Day six at Eurovision 2019. Eleven second rehearsals ahead of us. And we kickoff with our final two from Semi-Final 1: Greece and San Marino.

Reactions to second rehearsals at Eurovision 2019: Greece and San Marino

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Greece: Katerine Duska with “Better Love”

On Sunday she showed us the spirit of Aphrodite and at today’s rehearsal Katerine Duska had turned to Apollo to brighten the stage with the rays of the sun.

This was lighter, brighter and tighter than at first run throughs. On the floor, on the screens and on the stage the Greek lotus is in full bloom. Katerine has one of the best vocals in the semi-final and camera shots wise this looked better. There were a few problems with the lotus effect on the floor, but these had been ironed out by final runs.

Greece are certainly in the mix to win the semi.

San Marino: Serhat with “Say Na Na Na”

The second run of “Say Na Na Na” was verging on Laura Tesoro show closing energy territory.

Now as the performance opens, Serhat’s dancers are already on the move, and the kinetic energy they infuse the show with radiates throughout the entire performance.

This is fun, it will end the show with a bang and the screens look expensive. Serhat also looks looser on stage which helps sell the party atmosphere.

San Marino always has the odds stacked against it, but there is a sense in the press center that this may be inching in the right direction.

Check out all of our rehearsal news here

Photo Credit: EBU

43 Comments
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Sorry not sorry
Sorry not sorry
4 years ago

Its soooo childish everytime someone has a critical note about Greece’s performance (loin dici en hiiii for they immediatly get a lot of downvotes ?

Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Serhat gets upstaged by the backing singer. Someone needs to tell her it’s not about her!

Max
Max
4 years ago
Reply to  Denis

So true! It sounds hilarious.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

Greece: Katerine already sounds great, even if holding back. The delicate costumes and pastel colors instantly set the entry apart from others. The wide shots aren’t helping, though, at least not until the background shows the lotus flower. Focus on the beautiful painting on display, not on the wall of the museum.
San Marino: questionable camerawork seems to be a general issue. In a dancing number like this, the cameras have to dance too. At least here the background moves a lot. The backing vocal is distractive, but Serhat is doing a fine job.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

They gotta do something about whoever is doing the “na na na”s. She sounds a bit off. The rest is pretty good though. I’m a bit worried, of course, but I still have faith that they can carry it off. That’s all I can do now – just hope.

Oh, and Greece did a good job too.

Burger
Burger
4 years ago

Greece will qualify, but not going to win the semi final: San Marino is crazy but being last song it might linger for a few voters

Ffs
Ffs
4 years ago

Greece will qualify and will be in top 10. San Marino is simply tacky

Luli
Luli
4 years ago

I relly like Greek song, but she sounds as a male person.

Loin dici
4 years ago

I will probably get downvoted by this, but there’s something missing in Katerine’s performance, and that is the vocals. Not in an awfully bad way : the notes are there, the timbre is there, but seems she held her throat and made her voice weaker while we need more power. And agree with Skiwalko, the flower wall is more than enough to be a center point.

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

About San Marino, the problem lies mostly on the camera shots which felt really, really static and slow for a song as dynamic as that. And Serhat could have moved even more energetic.

Andy
Andy
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

I feel like literally her mic being a bit louder could do the trick. It felt like vocals and her were on the same volume.

Matt
Matt
4 years ago

Wow… San Marino…. WTF. Horrible staging. Everybody looks bored on the stage.

Greece looks good enough to qualify. I like the flower imagery.

Otis
Otis
4 years ago
Reply to  Matt

good enough to qualify? 😛 dude the matter is if whe can manage top 10 grand final or not… not if she will qualify 😛

yey
yey
4 years ago
Reply to  Otis

Paidia stamatiste ligo na malonete me opoion diafonei…Meta gkriniazoume pou den mas psifizoun.

Rimig
Rimig
4 years ago

I have the same feeling as some others. I love the Greek song (my nr 2 overall) and it was my absolute favourite of this semi; Katerine’s vocals are now OK, I like the staging…. but…. something is missing! It has much less power than the studio version. It’s like Katerine’s singing does not blend well with the music or something like that. It’s very frustrating!
Regarding San Marino, I had them as the borderline qualifiers, but I am not very impressed by the staging and the backing vocalist are quite bad!

Onar
Onar
4 years ago
Reply to  Rimig

In the studio version you can barely make out the melody and the song is supported mostly by Katerine and her voice. Here on the other hand, the music is a bit too loud and overpowers Katerine. I think if the microphone was a little bit louder Katerine’s voice wouldn’t be overpowered by the music.

