The wait is over.
The EBU has announced the running order for the two semi-finals of Eurovision 2019.
Cyprus and Armenia will open the shows, while San Marino and Azerbaijan will close.
Eurovision 2019 Semi-Finals Running Order
Semi-Final 1
-
Cyprus
-
Montenegro
-
Finland
-
Poland
-
Slovenia
-
Czech Republic
-
Hungary
-
Belarus
-
Serbia
-
Belgium
-
Georgia
-
Australia
-
Iceland
-
Estonia
-
Portugal
-
Greece
-
San Marino
As in years gone by, producers have gone for an upbeat song to open the show and Tamta is likely to kick things off with a bang. She’s followed by Montengro’s D Mol, who may have a rather harder time qualifying from the death-slot in second.
The rest of the first-half sees efforts to find balance between tempo. Finland follows Montenegro, Czech Republic performs between Slovenia and Hungary, while Belarus precedes Serbia’s “Kruna’.
Belgium and Australia are both on early in the second-half, while fan favourites Iceland and Portugal sandwich Estonia.
Greece has the penultimate spot in the running order and in an unexpected turn of events San Marino has the pimp slot. Both draws could be good news as Greece and San Marino eye a return to the Grand Final.
Semi-Final 2
-
Armenia
-
Ireland
-
Moldova
-
Switzerland
-
Latvia
-
Romania
-
Denmark
-
Sweden
-
Austria
-
Croatia
-
Malta
-
Lithuania
-
Russia
-
Albania
-
Norway
-
The Netherlands
-
North Macedonia
-
Azerbaijan
Semi-Final 2 sees Srbuk start the show. In rather unfortunate symmetry Ireland has to perform second, as they did ten years ago in Moscow. Let’s hope the symmetry doesn’t extend to non-qualification too.
Switzerland’s Luca Hänni is also on early in fourth. The middle of the first-half is a run of slower songs from Latvia, Romania and Denmark into Sweden’s John Lundvik. Austria closes out that half of the semi.
Croatia kicks off the second-half, followed by Malta’s Michela Pace and then Lithuania.
Power ballads from Russia and Albania lead into Norway, which in turn precedes hot favourite The Netherlands and North Macedonia, which has the unenviable task of following the bookies’ favourite.
Azerbaijan close the show.
What do you make of the running order? Did your favourites get good spots? And who did the producers do dirty? Let us know in the comments below!
By allowing the running order to be decided by “the producers” (sic), the EBU seems to acknowledge the fact that the ESC no lpnger has any relevance outside the boundaries of the TV-show itself. They seem to accept that the era when ESC had the potential to make and break careers and came with an almost-guarantee on a paneuropean hit for the winning song, is for ever gone and a thing of the past. The industry seems to have picked this up too as the nature of the entered songs has changed. Whereas the prime target used to be “Songs… Read more »
While the case isn’t always true (Portugal won with that song in 2017), but I understand the concerns. The Eurovision circle, mostly the fandom, are mostly focusing on a good stage show too, as what has been seen in the 2018 vs 2019 stage topic. But bringing back that era of ‘good hits’ is harder now since all control seems to be in Björkman’s hands. I’ll wait for 2021/2022 when he steps off that position and changed by somebody else, and bring back the contest’s essence for good.
Oh, but Portugal 2017 fits the picture. It probably had the best staging of them all. It looked as just a singer singing, but it used the whole arena to get that special effect. And obviously then didn’t chart. I think that it’ll take more than Björkman leaving to change anything. As you probably have noticed, the record industry has basically abandonned ESC. They are only indirectly involved through some artists, but don’t seem to show much further intrest. And when they do, it’s only to relaunch the careers of former The Voice candidats. Probably no coincidence as The Voice… Read more »
My concerns towards record companies is that they’re following what’s selling like cakes in the worldwide market, and mostly having that means a lot of American music and artists to chart over Europe. It’s why shows like ESC has its songs not acclaimed well — who the hell wants to listen to regional talent when we have Shawn Mendes or Ariana Grande to sell? Plus the ‘reality TV’ factor you mentioned even made it clearer, even stronger this year: Malta, Georgia, Israel, and Spain all used reality TV and some countries elevate reality TV alums (but probably because their voice… Read more »
Exactly what is it you think Björkman is in charge of? Please tell us the latest conspiracy theory?
