about Russia?

Nick
Nick
5 years ago
Reply to  Iejdhcr

well, to be honest they write about Russia a lot, much more than about anyone else,they hype Sergey on twitter as well, they’re obviously biased, but i don’t think it has something with money though…. they just appreciated Sergey’ big … talent lol

Iejdhcr
Iejdhcr
5 years ago
Reply to  Nick

Maybe ;), or maybe they know that as a returning artist and an artist from Russia he’s controversial and people will talk about him on their social media and leave lots of comments, and that’s what every platform wants, isn’t it?

its me
its me
5 years ago
Reply to  Iejdhcr

Lol, paranoia

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

As Ukrainian a can say that Wiwibloggs clearly follow pro-russian rhetoric and use their propaganda cliches in articles about Ukraine

MaggieMayhem
MaggieMayhem
5 years ago
Reply to  MyVision

LOL, the founder & editor-in-chief of Wiwibloggs is American and I’m 99.9% sure that he FEELS THE BERN! I doubt that this is true.

Pok
Pok
5 years ago

I hope Sergay will end up like him in the final. Not even top 10.

Loin dici
Loin dici
5 years ago

“Is Sergey his only one?”
Renske, you did NOT do that! 😀

AMonsterLikeMe
AMonsterLikeMe
5 years ago

Dare to dream. That would be the most boring and dull winner since 2011.

Nicolas
Nicolas
5 years ago
Reply to  AMonsterLikeMe

Just a recovery from the chicken of last year.

Valentino
Valentino
5 years ago

A two-horse race between 2 ballads, and then an upbeat song win it all…

Pavel
Pavel
5 years ago
Reply to  Valentino

an upbeat Hatari song

Ahmad
Ahmad
5 years ago

I predict it’s The Natherlands

James
James
5 years ago

I remember last year, everyone was hoping and praying Netta weren’t the winner, but she did it. When someone is eagerly trying to convince others with such big hate that this singer will not win, I think, he/she realizes that the contestant really has a big chance to win. If Sergey was just ignored or nobody felt any excitement over him, it would be completely another case. However, Sergey gains all your attention no matter what kind of attention it is.

mark dowd
mark dowd
5 years ago
Reply to  James

Sergey as “Netta”??? Wow….an interesting view of the world!!

Jon Hola Sand
5 years ago
Reply to  James

Just because wiwi posts an article about Sergey every day,does not mean there is a lot of excitement from the fans

Pavel
Pavel
5 years ago
Reply to  James

who knows, maybe 20 years after we’ll uncover some dark ESC secrets a-la FIFA

oli
oli
5 years ago

This will be around 15th place if it were not be Russia. The song is terribly outdated and out of place in a year with so many good, modern and current songs.

mandarinaitsme
mandarinaitsme
5 years ago

SERGEY LAZAREV is my winner totally this year, just like it was back in 2016. From the first time I listened to the song I feel goosebumps all over my body, it is so strong, powerful, inspiring, heartbreaking! And the video they made, the whole Idea of it relates to this year’s slogan Dare to a dream! I can’t stop listening to the song over and over again, I think this is totally a WINNER. good luck, Russia. Sergey Lazarev is extremely talented deserving winner. Moscow 2020

NickC
NickC
5 years ago

And I predict it will share the same fate with Alexander, winning the semi final and totally flopping in the final.

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
5 years ago
Reply to  NickC

The Netherlands have 2nd semi in the bag.

Idksmth
Idksmth
5 years ago
Reply to  pastel de nata

Don’t agree, many countries are in the running to win sf 2, but lets be positive and hope for a Rybak (aka semi final winner, but a final flop) result for Sergey.

Dave
Dave
5 years ago

I hope not. Period

Steven
Steven
5 years ago

Israel has the superior ballad this year! No chance for Russia.

Euoiio
Euoiio
5 years ago

Just found out that Duncan hired that awful director Hans Pannecouke or how his name is… ? He destroyed Belgium and Netherlands last year
Sergey will win I guess, that was stupid, Duncan.

Loin dici
Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Euoiio

Not Netherlands, I concur, that one stood out pretty well–quite surprising from Pannecoucke. What’s more surpising is that he created Common Linnets’ staging in 2014 and coworked in Belgium’s back in 2016. I can trust him more now, those were great stagings.

good luck
good luck
5 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

He created staging for Manel Navarro in 2017 and was good staging, but had one mistake : never start with the back at the audience (like Anne Sophie in 2015)

pastel de nata
pastel de nata
5 years ago
Reply to  good luck

Iceland 2018 also started with back for the audience but it was actually nice. The song had no salvation any way.

