Welcome to the penultimate Saturday of national selections… we’re almost there! This evening — 29 February — sees the ante pick up again after a small lull last week.
Here are all the details you need for 2020’s eight Saturday of national selections. We’ll be checking in with semi-finals in Portugal and Serbia, Sweden’s second chance round and finals in Iceland, Estonia, Moldova and Croatia.
You can follow all the results on wiwibloggs (and via our Twitter@wiwibloggs and Instagram wiwibloggs) throughout the evening. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening, when it’s on and how to watch.
Saturday 29 February: Eurovision 2020 Selection Shows
Estonia’s Eesti Laul 2020
Grand Final
Time: 18:30 CET to 20:00 CET and 20:30 CET to 21:45 CET
Estonia’s national selection kicked off a fortnight ago when two semi-finals whittled down the 24 entries to just 12 finalists. Tonight’s result will be determined across two rounds of voting. The first will see three songs sent to the superfinal through a combination of jury and public vote. The second round of televotes alone will determine the winner. Names to watch include Uku Suviste and Jaagup Tuisk.
Click to Watch Eesti Laul 2020 Grand Final
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Moldova’s Finala națională (O melodie pentru Europa 2020)
Grand Final
Time: 19:00 CET to 22:30 CET
Moldova’s Finala națională was rumored to be axed. But yet here we are with 20 songs to choose from in a three and a half hour grand final. As usual, the results will come down to a combination of jury and public votes. The selection boasts many familiar names, including Eurovision veterans Pasha Parfeny (2012) and Natalia Gordienko (2006).
Click to watch O melodie pentru Europa Grand Final
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Sweden’s Melodifestivalen 2020
Andra Chansen
Time: 20:00 CET to 21:50 CET
Melodifestivalen 2020 is fast approaching its conclusion. But before the grand final in Friends Arena, we must first see who progresses from the second chance round. Across a series of duels, four acts will progress to the final. FELIX SANDMAN, Paul Rey and Malou Prytz are among those competing. In addition to the regular proceedings, this week’s episode has an extra 20 minutes to accommodate the Hall Of Fame celebrations. Several iconic performers are returning, including Loreen, Alcazar and Måns Zelmerlöw.
Click to Watch Melodifestivalen 2020 Andra Chansen
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Croatia’s Dora 2020
Grand Final
Time: 20:05 CET to 22:15 CET
Croatia’s revived national final format returns for a second year. The show will see sixteen acts perform in a bid to represent the country at Eurovision. The decision will be made by a 50/50 split of public and jury vote. Big names include Lorena Bućan and Indira Levak.
HRT’s streaming platform is difficult to use for first-time visitors, so we recommend you follow our step by step viewing guide. Click here.
Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin 2020
Grand Final
Time: 20:45 CET to 22:15 CET
Iceland is still recovering after the spectacular trail of chaos left by Hatari. And while this year’s selection is a more sedate affair, there are still gems to be found. The final will see five acts perform and two rounds of voting. After the first stage, the juries and televotes will select two acts to progress to the gold final. One of the two will be crowned the winner, with the televote having the final say. If the hype proves to be accurate, Daði & Gagnamagnið and Iva should be the last two standing.
Click to Watch Söngvakeppnin 2020 Grand Final on RÚV.is
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Serbia’s Beovizija 2020
Semi-Final Two
Time: 21:00 CET to 23:30 CET
Serbia’s national selection kicked off on Friday night, with the first six acts progressing to Sunday’s final. This evening will see another 12 songs performed, half of which will qualify. There are several heavy hitters, but all eyes and ears will be on Hurricane — the superstar girl group which counts Serbia’s 2016 singer Sanja Vucic among its members.
Click to Watch Beovizija 2020 Semi-Final One
RTS’ streaming platform is difficult to use for first-time visitors, so we recommend you follow our step by step viewing guide. Click here.
Portugal’s Festival da Canção 2020
Semi-Final Two
Time: 22:54 CET to 00:55 CET
Portugal’s Festival da Canção 2020 continues apace. And once again it’s an eclectic mix. Tonight will see eight acts compete in the second semi. Four of these will go on to the final. Dubio feat. +351 are the act with the most buzz.