Also in failing to see how it’s somehow his fault we don’t have hits any more. That started somewhere in the early 90s. I rather think its the artists fault for not being interested in having hits apart from the one song that will be played during the summer. They could take the oppurtunity. And focus on staging started when we let the audience vote. Quality went out through the window.
He mostly produced the show in the last 5-7 years and made some significant changes towards how it was executed. Eventhough you got a point that we’ve seen the decline in 90s, the modern days made it even worse by having everything determined before show, especially, if we have to conspire, that Bjorkman was on interference with the national final and internal selections, directly and indirectly.
What I find interesting is that the ESC running order is done by producers, but the JESC running order is random (so I’ve heard). I see this as a subtle admission that the ESC running order is “rigged” to help favorites, and they don’t want to do that to the kids in JESC.
In JESC it’s decided by the producers too.
If this year Malta gets nill points from the tele-vote .. they should drop from the contest
I just want to say that I’m sorry for repeating what Chris and William said in the SF1-video about Serhat’s running order position. (I think that’s the reason why my comment got deleted.) It was just a coincidence. I simply wasn’t able to watch the YouTube videos this afternoon.
Greece is the immerging favourite guys,it has just passed Cyprus in the odds and it is seventh! Go Katerina,give us better love
She is my serious dark horse to win maybe not so dark anymore 😉
Greece is the immerging favourite guys,it has just passed Cyprus in the odds and it is seventh! Go Katerina,give us better love!!
Bla bla bla bla bla bla and bla …..and tears around midnight on the semi finals nights ????
My prediction for semi final 2: Armenia is a great opening act, but it will be forgotten and the juries might have to save it. Switzerland won’t do as well as many think, but it will go through with place 5-8 depending on the quality of the staging. The jury will adore Sweden and I think the televote will get behind Sweden as well. It will qualify with place 3-6. Malta has an amazing opportunity to reach top 3 with the televote or even win this semi. It stands out and Cyprus isn’t there to compete for the same votes.… Read more »
Triana Park or Moje 3 performed last and they failed and its funny cause Nevena once again will perform in last spot in first half in 1 semi ….as she perfomed in last spot back in 2013…
Ireland performed also second in 2015 …Well, I am surprise with running order, but Montenegro, Ireland, Estonia or Albania has bad spots …
I think it’s a very clever move to put Serhat at the end of SF1. It’s a number to keep not only the hardcore ESC-fans, but also social media, memers, and internet trolls interested in the show and entertained till the last second. Seriously, there is no other explanation. Hear me out: Serhat is most likely a non-qualifier. There, I said it. So the first and only chance (for most people) to see him perform live – that is, before the ESC puts it on Youtube – is at the end of SF1. So, you have to watch the entire… Read more »
Immediately I really hope that Montenegro and Ireland will qualify, because it seems that the persons making the draw think they will not.
Why they should qualify?
Why you hope the average/worst songs to qualify?
😀
Do you get what is it all about anyway?
Montenegro was a dead horse by arrival. Even if it started last it wouldn’t have qualified
Can you not say something positive for once apart from how great Sweden is!
Greece wil win semi one,i can’t see any other song having such a universal appeal but being of such a great quality as well,great song!
same thing people talking every year about Greece…even last year !
well,i did not like like last year’s song but this year Greece is a contender even for the final win,we all know it is a great song
My semi-final 1 prediction: Cyprus opens and everyone will think it’s the best song during the first half of the semi, until Iceland comes on. Others might like Slovenia and Hungary, maybe Serbia, among those who dislike Cyprus style of music. When Iceland is on it is something completely different, many will like it, many will hate it. What matters is that those who like it cast their vote. Estonia will come top 5, maybe even top 3 in televotes and jury, because it’s mainstream and likeable for many people after Iceland’s screaming entry. Then Portugal will have an OK… Read more »
And this year is one semifinals stronger than the other. I do not know if this is really a coincidence. I’m sure the 2nd semifinals will be more interesting. I still do not have a potential favorite, but I would certainly give Russia, the Netherlands and Cyprus the advantage, I do not see what’s so much about favoring Italy, Iceland, Switzerland and Sweden.
Looks like Azerbaijan will be opening the final based on patterns of the last three years!
Hello Europe ! I think this year Romania will win Eurovision 2019 because their song On a Sunday is so unique and powerfull and if we choose right i hope next year Eurovision 2020 will be in Bucharest. Please Europe vote Romania 2020 and have fun with On a Sunday with Ester Peony the most sexxy girl in Eurovision !
