On May 14, under normal circumstances, the second semi final of Eurovision 2020 should have taken place in Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam. But we all know why we weren’t there. But instead of dwelling on that, Iceland has held its own alternative Eurovision show“Okkar 12 stig” (Our 12 points) and the results are in!
From a field of 15 finalists, chosen last Tuesday, Iceland voted again. They expressed their grande amore for Italy’s Diodato by awarding him their 12 points. Russia’s Little Big and Lithuania’s The Roop came second and third.
The result was determined by a clear-cut televote. Profits from the show will go directly to a special fund dedicated to those battling Covid-19.
Iceland’s 12 points: The results
12 points – Italy
10 points – Russia
8 points – Lithuania
7 points – Denmark
6 points – Bulgaria
5 points – Sweden
4 points – Azerbaijan
3 points – Switzerland
2 points – Austria
1 point – Netherlands
The 15 countries that “qualified” on Tuesday were introduced by using postcards from previous Eurovision contests. Although they didn’t include this year’s contestants, it was a nice touch to make the TV experience more closely resemble the real thing.
RÚV’s alternative Eurovision show was glamorous from start to finish. It was hosted by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir, who has presented Söngvakeppnin on more than one occasion, and the singer/songwriter Jón Jónsson, who, despite the last name, has no relations to Ragnhildur Steinunn. However, he is the older brother of Frikki Dór, who so memorably sang his way to second place in Söngvakeppnin 2015 and accompanied María Ólafs on stage in Vienna. That’s Iceland. Small and everyone has some sort of ties within.
Many familiar Eurovision faces were seen during this grand 90-minute celebration show, including Klemens from Hatari, who performed an acoustic version of “Arcade”, the president and first lady of Iceland (or Daði and Árný as Icelanders call them), and even comedian Will Ferrell!
The star of the upcoming Netflix movie Eurovision made an appearance to give out the Icelandic douze points. This was a rather good band-aid for those who had been looking forward to watching Daði og Gagnamagnið take the stage in Rotterdam.
Diodato accepted his award with a video message saying, “Thank you so much for your support. We have to stay naked under a waterfall and spread the love.”
The show ended with Daði singing “Think about Things” from his home in Berlin, and he was joined in Iceland by dancers, the Icelandic government and the real president, Mr. Guðni Th.Jóhannesson and his wife Eliza Reid, who danced their hearts out, wearing the mandatory green sweaters. Joy and fun, despite a nasty cancellation.
What do you think of Iceland’s results? Do their Top 3 match yours? Sound off below!
So if Ferrell did this, its pretty clear he would have announced the Iceland jury vote on the night. There was a lot of hype going into Iceland 2020 so I’m kind of pleased that in the end, it go no reward.
I´m supprised that Norway didn’t get any point what so ever from Iceland.
So glad a song without a silly dance is scoring well. Maybe Iceland are feeling some remorse over inflicting Think About Things on the rest of Europe.
I don’t understand why we could not vote by phone. So many good songs this year
Well deserved! I am sure Italy would have been top 5 had the contest taken place.
This would be (or could have been) the 2nd time Italy wins Televote in Iceland after Il Volo’s iconic win over Mans.
Diodato and his song deserves it
What does “We have to stay naked under a waterfall and spread the love” mean?
open to interpretation
He’s a man of very strange phrases. In his virtual hug video, he said that his potatoes were ready.
Ok, he has become my idol after this.
Great choice for their 12 and yeah, Russia are doing pretty well in these votes, even in the Western countries.
Norway is doing bad in these Nordic votings. No points in Iceland or Sweden.
Not surprised about Denmark being the opposite. “Yes” was for locals.
This year has even more winners than 1969.