Euronerd
Euronerd
5 years ago
Reply to  Euoiio

But Ilse deLange is also involved, and she was also involved in 2014 so that gave me hope. She also stated that the staging is beautiful. Let’s hope it is true!

Stian F
Stian F
5 years ago

Rybak is like “best friends” with Kirkorov so of course he will be on his side and cheer for Russia this year. He obviously know Sergey a bit from before as well. Its a friend supporting and wanting success of another friend. That said, he might actually genuinely like the Russian song as well.

Shanfa Chai
Shanfa Chai
5 years ago

I’d rather have Romania as the winner to be honest.

Mako
Mako
5 years ago

Rybak better close his mouth.

Nick
Nick
5 years ago

Sorry Sergey, but Dutch merman Duncan has better song than yours and at least 8 more artists as well…

Marseille
Marseille
5 years ago

Name a more iconic Eurovision duo, I’ll wait.

R
R
5 years ago
Reply to  Marseille

Copyright Couple

Loin dici
Loin dici
5 years ago
Reply to  Marseille

Sergey and Douwe Bob?

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Marseille

Serhat & Valentina.

Dalth
Dalth
5 years ago

Real art seriously has he heard the lyrics in Sergeys song, but this is coming from a man who’s entire back catalogue sounds like something you would hear in a really bad Disney film.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

I know that writing anything positive about Russia is not usually received well here but yes, of course this has a strong possibility of winning. Sergey is going to have a strong televote and his song has many more jury-pleasing elements compared to his 2016 entry. There are other obvious contenders this year but to dismiss Russia would be a mistake.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Yeah, despite all the jokes, I still genuinly love the song and think it’ll do extremely well.

Maggie
Maggie
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I totally agree! There is quite a bunch of countries that are totally ready to vote for russia and with the help of the jury, it could win! At the moment it wouldn’t be fair to me cus I think there are better songs, but if sergey’s staging will be good ( and it will for sure I think) , i wouldn’t be surprised if he actually wins.

Maclaren
Maclaren
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Same here, like the song and Sergey and can’t wait for the staging. But with all the hate around the song and, you know… politics…, I feel like I am performing some kind of coming out with this statement. I might be having a questionable taste but nobody should be stoned for voicing a different opinion on music matters.

Jon Hola Sand
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Yes but no one wants the corrupt bullies of Eurovision to win

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Well yes but at this stage Anybody can win. And we already have like 10 or so favourites. So no Russia shouldn’t be dismissed. But neither should Sweden, Italy, France or Netherlands. Or Anybody else.

Euro
Euro
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Thank you. They’re my thoughts as well. I really, really like this song. For me is epic, like soundtrack to LOTR or something. I hope this will do well and people will like this song as much as I do

Iejdhcr
Iejdhcr
5 years ago
Reply to  Euro

That’s a good comparison actually

Pavel
Pavel
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

– what it deserves: the same result Gabriela Guncikova had with “I Stand”
– what it will get: a clear victory a-la Dima Bilan’2008 with some suspicion

mark dowd
mark dowd
5 years ago

I admire Alexander’s ESC pedigree, but after the flop last year in the final, he is not on secure ground!! Every neutral fan of ESC and music knows that the Netherlands have a VASTLY superior musical product. “Scream” was written in the “painting by numbers, Disney lookalike factory”, whereas “Arcade” comes from the heart of a guy who is writing from the depths. One of these song gives goose bumps, the other doesn’t. Look at the markets…..It’s gonna be the first win since 1975 for Les Pays-Bas!

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  mark dowd

The thing is it’s not about having superior musical product, its about having the package. Netherlands might have a better song but will he have the best presentation?
As you know in ESC it’s the presentation that wins, less the song.

mark dowd
mark dowd
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

It’s actual the chemical reaction between the two and the artist’s ability to connect and sell the song. That the Netherlands is out in front musically is, I think, pretty plain to see. Sergey could make it up on staging, but I doubt he will do better than 2016 on that front and that was only third…….I still think it is the Netherlands’ to lose….

Pavel
Pavel
5 years ago
Reply to  mark dowd

“Arcade” is a Coldplay B-Side.
“Scream” is a Festival Da Canção 3rd place kind of ballad.

Mirko
Mirko
5 years ago

“Not because Russia, but because Russia”
That’s how you write a post!