12 Points from Europe to Romania 2020 ! Forzza Bucharest 2020 we loves Dracula country and Transilvania mythology ?
i can add up to this that… I think that I WILL find a bag of 1.000.000 euros in the street.!!! It may happen too 😛 jajajaj
I think Romania has a good song….and after the video was released it’s more memorable and I have started to like it a bit more. Strange things have happened in Eurovision before so let’s see!
so who do y’all think is gonna be the shock non-qualifier of the year ? i predict portugal, their performance will be seen as a tryhard freakshow by most n it’ll fail to snatch votes.
😉 yeah i have wrote it more down. I predict portugal too and sweden in 2nd semi 😉
I actually think so too. It’s not really accessible to the main public! Norway 2013, Latvia 2015, Ukraine 2016 and Israel 2018 actually had a recognizable chorus and the song progressions were not as random as Portugal’s this year.
Maybe norway because the second semi is just so tight.
Estonia and I agree Portugal in the first semi. Norway and Armenia are the ones who should watch out. Also don’t think San Marino is totally qualifying, but, when somebody is a NQ from the last spot it takes four years of time for history to repeat it again and it hasn’t been four years of time since Triana Park. And thank you for keeping it real Podgolend Gagarina, Portugal is truly outracious this year.
Portugal, Norway, Slovenia…
Serbia/Switzerland/Hungary
Iceland might shock, as well as slovenia – and i also fear azerbaijan (which i love) might screw the live performance. 🙁
Portugal will qualify for sure ( and they deserve it for not playing safe) but I wouldn´t bet on Norway…
I don’t understand why “not playing safe” implies for a country to deserve qualifying. Just to mention one, Finland did certainly not play safe back in 2015 and noone complained when they did not qualify
Semi Final 1: Slovenia + Estonia
Semi Final 2: Albania
Switzerland in 4th and Sweden in 8th, because they are the only two male acts in the first half of second semi, both preceded by 3 female acts. I guess they wanted to.distribute male vocals evenly…
The only good thing about swedish entry is the female vocals lol
My qualifiers for 1st Semi-Final:
1. Greece (potential winner)
2. Cyprus
3. Slovenia
4. Iceland
5. Portugal
6. Belgium
7. Estonia
8. Czech Republic
9. HUngary
10. San Marino
My qualifiers for 2nd Semi-Final:
1. Netherlands (potential winner)
2. Switzerland
3. Malta
4. Azerbaijan
5. Sweden
6. North Macedonia
7. Russia
8. Norway
9. Armenia
10. Romania or Lithuania
delusional
tasteless
This Sweden-Hate is getting ridiculous! Why can’t people not just look at the song instead at the country. I don’t like Russians politics for example but I can still appreciate when they are sending a great song. And if people are angry that Sweden always ends with a great result than other countries should step up their game.
the hate is not rediculous. you ask for people to look at the song and not country but when a song is favourite with one country (Sweden) but if i was for another country (San marino, moldova) would be near to last , how is it possible to see only songs and not country??? and how can really a country step up the game of Sweden? jajaja not all the countries can take part in every years host country job – rules .. and take the good position as a gift for that 😛
Well I do look at the song. If I like a song I don’t care from which country it comes from!
perfect. so do not exclude that a lot people can think like you too and simply hate swedish song this year. Maybe is not so fan favourite this year as people think depending on odds. cause odds REAAALYYY take notice to which country it represents. So maybe based on bets Sweden 2019 is a bubble and in reality people dont like it. If you are simple, other people can think simple too 🙂 and as i wrote more down. I dont think is a bad song but i predict shocking not qualification of sweden this year (and i have included… Read more »
no you got it wrong. another guess?
Davve let me guess – you are the racist supramacist aka Dennis. You will flank!
