Poland’s search for its Eurovision 2020 entry has come to an end following the grand final of Szansa na Sukces – Eurowizja 2020. In the end, it was Alicja Szemplińska that came out victorious. She will represent Poland in Rotterdam this May with the song “Empires”.

Alicja won the maximum number of points from both the public televote and jury.

Alicja Szemplińska wins Szansa na Sukces – Eurowizja 2020

The grand final of the show saw the three semi-final winners performing two songs. First, they all performed a past Eurovision entry. The Eurovision covers in the first round were as follows:

  • Kasia Dereń – “Satellite” (Germany 2010)
  • Alicja Szemplińska – “Euphoria” (Sweden 2012)
  • Albert Černý – “Fairytale” (Norway 2009)

The three finalists then sang their potential songs for Eurovision 2020.

Albert Černý – “Lucy”

Alicja Szemplińska – “Empires”

Kasia Dereń – “Count on Me”

Szansa na Sukces – Eurowizja 2020 Result

Former Polish Eurovision stars Cleo, Gromee and Michał Szpak were on hand to give the finalists advice and support. Although they decided who would win each semi-final, they did not have a say in the outcome of the grand final.

The final result was down to a public televote and a jury. They both decided that Alicja Szemplińska was their favourite and should represent Poland at Eurovision 2020.

Albert Černý finished in second place, and Kasia Dereń was third.

About Alicja Szemplińska

Alicja Szemplińska has a strong track record in reality singing competitions. She has previously won the shows Hit, Hit, Hurra! and The Voice of Poland.

Szemplińska’s Eurovision entry is written by Patryk Kumór, Dominic Buczkowski-Wojtaszek, Laurell Barker and Frazer Mac.

Kumór was involved with both of Poland’s Junior Eurovision winning entries. Barker is a prolific songwriter. In 2019 she had three songs compete at Eurovision for Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. One of those — Luca Hänni’s “She Got Me” — was co-written with Frazer Mac (as was Luca’s follow-up “Bella Bella”).

Alicja will perform “Empires” in the first half of the second semi-final on Thursday 14th May.

What do you make of the result? Do you think Poland have chosen a strong entry for Eurovision 2020? Sound off in the comments below!

Read more Poland Eurovision news here

192 Comments
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Joanna
Joanna
4 years ago

If Roxie Wegiel were older, I would like her to represent Poland with the song “ Half of my heart”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzpUQQVEFHU

Mia
Mia
4 years ago

This is so beige, yet so bizarre.. She seems touched by the song, still I don’t get tf are lyrics about, I don’t remember melody, listened it once and not any more, thank you.. Girl, if they hold you there against your will, just blink twice into the camera lol.

Nat
Nat
4 years ago

Albert’s “Lucy” was SOOOO much better! Easy to remember, way more modern than “Empires” and it catches one at once.

Somebody
Somebody
4 years ago

She has a special voice. I like it.

That said, Poland has been killing it lately with JESC. I’m not surprised with their decision to send a quality act.

Pasadena
Pasadena
4 years ago

I wrote this off initially as yet another screaming ballad. However, having listened to it a few times I actually think it’s beautiful. Love the cinematic quality.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

The voice is wow, impressive. Very deep and special. The song is just meh. Just another bond-like epic power ballad. I’m not into that kind of song. Not even when Conchita won back in 2014. The artist is clearly better than the song. Kudos to her but I don’t like it. The best choice, in my opinion, was Lake Malawi’s “Lucy”, I love the melody, the lyrics and how it is both uplifting and emotional. He’s a great artist and the live was on point even if he couldn’t move out of the circle. “Empire” clearly benefitted from that restriction… Read more »

adr22
adr22
4 years ago
Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

My name is Land, Po-land :-D. Jokes apart. I do kinda like it, but if I have to choose a string based ballad, I’m going with Ulrikke, and I think it’s good they’re on different semis.

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago

When we had Krajowe Eliminacje, they always postponed everything and when they were finally releasing the list of competing songs, some of the artists were quite popular, some were completely unknown, some songs were released and other songs were nowhere to be found. Wouldn’t it be better to officially release them and publish somewhere at the same time? 4) Another thing that artists always complain about in Poland are the conditions in the studio. They often say that there are problems with the sounds, nothing works as it should. And I can feel that. Alicja’s song will probably sound much… Read more »

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago

[I posted the comment but it’s probably too long so I am going to divide it] I am Polish and I have a lot of thoughts about this… So this is probably going to be a long comment. First of all let’s focus on the contestants and their songs: 1) My problem with Kasia Deren is the fact that she shouts too much… I know that she has a great voice and wants to show it off but for me it’s just too much. I like simple songs, simple singing and I don’t want to hear the singer go “oooh”… Read more »