Click to Watch Festival da Canção 2020 Semi-Final Two
For additional viewing instructions, click here.
Which show will you watch? Let us know in the comments.
I agree Kady and Jimmy were my favs!
I agree that Jimmy, Kady and Elisa played on a different league tonight. Still rooting for “Cegueira” to get the final spot, but their performance wasn’t good.
Wow.. I love Jimmy P
Daði even lifted the curse of the unwanted start no. 2! Well done!!
3 songs to go yet and I believe Kady and Elisa already got their tickets to the final. I’m fearing for “Cegueira” too.
That was… uncomfortable. And what about the “Thank you” in the end? I guess he was very nervous.
Did Iceland pick someone yet?
…
I just love Iceland. They are even holding their final in what looks like a warehouse.
Hahahaha, had the exactly same thought here!
Not even close. But I liked that he tried something different.
There’s only one Achille Lauro <3
Well, it looks like Iceland is going to go for dadi because Iva did not make it to the super final. To be fair, I did expect dadi As a possible winner to represent Iceland at your vision, but I would be shocked if it’s Dimma
Because Hasta la vista babeee 😀
But I liked Niti and Lift too
Oh god, tonight is a whole mess 😮
Technical difficulties, robbery, fans meltdown. It’s just chaotic
Songvakeppnin having lots of technical difficulties tonight…oof…
Yet netflix financed them?
Dora videos are taken down from Youtube for now.
If you really can’t wait, they’re up on the broadcaster website (Just scroll down):
https://hrtprikazuje.hrt.hr/586474/dora-2020-izbor-hrvatske-pjesme-za-pjesmu-eurovizije-2
Make have some playback issues. I could watch all of them if I just kept refreshing.
Anyone else still find it off-putting that Dadi didn’t compete last year because he didn’t approve of Israel hosting? Just me? OK.
Idk.. I don’t like his childish vibe at allll…. I prefer Dimma tbh.
Oh my god… This night is getting worse every minute..
I was just watching and after hurricane I was like two nobodies notbfamous at all here in the balkans this will be bad, but then Niti came and it blew me away, wish either them or Hurricane win just please no Andrija Jo that is baddddd
I hope the Serbian broadcaster to be a little faster with their uploads to Youtube.
At least they’re 100% going to.
I still don’t trust Moldova to put up anything other than their winner, DESPITE the fact that their live stream was unwatchable for half the songs.
I’m shocked. It’s Dadi x Dimma in Iceland, Iva is out.
Wikipedia must’ve called it early. Iva didn’t even make the superfinal? Are you KIDDING?
Sounds like Iva’s staging tanked her chances. God, what a shame.
I saw that coming, Iva might be good life, but they wasted a chance with the staging. The crown and staff were more distracting than anything else and the backdrop didn’t really build up the magic it should.
Dadi was obviously good and Dimma did really improve since the first semifinal.
I’m very surprised too. Hatari must have shocked all Iva Fans :). And Iceland is a rock country 🙂
Dimma for the win yeah!
So, now we just have Iceland. Gonna go out on a limb and say Iva and Dadi are in the superfinal?
Wikipedia says Dadi took it. Can’t say I’m totally surprised. I liked it too. Some fans are gonna be really mad, though. Guess the real question now is if Oculis Videre or Beautiful Lie will win Second Chance 2020.
Who cares for that second chance sh^t… cant believe this…
Of those two, absolutely Dadi. My keyboard doesn’t seem to like Icelandic letters.
OK. In which case, I prefer Daði.
Because they’re good but the stage and production of Beovizija is just plain bad
Croatia what have you done….
Iva’s face expressions are the best thing in Iceland 😀
Damir Kedzo won the televote with Mia in 2nd place. They tied, but it seems the televote has the stronger hand. At least, he was celebrating, until the Croatian broadcaster geoblocked the streaming.
He should be. Wikipedia says he won! Haven’t been following Dora so I don’t know whether or not this is a good thing.
He won, Eurovision’s Twitter confirmed.