I don’t think anyone hates Sweden as the country. Your argument is invalid (IMO) as the reason people dislike Sweden is exactly because they focus on the songs and not in the actual country and its contribution to the contest which has overall been positive. It’s just frustrating that if we purely focus on the songs, many times, they are average but we all know will do well or receive a lot of attention (which then is confirmed by the jury votes).
i am soooo into youuuu andy 😉 i couldnt be more inside .. your mind 😉
Whatever Sweden sends people will hate it. Even Loreen was hated. It’s precisely because we take it seriously and send genuine contenders it’s hated. If your country has never experienced that sucess it’s naturally you start to hate instead of hoping your broadcaster takes it seriously. Sadly people stopped being actual crituqual and started to hate Sweden for no other reason then it being from Sweden. For some reason wishing Sweden to flop is easier than admitting your country just isn’t good to do well. Or has given up on winning..
this is your own side of the coin. The other side can simply mean that nobody hates Sweden but most of the time people dont like YOUR genuine contender song (as you call your country choices) but you go top due to other facts as juries are biased enough for your country (whatever generic you send). After that is obvious that bookers will suport with money your country. But this is only a bubble image that doing circles like the more juries supports your country the more people will bet so the more your country looks always with amazing song… Read more »
No it’s not because of that. It’s because your disgusting superior attitude of which you are the main representative.
I usually don’t like Sweden’s songs, but this year I love it! For once they send quality and not just a stereotypical pop song. I always have some dislike for Sweden, but that’s because I’m Norwegian. It’s noting more than sibling rivalry and deep down I love them
Sweden with Lisa Ajax’s Torn would have been one of my favorites this year. I’m not into that pop-gospel so I don’t like Sweden this year like I didn’t liked Austria last year.
It is just that no matter what song represents you, you always do good while if it was another country it would be slaughtered. Every year, even if your song is generic af and nothing that stands out it is always in the favorites. Can you tell me why?
cause swedish people think they deserve it jajaja they dont understand the obvious. that they have been promoted most of the years due to their involvement in the production each year. and that tops the odds due to name and nothing more 😉
Thank you for proving my point! If I was from your country I would be jealous too. Of course it would be easier to blame Sweden then to admit that my country Spain hasn’t left any impact on the scoreboard since 1995. Why blame the broadcaster for not making efforts when you can blame other countries..
Otis- “cause swedish people think they deserve it” Swedish people don’t care! The swedish people care about Melfest, not eurovision. Most people I know are not even watching eurovision and definetely not the semis.
It’s sad, then. Having Bjorkman as our producer should be a shame if Swedes don’t even care for him.
ajajajja even montenegro wouldnt prefer swedish song. cause they would be last in odds and not 1 place before last 😛
Of course the jealousy argument again. No one is f@cking jeleous of your pathetic little lifes and arrogant attitude
I hope sweden wins like 3 years in a row in the twenties just to flex on all these sweden bashers xD
I think also it’s the first time that Sasha Jean Babtist is doing the staging and she should know what she is doing!
They slaughtered Slovenia’s chances.
I’m sad. Very sad.
Slovenia is third fave to win semi final according to the odds. I’m sure they’ll qualify.
I only have one thing to say in this: Buh-Bye Romania. You won’t be missed.
Are you joking? They’re sandwiched between two extremely low impact songs (Especially Latvia right before Romania), this is the best case scenario for them. They have absolutely no contest trying to fight for the viewers interest between the other two and is just late enough in the first half for people to get some time to mull it over in their head before all the other songs. Any song that goes after Switzerland in the first half for that matter minus Latvia that goes directly after it.
This year, their song is among the most popular ones and they are positioned between Latvia and Moldova. I think it’s safe to say they’ll qualify.
So these are my guesses following the running order reveal –
Sure qualifiers: netherlands, russia, cyprus, sweden
Almost sure: switzerland, greece, malta, norway, azerbaijan, iceland, portugal
Good chances: armenia, slovenia, belgium, albania
Might do well: australia, czech republic, hungary, serbia, macedonia, san marino, denmark, romania
Little chance: poland, finland
Hardly any chance: montenegro, latvia, georgia, lithuania, belarus, ireland, estonia, moldova, austria, croatia
11 are almost surely in; 10 are almost surely out. Leaving 14 countries to fight over 9 slots.
Belarus has a decent draw, As does Austria , They were in a bad spot but it’s slightly better now
Lithuania and Estonia have been given bad draws but won’t count them completely out
The other six completely out i absolutely agree with
I’ll add finland to the out category
I’d be actually happy with austria and lithuania qualifying, but it’s such a tough semi. They would have far better chances in semi 1.