Nikita
Nikita
5 years ago

So many haters. I want to see you all in May when Russia will be announced as the winner. No competition here. Duncan can’t sing and noone likes Hateri.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Nikita

If Duncan and Hatari were no competition for Sergey, you wouldn’t have to write these kind of comments in the first place, don’t you think? 🙂

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Nikita

Dare to dream.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago
Reply to  Nikita

You forgot about Serhat…

Yossarian
Yossarian
5 years ago
Reply to  Nikita

I like Hatari. :-p

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago

I agree! The song is too good for Eurovision

Tim
Tim
5 years ago

Sorry Rybak, Rusdia are not gonna win ESC. Amsterdam or Sweden 2020

Cesar's salad
Cesar's salad
5 years ago
Reply to  Tim

St. Gallen 2020

R
R
5 years ago
Reply to  Tim

[slash]Istambul[/slash] Cittá di San Marino 2020

James
James
5 years ago

Of course, he did a song for Disney (Thats how you write a song) and Sergey joins to hum with Scream

brennan
brennan
5 years ago

sure, jan

KYLLITO
KYLLITO
5 years ago

This song gives me Il Volo Grande Amore vibes. The problems is Grande Amore is better than Scream. Maybe staging will help which we know Russian knows how to do (unless it’s like 2018’s brown turd mountain). Good luck from Texas!

Jon Hola Sand
5 years ago
Reply to  KYLLITO

No surprises USA supporting Russia

Pok
Pok
5 years ago
Reply to  KYLLITO

Probably a Trump supporter.

Ugna
Ugna
5 years ago

Yeah he also thought ‘that‘s how you write a song’ was a good choice

Stephanie
Stephanie
5 years ago

Russia for the win? Sure and pigs can fly…Come on…

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

*Duncan Laurence has entered the chat*

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

“Competing with me is a losing game.”

Tasha
Tasha
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

omg! this is brilliant! lmao!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

It doesn’t matter who wins, hate will prevail in the fandom anyway.

Bruno
Bruno
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Did he spill the beans about his boyfriend he was talking about recently? 😛

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
5 years ago

I like Sergey (and feel sorry he has to live in the closet) but Russia is too toxic country … i hope they will not win, Putin will use it to his ugly agenda

VlaD
VlaD
5 years ago
Reply to  MikolasFan

What a pathetic comment.
What has his personal life have to do with Eurovision

Ugna
Ugna
5 years ago
Reply to  MikolasFan

Have I missed something about him being in the closet lmaoo

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Ugna

There’s been quite the tea about Sergey’s sexuality (and I get it), but no one has any proof whatsoever, so I feel like we should just let the poor man be. IF he’s gay and won’t talk about it, it’s our duty to respect his private life. And it’s certainly no one’s business either, especially in Sergey’s problematic position.

Jon Hola Sand
5 years ago
Reply to  Ugna

He wouldn’t be allowed to come out anyway as Russian society denies homosexuality exists

Pok
Pok
5 years ago
Reply to  MikolasFan

Russia just uses him to show how kind they are towards LGBTs. But the reality is he can’t even come out and be who he is.

jack
jack
5 years ago

the first pictures says a lot about alexanders intentions with sergey 😉

P.S i am waiting for a video made by William and Deban with tea regarding artists, any relationships that have been formed over the years, any feuds behind the scenes, staff that we dont get to know! PLEAASE DO ITT <3

Kevin
Kevin
5 years ago

@DEBAN

You promote too much Sergey
Just today you posted on Instagram how popular he is on Itunes and Youtube (on Itunes he is 5th and on Youtube he is far behind)
I see also in the comments everywhere that he is not very popular

So if you 2 want a boyfriend, I’m sorry but Sergey already has one

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

“[…] Not because ‘Russia’, but because ‘music’.”

done.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

oh and: “With a more updated, modern song and some better (please) lyrics, you can definitely win again, both the jury and the people!”

Who’s is Rybak to judge the lyrics in someone else’s song? His songs always sound childish.

Euoiio
Euoiio
5 years ago

Hope EBU will have juries sabotaging Russia… We cant have a contest in Russia atm.

Iejdhcr
Iejdhcr
5 years ago
Reply to  Euoiio

I’m sure they will, don’t worry about it

DripDrop
DripDrop
5 years ago
Reply to  Euoiio

Do you seriously want the juries to be biased and unfair? I also dont support Putin of course but since Russia is allowed to compete, Sergey should be treated fairly and if he has the best performance, he should win!

Pastel de nata
Pastel de nata
5 years ago
Reply to  DripDrop

The juries are always biased one way or another, they have their own agendas.

aroncido
aroncido
5 years ago
Reply to  Pastel de nata

And let’s not even talk about the televote, which will automatically give Russia top 10 even if they don’t perform.