Don’t know anything about him. Did see that he was a juror for Croatia back in 2016, and he was the only juror that not only had Ukraine in his top 10, but put them in first place. So at least he’s got good taste?
Well, his performance hasn’t caught my attention at all tonight. I’ll have to watch again to come with a opinion.
That’s not a good sign. Might be the second time all the former Yugoslav countries miss the final unless North Macedonia picks another great song and Serbia picks a decent one.
The sky is blue. Water is wet. “Prison” is the Moldovan entry.
Is it any good? Didn’t listen to it ?
It’s fine. It’s Kirkorov.
Oh no
I said “fine.” I didn’t say “good.”
Moldova weren’t necessarily stacked with options this year. Pasha would’ve at least been fun.
(I did kinda like “Scream” and “My Lucky Day” though. Love, no, but I liked them fine.)
That moment when a children’s choir sings “Hate will prevail” lol
Children love Hatari. Hatari said so!
pretty sure prison is gonna win
Same deal as My Lucky Day: if you’re the poorest country in Europe, getting the services of one of Russia’s biggest songwriters seems like a good deal.
but lucky day was actually one of my guilty pleasures, not sure what to think of prison tho
My Lucky Day was at least knowingly silly. Moldova’s good at that. Prison is fine, but when there are far more Moldova-specific options, I’d take one of them. (Are Pasha or “Dale Dale” still in it with a chance?)
Dora: Mia won the regional juries, Damir 2nd, Indira 3rd, Aklea 4th, Colonia 5th. Waiting for the televote results.
Half of them are up already.
Nothing outstanding, to be honest. It was a decent show though.
yea ehm moldovita aint winning, jury aint loving em….
Saw that one coming. It’s two slots, right? Who gets the second?
Ah, OK. Still figuring out how Melfest works.
So glad Felix made it. Malou’s vocals ruined it for her so I’m not mad. Great final Sweden.
Uku will still qualify out of the weaker semi, I’m not really worried about it (Although I preferred Jaagup). Imma just say now that we’ll likely have all the baltic countries back in the final.
Lithuania for sure, Latvia maybe, Estonia I wouldn’t be so sure about.
Latvia is one of the stronger non-ballads in there (especially considering her vocals) so thats why am I less worried about Latvia. And last year I hated Estonia but they got through with the most basic sh*t anyway… sooooo yea that’s my reasoning 😛 (Lithuania doesn’t need to be discussed I think)
Funny thing is neither of the baltic entries is that good this year imo. Latvia I think will be a surprise nq. Lithuania will qualify for sure. As for Estonia I really hope it fails cause it would be so unfair to take another country’s spot (it clearly is a bad entry no matter how you look at it)
Latvia’s chances are still up there. I think it’s their best shot since Justs, anyway. We really just need to see who else gets picked. Now it looks like all the especially strong ballads (save for Albania and Poland) are in semi one and most of the bops (save for Israel and Lithuania, and possibly Ireland) are in the second semi.
I think there are many ballads to come in the second semi to be honest
Well, with Uku going for Estonia semi 2 got significantly even weaker 🙂 I was worried about Albania qualifying but it seems like a piece of cake now
Yesssss!! Thank you Estonia. My favourite won. Lovely evening 🙂 Now Daði in Iceland please 🙂
Well, they had a safe shot at the final in Estonia. Now it’s significantly rockier. I wish Uku the best of luck, but I’m much less confident for them now.
Oh, Estonia… And that’s why I don’t like superfinals.
I’m quite surprised with the result tbh, I really wanna see the full televote results now
Uku? His song is dreadful
and it’s good news for KEMAMA
I desperately want Czech Republic and Albania to qualify so Estonia did me a favor tbh
CR would’ve qualified anyway. Albania I still am not sure about.
I feel like right now Albania is better than any semi final 2 song except for CR and Latvia
I like CR and Poland the best so far, but Iceland could soon change that.