I think they had good staging last year.
i guess Duncan wins semi 2 , and i want N. Macedonia and Albania to go through
semi 1 wins Greece or Cyprus and i want Georgia and Hungary to go through
of course all hail King Duncan, superior with both televoting and juries
NL Always does well in televoting
WHAT? every year The Netherlands gets more votes from juries.
Is Reykjavik capable of hosting the 2020 contest if Hatari wins?
Why do you thing that they have even the slightest chance of wining? Even ESC fans are mostly hating this song. Who will vote for it for the win?
The same people who voted for Lordi.
They do. Laugardalsholl can do with approximately 9.000-10.000 attendants.
I also think Egilshöll could be a good contender. It’s an indoor soccer court and I’m sure they would be able to put in temporary seating stands like they did in Copenhagen 2014. Or they could just go for a mainly standing audience. I think they managed to cram 18 000 people in there when Metallica had a concert years ago.
sausage jean baptiste opening both semis
Has she confirmed that she’s working with Armenia too?
She’s not. Armenia’s stage director is Arthur Manukyan.
Has he worked on other stagings for Armenia?
My jury coins: 1. I’m afraid Iceland won’t make it. Not because it is not great, but basically it is a spoken word over a techno music and these juries never (yes, never) love spoken words or raps. Could be the Who See of 2019. 2. Australia and Portugal, on the other hand, stil has acceptable factors and might get some good amount of points. 3. Sweden? Russia? (Insert public secret here) 4. Greece and Netherlands might be loved by the juries. Both are elaborate pop songs. 5. Some underrated countries that could perform well if they did staging right… Read more »
I like how Greece and N’lands have great appeal to the juries but still being honest, they are not jury baits.
They are not, to be honest. To find jury baits, we go back to No. 3.
We also have to look at the blocks and friendly votes. There are few nordics country on SF1. It’s a big disadvantage for Iceland. They have only Finland and Estonia (no Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands and UK, Ireland, Germany that are more used to this kind of music) On contrary there are lots of Mediterraneans countries on SF1 (Greece, Cyprus, Balkanics, Spain, Israel) that are more used to the sounds used on Portugal entry. And if we add the French and even Belgium diaspora I don’t see how Iceland could qualify and not Portugal. So basically people saying that Portugal… Read more »
Seeing Who See not qualifying just broke my heart
I’ll probably get hate out of this, but Iceland 2019 reminded me of… Austria 2012. Spoken word, in their national language, provocative topic, provocative staging.
Please don’t compare Austria 2012 to Iceland 2019…my heart hurts. Austria 2012 was a cringy and sexist performance. Hatari is objectively cool and has a great song with a contemporary message. I really hope that they qualify, but I share your concerns.
I do get that they’re not really that comparable but they do have similar elements. I’m also concerned if their message would not get accepted by Europe as well as fans would hope, because they are an interesting flavor to the competition this year.
It’s more Lordi than Trackshittaz, if anything.
I know it will be harder to imagine, but I just wanted Pænda to have the Sobral effect. I really hope it does.
San Marino are gonna qualify and I’m gonna cry because Valentina deserves to be San Marino’s best. ;(
Valentina+Serhat 2020
The REAL dream team
Serhat… you better have a great staging and deserve this last spot –‘ but I just can’t believe this song could qualify. We’re not in the 80’s anymore.
I will predict the 2 shocking no qualifiers this year. In semi 1 will be portugal. That is a different song yeah but for first time that the viewers will see that… half of them they may even laugh (trust me especially most of europe that doesnt know of style and music difference and evolution) and the other half people will never feel the melody behind his language. Portugal is out and in the second semi i would bet NOT qualification of Sweden as a shock. 1) cause is strong semi 2) there are no block standart favourite songs (i… Read more »
with this song? jajaja (is not bad but it cant go through semi 2… is prediction dear dont get angry of yourself) i can live with my delusions babe. i would better stay now than when you will be shocked with the results of semi 2 😛 but please when you cry with the results and you will get delusional … remember my name and my prediction 🙂 Otis p.s i bet more people are closer to my prediction than to yours for Sweden even winning semi 2 jajajajajjajajajajajjaj 😛 laughing with my heart. Sweden has more chances to flop… Read more »
Iceland has more chances to be the shocking NQ than Portugal. Say what you want but the rhythm of Telemoveis is far more catchy than Iceland. And performing later is a big advantage for Portugal.
And France + Spain are voting on this SF so it’s 24 pts for sure on the televote.