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

A few thoughts about the whole selection process: 1) As always the host didn’t really seem prepared. He said that 19 Eurovision songs are already selected and ours will be 20th. It’s not true, there are less songs… They probably counted all songs that already have the chosen artists and the titles and they didn’t realize that they are not released… It may be a small thing but it annoys me that they often seem to make mistakes of this kind. 2) Honestly the whole thing seems staged… Alicja was a favourite from the start, she got the best song… Read more »

Safiya
Safiya
4 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

3) Some people noticed that Alicja was the only one who didn’t release her song before the final. It’s weird because artists generally tend to release the competing songs before the contest so that people can listen to them and grow to like them. People’ve heard Albert’s and Kasia’s song before and they still chose Alicja’s song that they have only heard once? Whether it was staged or not, it shows that TVP doesn’t really take the contest seriously. In other countries, even the ones that are less successful at Eurovision, all competing songs are usually released at the same… Read more »

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

you shout too much as well

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Safiya

Pretty much. But at least this preselection was so bad that we can joke about it.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
4 years ago

The live performance was vocally uncomfortable, however the song has potential to do well. Alicja being younger will no doubt learn very quickly between now and May, and this again opens up potential. In all, it’s a bit of a wildcard entry.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

Audio version is much better than live. This can surprise some as its not that boring as some other ballads. Only if she manage to sing it well live.

Kuno
Kuno
4 years ago

Michal Szpak looks like Filomena Cautela

Alexander
Alexander
4 years ago

I’ll be honest, Laurell Barker seems to always come at a detriment for Eurovision songs lately. Of course minus She Got Me from last year.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago

Ufaj mi and Lucy were both better than this. It was rigged for Alicja, I know, but they would have 100% qualified with Lucy, and probably with Ufaj Mi, but not with this. Sorry Poland, you and Slovenia are the two countries I am pretty sure won’t get to the final, but I hope you prove me wrong.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

I will say this though, her voice is angelic. absolutely stunning vocal

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

s*it it’s growing on me already, I may have to retract what I said

Joe
Joe
4 years ago
Reply to  Ashton Schier

Love watching people grow in real time.

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Too bad it will have 3 minutes only in SF.

Ashton Schier
Ashton Schier
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

I think that’s a crucial point, Dawid. It is slowly rising in my ranks each time I listen to it, but most people will only hear it once and make a snap judgment. I stand by my hypothesis that Poland will not make the final, despite me now thinking that it would be a worthy qualifier.

Nina
Nina
4 years ago

It’s one thing when a developed country make a national selection like this, but a completely different thing when a poor country do it! Spending public money to make a contest with three songs that, let’s face it, would NEVER win ESC, is nothing but a robbery of people who pays for it. It would be better to select a song internally IF it is already going to be a crap entry like this. Making a n. selection means they NEED a least one song good enough to make a success at ESC. Poor countries can’t afford this kind of… Read more »

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

you are so full of s*it !

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

It’s source of memes, its something

PoliszD?uri
PoliszD?uri
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

Polish people have never learned on mistakes… nowadays nor in the past… it’s our characteristics… We complain on everything and don’t accept the fact that we are the cause…

Nat
Nat
4 years ago
Reply to  PoliszD?uri

“We complain on everything”. Like you just did?

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  PoliszD?uri

> ESC fans saying Gromee won’t qualify >> “All you can do is complaining!”; “Sing better you hater”, > ESC fans saying Tulia won’t qualify >> “You will apologize after they crush the grand final!” > ESC fans saying that Alicja won’t qualify >> “You never learn, there’s nothing to complain about”, “She will do really well! You will see!” No, we’ve been watching ESC for a while to know when something is simply bad. Wanting your country to do well and calling out bs when broadcaster doesn’t seem to give a damn isn’t hating. It’s critique. If you don’t… Read more »

Nat
Nat
4 years ago
Reply to  Nina

>Poland
>poor country
xD

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Nat

95% of Polish people tends to compare Poland to Germany, UK, France or Benelux so yeah, in comparison to THESE countries it is poor.

Luk
Luk
4 years ago

Viki Gabor feat Kayah “Ramie w Ramie ” new song
Good luck Alcja
Song Empires is strong ballade Keep our fingers crossed

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

As much as I wasn’t that keen on them competing, I can’t believe that Lake Malawi were the best option here by quite so much.

Mena
Mena
4 years ago

Albert Cerny was better

Patrick
Patrick
4 years ago

I mean: Great voice!!!!!!