If Iva wins it will rocket to my favourite semi 2 act
So, Croatia: I guess Colonia and Mia Negovetic (this girl is very talented) are their most Eurovision-friendly options, but if they want to stand out, Aklea Neon is different from anything we’ll have in Rotterdam. Lorena for me is in the same situation as Monika Marija: I really want them to go to Eurovision someday and correct 2019’s mistakes, but their 2020’s entries are below their skills.
How does Tanel Padar sound better now than when he won Eurovision?
I don’t like any of the superfinalists in Estonia, can they send Karl-Erik instead?
Song 14 in Croatia and we finally have something decent!
Like London buses. There’s another one.
Uku, Jaagup, and Anett x Fredi to the superfinal
Jaagup I could see reaching the final. The rest I’m not so sure about. Uku could be this year’s Jurij Veklenko.
Yay for Annet & Fredi making it! I just hope the televoters don’t pick Uku. Jaagup still seems like the safe option for qualifying.
just getting in for eesti laul, what did I miss? I’m seeing koit and socks right now
Something about talismans? Don’t ask me. Anyway, televote just ended, so we should be getting our final three soon.
OK, ignore what I said before. Anett x Fredi first, Jaagup second, SHIRA still third. I THINK that’s the end of the jury vote.
So happy for Anett x Fredi, maybe they have a shot at winning after all.
So… they really made it? Jury voting is over?
Sure did. Uku Suviste fourth. Poor Laura currently last.
Oh, but there’s still the televote, right? I hope the Estonian audience give them enough points to move on to the superfinal.
Jaagup is still my favorite.
I like Jaagup too, but we were all expecting him to qualify, right? While Anett & Fredi have been pretty much overlooked by the fandom, that’s why I’m rooting so much for them.
Uku hovering in fourth makes me think poor Shira is going to miss out.
Jaagup won the jury vote. Annett x Fredi second, SHIRA third. Now on to the televote! (Also: shout-out to Prince Charles Alexander, NYC represent!)
Wait, no. Not sure we’re done yet.
Wow, the Estonian juries have good taste. My three faves in their Top 3!
Egert Miller got Finland’s 12.
Anett x Freddie are making a sprint!
Wow. Kimbra’s a judge! I know her!
If these first five songs of Dora are anything to go by, maybe they should go back to internal selection? 😉
Dora stream is working well for me in Chrome. Kept stopping and starting in Firefox for some reason.
Using Chrome too and the streaming is working very well. On the other hand, still can’t log to the Serbian broadcaster site.
It was a very well behaved edition of Eesti Laul. I missed some anarchy, if you know what I mean. My superfinalists would be Jaagup, Anett & Fredi and Egert. Jaagup will probably win it, but there are singers with big fanbases and the final voting comes just from the audience, so we never know.
Lovely version of Storm performed at Eesti Laul 🙂
I was commenting about Estonia in the last Estonia poll post, but I will switch here for a change-up:
So far, all solid performances. Lots of fun with camera angles. Synne got smoked out (Oops).
Uudo sang in a higher key than before (interesting), and Uku’s staging was on point.
However, I haven’t personally felt a winner yet.
Update: Jaagup Tuisk should win with that performance and choreography, surely.
Plenty of good songs, but that performance is already Eurovision-ready.
Egert is my second favourite so far. Just Laura to come.
He was very charming. I’m sure Georgia would score him well regardless of whether or not his song was about them.
Rumours abound that Uku Suviste has a huge following in the voting that can’t be beaten, but let’s see what happens.
That sounds good as it’s my favourite :). I found Jaagup Tuisk absolutely horrible.
Does anyone have an alternative link for the Moldovan Final? It somehow doesn’t work, does it?
Even the alternative links I found are freezing all the time. I’ve tried, Moldova.
https://youtu.be/gJve2368aR0 but it freezes
I agree, that was really sweet! Considering Victor is otherwise occupied, it was a really nice tribute. Plus, this time everyone sounded really good in their parts. I have high hopes that, since the production in the finals is more refined, everyone will sound better. 🙂
EDIT: Yup, I was right. Rasmus was fantastic! Hopefully Shira will be too.
Shira was good, but they are all at a similar “good” level. What makes Jaagup Tuisk stand out is that the choreography is excellent.
Melodifestivalen will be epic