Iceland is VERY Unappealing on a first listen. It’s harsh and uninviting, and generally pretty intimidating. Add in the fact that Israel will most likely won’t give a single point to Iceland (neither jury or televote) and many other people will simply won’t relate to it, and I wouldn’t be too surprised if they’ll end up non-qualifying.
If anyone is gonna be a surprise NQ in sf1 it’s probably gonna be Belgium.
It’s pretty middle of the road and even though you might think it can qualify, i don’t think it’ll have memorable staging or the song will stand out enough to qualify
It’ll miss the finals in favor of a riskier entry that we might consider “borderline”, like Poland
Portugal is OBVIOUSLY qualifying.
Oh here we go again! One of those that think that people wont vote on Sweden because they didn’t last year. Thats it is some sort of sign.
People barely remember the song that won, yet alone who competed.
So far there is indication Sweden will do better than last year.
Now who is jealous…
MARUV WHERE ARE U ??????
Where are you my love? All night through…
in ukraine of course
Ukraine or…………..
U
She is in Crimea…. So Darren welcome to wiwibloggs. I have a very uncomfortable question for you: Crimea is Ukraine?
Or………..
Just predicting, but I think Cyprus, Greece, and Iceland will top 3 in sf1, and Switzerland, Russia, and Netherlands will top in sf2
That’s the safest Top 3 to predict in both SF which means it feels be too obvious to actually happen.
Sweden might top 3 instead of one of the other 3 i mentioned for sf2 , but it’ll be mostly thanks to jury bias
i know someone else said portugal as a top 3 for sf1 and as much as i like the song, i think iceland is a more likely success story in terms of a really strange entry. Portugal i can see qualifying in like 5th or 6th?
I’ll guess Portugal, Greece & Cyprus as top 3 in semi one and Netherlands, Switzerland & Russia in semi two.
If we switch Portugal for Iceland it would be still expected. Same with Sweden being Top 3 thanks to juries. It just seems too obvious or predictable I don’t know.
Last year we had Cyprus and Moldova surpising. Or Denmark winning Televoting in SF2
In 2017 we had again Moldova. Or Hungary doing so well at SF2 with televoting.
In 2016 we had Austria and Hungary Top 3 with televote or Malta winning jury at SF1. Also Belgium at SF2
I mean we usually have this kind of surprises which is great.
I think that Slovenia has more chances to enter top 3 than Portugal, but the top 3 will probably be Greece, Cyprus and Iceland despite how obvious that is
Also this will be the first year that FYR Macedonia will participate as North Macedonia! No more long French version of the name.. #sad
Do we know when the rehearsals schedule will be released?
Usually a week before rehearsals start. It’s pretty predictable though. First day you have the first half of first semi, second day the second half vice versa for the second semi, then they start with the shorter second rehearsals. Usually the big 5 have their first rehearsal also on one of these days, and after those rehearsals you have the dress rehearsals + jury rehearsal I think.
Actually in semi-final 1 there are many risky songs and there might be surprises. For example, I’m not confident that Portugal, Iceland or Australia could all qualify, left-field music likers choose one I believe? I mean their voters base is not so big, as it is not mainstream. And ethnical entries like Poland, Hungary, Georgia – I think at least one of them will qualify. And since there are a lot of so-so songs and the semi isn’t so strong, Estonia, Slovenia, Belarus, Czech or any other could sneak in the final places 8-10. So 2nd semi might be stronger,… Read more »
I think San Marino will qualify and Portugal will most likely miss the final like Belgium last year! Iceland-Australia wow!!! interesting 6 minutes for the people that are unaware of the songs. Cyprus opening is good but they won’t be as high as everyone expects. Top 5 in the semifinal and top 10 at the best in the final. Slovenia has a great spot and so does Russia! Putting Netherlands and North Macedonia next to each other is a weird move, 2 ballads! Poor Ireland performing 2nd, destroyed their chances. Great spot for Sweden and MALTA! Malta is sailing to… Read more »
San Marino qualifying instead of Portugal ???? Oh please…
Kate Miller-Heidke will be hard to beat live.. Judges will appreciate her.. Yes they all have to preform live.. Things will change
My previous comment did not appear on this board so I’ll make quickly few remarks regarding the running order:
1. Cyprus being first is the best it could get
2. Armenia opening the 2nd semifinal is good, but I’d prefer Sweden at this place
3. Georgia-Australia-Ieland – what a delight, so much diversity
4. I thought Greece would close the first semifinal, close but no cigar, San Marino got a green light from EBU production team, they’d better not mess it up
5. Russia and Albania, both heavy ballads near each other?
If Serhat qualifies, does this mean he’s opening the final?