Luk
Luk
4 years ago

To listen cover Conchita wurst
The voice kids poland
Marcin Maciejczak ” Rise Like a Phoenix”
And his new song “Jak gdyby nic “

Bob
Bob
4 years ago

I quite like it, I’m a sucker for dramatic ballads sung by women, as long as she hits those last notes I think Poland will make the final. I hope to see a lot of drama and fire and passion on stage in Rotterdam. She is beautiful but not emotive enough, if she wants to do a Szpak and surprise everyone she will need to deliver more charisma in May.

Mr X
Mr X
4 years ago

Absolute horrible and specially composed for ESC by Barker and Company (I don´t like her).

Another final without Poland this year.

1. Italy 9/10
2. Lithuania 8/10
3. Slovenia 8/10
4. Spain 7/10
5. Norway 7/10
6. Ukraine 7/10
7. Czech Republic 6/10
8. Belgium 6/10
9. Latvia 5/10
10. Australia 3/10
11. Albania 3/10
12. France 1/10
13. Armenia 0/10
14. Poland 0/10

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Mr X

So… your #1 is Italian ballad and #14 is Polish ballad? Hilarious!

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Tom

There’s more. Both #1 and #14 have WORDS. No way he likes one and doesn’t like another one

Miguel
Miguel
4 years ago

A melodic ballad with some epicness. She has a low tone, that irritates me a bit (personal opinion). I find the song a bit boring and dated to be honest. And the ending is weird and too shouty. I don’t like this. On the plus side, Alicja is a decent performer.

Mil
Mil
4 years ago

The feeling when the two Polish Junior ESC songs were better… She has impressive vocals and stage presence. With a bit tweaked arrangement to make it sound more contemporary, it may do well, however.

Irishfan
Irishfan
4 years ago

There is something not working with this. I’m not sure the song matches the voice.

Leo M
Leo M
4 years ago

First off, she is amazing. 17 years old and an incredible voice. However, I am not a fan of the song, it’s a bit bland. With incredible staging, it could sneak into the final.

BleuKnaveXD236
BleuKnaveXD236
4 years ago

Ehhh, it’s nice enough… but I did get super bored during this. I am just not a ballad person I’m afraid >_< anyways good luck to her and Poland in Rotterdam.

ESCalator
ESCalator
4 years ago

– she started the song by mispronouncing ‘ashes’.
– the music arrangement is dated, hopefully they can come up with something better
– her voice was cracking at the end – imagine what it will sound like after several ESC rehearsals and performances.

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago

This is actually pretty good. I think she’s getting a lot of flack because the selection was clearly rigged for her benefit, but the song does the Bond formula really well. Dramatic and sonorous melodies, and probably Laurell Barker’s best ESC lyrics (say possibly because there’s creativity but questionable grammar). Alicja’s deep voice also gives it a bit more flavour, but the enunciation needs work. I actually think the live instrumentation worked well, and I hope the production retains the orchestral sound because it’s the main selling point of the entry for me. If that’s the case, I think Poland… Read more »

Luk
Luk
4 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Poland is dark horse

NickC
NickC
4 years ago

Call me crazy, but this has a”To Nie Ja” vibe.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

Let me start with the good news: for someone who’s just 17, Alicja’s performance is impressive. Interesting tone, commanding presence, feeling the lyrics and showing all emotions on her beautiful face. Only her enunciation needs improvement. But then comes the song. I’m a declared fan of Bond themes, but I feel this one misses a dark/sexy touch to get there. It’s a decent power ballad, but not a song many will grow to love and remember, I’m afraid.

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Noone voting cares how old is she .-.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Not everything is about being voted. I was just praising her performance skills on such an early age.

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

It’s a competition though. We can appreciate her talent without sending her to represent a country.

GreenTea
GreenTea
4 years ago

Poland is Balladoland. 😉 According to statistics we usually qualify with ballads (My Slowianie is an exception), so after Tulia’s NQ I was pretty sure that next time we will send a ballad. It seemed a safe choice for us. But honestly I feel confused now. My biggest fear before today’s final was that Alicja’s song will be overdramatic and pretentious. And it is. I really don’t like this type of ballads, so I’m disappointed. I have an impression that she is too young for such a pathetic song. It’s not an entry for a teenager but for older person.… Read more »

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  GreenTea

And that should be our main goal? To qualify?

GreenTea
GreenTea
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

I didn’t write it. But let’s be honest – for our broadcaster is. They could do better but they don’t want to.

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  GreenTea

I know they don’t want to win, but at least trying to end up within top10 is too much to wish for?