Hiii
Hiii
4 years ago

Hmm i feel like something is missing in Greece’s performance
Can’t put my finger on it tho

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

Quick review #6: Greece – I know I’ll get downvoted a lot, but I think that there’s still a room for improvement. First of all, the recurring problem of this year – shots. Those made from a distance serve no purpose at all – you can’t see what’s happening on stage, you can’t see the audience’s reaction, and you just get confused, they make them seem to be swallowed by the stage. I also have an issue with dancers – their choreography is really good, but overall I find them distracting and in my opinion the focus should be put… Read more »

Onar
Onar
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

I don’t know why you think you’ll get downvoted. Critisism is always good as long as it’s constructive and doesn’t disrespect the artists and I believe most people would agree with the points you made.

About the choreography part and the focus on Katerine, I’ve heard in one of her interviews that even though she is the protagonist in the show they don’t want her to be the sole focus, that’s why the backing vocalists have a role and place. They are telling a story on the stage and the girls around Katerine are helping in this.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago
Reply to  Onar

I just think that there’s sort of an almost unhealthy hype atmosphere around Greece this year, making some fans take any form of criticism against the song, staging or artist as a personal insult.

Onar
Onar
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

Yeah I’ll agree with you that certain Greeks (who are a handful mind you) won’t take well to any sort of criticism on the song and respond with insults. However, many people have been hating on the song just because it’s Greece’s entry and as a result some fellow Greeks react strongly with any kind of criticism. I don’t agree with it and I’m kind of fed up seeing them insulting others who don’t like our song but I’m also fed up with comments like “Greece is Turkey”, “this sucks”, “Greece won’t qualify once again”, “it’s like a condom”, “it’s… Read more »

Loin dici
4 years ago
Reply to  Skiwalko

And that’s what’s happening on my comment. I like Greece’s entry, it could be potential to snatch a win, but the attitude given towards criticism of the entry made me kind of wish ERT didn’t win just to hinder this to last for the whole year until season 65 (2020). Downvote me all you want, people, but it truly becomes uncomfortable to say anything about the Greek entry as of now.

Onar
Onar
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

Hahaha I had to search for your comment and you’re right. I agree with you and as I answered to someone else, it’s probably that the music is louder and overpowers her voice. I wish they could fix that. The music is there to support Katerine’s voice and not overpower it.

Anyway you have upvote from me. Never be afraid or uncomfortable to express your opinion, don’t let a few downvotes silence you. <3

Bob
Bob
4 years ago

San Marino is as bad as always.

La Signora
La Signora
4 years ago

If Greece wins I’m sincerely happy

Nej
Nej
4 years ago

The snippet looks a taaad boring. But I think they chose on purpose such a part. I think she has a top 15 guarranted.

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago

San Marino’s song has a nice disco beat to it. I like it. Unfortunately, so many other songs are stronger. Good luck!!

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago

Yeah, the running order is also very important. At the end of the day, what viewers remember most on the night has great chances of getting votes.

Conchitaah
Conchitaah
4 years ago

Oh my god those Greek haters. You saw that Katerine was serving vocals and a stage that was pretty impressive. Come on, don’t act foolish, and accept the fact that this is WINNING THE SEMI, because it’s the best performance of it.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

where’s the ballad u speak of

Redgrave
Redgrave
4 years ago

All good except the song!

Elsa
Elsa
4 years ago
Reply to  Redgrave

Exactly song sucks…

Michael
Michael
4 years ago

San Marino to the final, please. Pure fun for 3 minutes.

Giulia
Giulia
4 years ago

Well,that flawless high note…oh my gosh!!She is a goddess,love the song,love the staging,love her VOICE!This is my winner for semi final 1!

Minerva
Minerva
4 years ago
Reply to  Giulia

Flawless at every range!

Andy
Andy
4 years ago

I think is between GRE and AUS. As easy AUS is doing well with the juries, GRE doesn’t (they have never been top 10 in juries). So on the jury vote I expect AUS to be top.
On the public vote, it depends on how well they will receive the actual song of the AUS as GRE is a bit more traditional/usual one and probably easier to digest.

Kris
Kris
4 years ago
Reply to  Andy

Greece never sent a song as strong as this since the jury voting was introduced. This is a contender for jury winner for sure. The televote maybe not so much

GiavK
GiavK
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Greece will NEVER do well with the juries…remember the last time they had us on top ten was in 1993-a 9th place!!! Even the masterpieces we sent in the 90s went unnoticed and I’m afraid so will this:(

alexander
alexander
4 years ago

i think greece can win the semi final. what about the final?

Michael
Michael
4 years ago
Reply to  alexander

No, no, no

Michael
Michael
4 years ago
Reply to  Michael

I like Greece a lot and hope she will win this semi final. But for the win in the Grand Final the song is not good enough. I hope a place between 5 – 10.

alexander
alexander
4 years ago
Reply to  Michael

A spot in the top 5 isn’t possible?

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago
Reply to  alexander

*Jamala finished 2nd in her semi, just as did Ell and Niki in 2011, Dima Bilan was even 3rd in his semi in 2008, and still managed to win the final.