I think the semi-final closer ended up being the first song on Saturday night for the last three years running…
They have, though they all closed SF 2.
I would either put San Marino first or Spain, but in either case it depends on what half of the final they’re drawn for (and, in San Marino’s case, if they make it through!).
It looks like bad news not only to montenegro and ireland, but also to estonia – who now feel like they’re there mainly so we could breath between iceland and portugal – and lithuania: if he had any chance it was due to his good looks making him stand out, but now sergey will come after him and drown him. Czech republic might also suffer from this.
Could be good news to australia who stand out now amidst the general mellowness before them. Albania and macedonia might profit too, and maybe maybe finland.
Czech Republic has a great draw if you ask me. First half of semi 1 is certainly more low-key compared to the second one. Putting them 6th (spot Elina Nechayeva qualified from) between Slovenia and Hungary, two slow, national language songs, will make them stand out so much. Czechia is totally in!
Surprised that san Marino is closing the first semifinal, Granddaddy Serhat will hopefully get through: As for my own country, #8 is the best slot we could’ve gotten, especially having Denmark right before us. Hopefully the netherlands will win the second semi
The draw dont mean anything anymore when we have jury 50%. Thats good.
In semi 1: Even if the people love San Marino and the jury dont they wont qualify if they dont have love from both. Thats good. So it doesnt matter if SanMarino is last.
In Semi 2. i feel that the last 6 are a strong. In the first half Switzeralnd and Sweden are the strongest. I REALLY hope NorthMacedonia can do it.
In 2017, Yodel It! qualified being 3rd in televote, and 15th in jury vote, so San Marino can do the same.
The running order has clearly been decided by the European Björkcasting Union.
and again: Ukraine,Portugal,Israel called him and ASKED him for help. Tell me WHY? They dont have to so get your facts right. If you are good att your job people call you.
Hahahhahah
Great to have someone to blame for your own country having sent a bad song I guess
I actually feel bad for Estonia, which was why I wanted Iceland to close the show because nothing could follow it, but now Estonia needs to bring their A game, anything else and they’re gone. Also my country, Ireland, crucified by the running order, 2nd spot performing after Armenia *YIKES*. But to positives, as a result of the running order, Romania and Azerbaijan have moved into my 10 predicted qualifiers while out goes Denmark and Latvia. And Austria are starting to give me serious dark horse vibes but just misses the cut for me because of the sea of ballads.… Read more »
I don’t really know what’s about this “dreaded” 2nd spot. Countries qualify more often from 2nd spot than from 3rd, 5th or 11th, for example, but no one is talking about those 😛
So true! Real death slots are 3, 4 and 11 with 36% qualification rate!
The second half of the second semi is perversely strong. Regarding concerns towards Albania performing between Russia, Norway and the Netherlands. I think there is an up-side to this – being so strong the second half will be more memorable and maybe it helps Albania and North Macedonia, while sinking Romania and Denmark (these four will fight for two places in my opinion). Something similar happened last year where Albania (again XD) and Lithuania were in the first half with Israel, Czech Rep, Bulgaria and Estonia who were top 5 in the Odds and they profited form this, while Greece… Read more »
This is interesting. Tamara performing second to last in the 2nd semi final just like in 2008. I hope this time the juries will save her considering the fact she placed 10th in 2008 and they eliminated her because of Sweden. I’m not sure about Azerbaijan qualifying since i have no idea how it might sound live. The song itself doesn’t stand out to me enough so i would not call it a straight qualifier. I have the same thoughts about Malta although it’s one of the fanfavourites. I hope i’m wrong. Don’t get mad at me but i think… Read more »
Latvia and Austria have chances
In a local talk show Husniyye, the head of Azerbaijani delegation addressed to the concerns about the song being over autotuned and him not being able to perform it live. She actually mocked those believing it’s not his own voice and said they hadn’t used any technology to change his voice. A week ago Chingiz released a video of him singing the Truth live and I think he nailed it. I have no doubts about his voice anymore tbh. https://youtu.be/PnA3cYNlaz8
I truly hope he performs well. I like the song!