GreenTea
GreenTea
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Of course not. JESC has proved our potential, so we have the right to require from TVP taking the adult contest more seriously, but this year’s choice shows that their way of thinking hasn’t changed.

Puff
Puff
4 years ago

Gosh. This ballad year needs more Cicciolina.

Puff
Puff
4 years ago
Reply to  Puff

Yikes what’s with the downvotes. Just saying a fun party song could do some good for this year.

John
John
4 years ago

Good song,and very very good voice. Alicja is amazing.

DALTH
DALTH
4 years ago

So basically a budget bond theme song. It is not bad by any means, but realistically Poland is just makeing up the numbers with this entry.

Joanna
Joanna
4 years ago

Alicja has many fans in Poland after winning the Voice of Poland. Considering the fact that she is only 17 (she will turn 18 in April) she has a pretty good and unique vocal. I think people voted for her because they wanted to help her promote herself and show her to a wider audience. I think that Poles, especially the generation over 40 love ballads and sad songs – such a mentality 🙂

Krzysztof
Krzysztof
4 years ago
Reply to  Joanna

About the generation stuff, maybe I’m different, but trance (and not even the vocal one) is what I love listening the most while being over 40, and house is the 2nd best, but that’s rather what lives outside of the Eurovision world (except the intro to ESC2016 grand final which I really loved – hearing a mix of SHM, Avicii, Galantis songs there felt so great). Ballads and sad songs period for me was rather between 10-25. However, a great sounding ballad with good vocals is still what I will usually vote more in Eurovision than a dance song (as… Read more »

Dio
Dio
4 years ago

Same here!

ESCFAN03
ESCFAN03
4 years ago

This song (as basis)is really good and her voice is so deep so natural so good!! Still have some things to fix like pronunciation,detonations, … But with a good production of the song this will be huge! My fav is that song so far thats obvious!

Lulu
4 years ago

Best song was chosen well done Poland

Vogzal Odessa
Vogzal Odessa
4 years ago

Just heard the song. Many essentially good ingredients make up for a meh-ish result: Alicja is a beautiful woman, she can sing and her deep, husky voice is very pleasant to listen to, The melody comes from the well known and largely appreciated Bond-esque musical universe. However, my biggest issue with the song are the lyrics – what eactly are they portraying and what is Alicja’s intimate attitude towards them? This to me is the weakest link in the song, alongside Alicja’s diction which she should really work on imo. PROS: Alicja is beautiful and can sing. CONS: The lyrics,… Read more »

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
4 years ago

Hnnng…I know she can’t can’t do anything about it but…I don’t like her voice. I had a hard time understanding what she was saying too….

Luk
Luk
4 years ago

Wow Poland congratulations
Alicja is beautiful
Song is unique amazing
Strong ballade
Poland is dark horse
Good luck Poland
TOP 3 Lithuania Poland and Belgium

Nicolas
Nicolas
4 years ago

20 seconds and I was already bored.

Marv
Marv
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Actually, Rise like a Phornix seems to be what alicjas song is trying to achieve concerning style and theme

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago

Gave 12 points for The Netherlands, so I’m cool with that.

Marseille
Marseille
4 years ago

So another screaming lady ballad. I hate to be that person, but this category is getting crowded fast. Lucy and Count on Me were both so much better, it’s a shame. Cleo’s face pretty much says it all lol.
I need my queen Sanja to come through and deliver the absolute bop that is Hasta la Vista and save us from falling into depression.

Milye
Milye
4 years ago
Reply to  Marseille

Preach

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago

I have no words. TVP should just choose her internally instead of this rigged preselection. I knew that she’ll win but I hoped that at least they will give her decent song. the worst one in covers + the worst new song + the worst vocal performance = wins both jury vote and public vote Song is boring and she can’t even sing it well. I can already see massive damage control saying that she can improve vocals, make up with staging or revamp song, but if this is what positive comments say, you know that this is bad. “It… Read more »

Kinga
Kinga
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

As always I agree with you 100%

Count on me
Count on me
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawid

Yeah. Go sleep. You don’t have any idea about singing and music. She sang very well. She is so talented.

Dawid
Dawid
4 years ago
Reply to  Count on me

I would be happy to be as delusional as you are. Must be fun

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
4 years ago

Austria was 4th in televoting and 11th overall in Polish voting.

xohxoh
xohxoh
4 years ago

This is so Tamara Gachechiladze – Keep The Faith.

Franky
4 years ago
Reply to  xohxoh

That song stayed in the semi because it’s just such a killjoy of a song. This is kind of the same. It’s unlikable.

sam
sam
4 years ago

this is just not good… i thought i’d like poland’s entry for once but this disappointed me so much. albert should’ve won