We’ve had eight days of first and second rehearsals. And now that they’re all finished, it’s time to reassess our Eurovision 2021 favourites. Who has risen up your rankings and who has fallen by the wayside? It’s time to cast your vote one last time and let us know who should win semi-final one of Eurovision 2021.
Eurovision 2021: Semi-final one line-up
The 16 semi-final one acts range from old school pop bops to modern dramatic ballads. We’ve got quirky disco and dramatic chansons. Gospel, hyper pop and dream pop all feature. However, only ten of the 16 will make it out of the semi-final on Tuesday.
- Lithuania: The Roop “Discoteque”
- Slovenia: Ana Soklič “Amen”
- Russia: Manizha “Russian Woman”
- Sweden: Tusse “Voices”
- Australia: Montaigne “Technicolour”
- North Macedonia: Vasil “Here I Stand”
- Ireland: Lesley Roy “Maps”
- Cyprus: Elena Tsagrinou “El Diablo”
- Norway: Tix “Fallen Angel”
- Croatia: Albina “Tick-Tock”
- Belgium: Hooverphonic “The Wrong Place”
- Israel: Eden Alene “Set Me Free”
- Romania: Roxen “Amnesia”
- Azerbaijan: Efendi “Mata Hari”
- Ukraine: Go_A “Shum”
- Malta: Destiny “Je me cases”
Precisely who will qualify is anyone’s guess. But who do you want to see make it? You can watch snippets of this year’s first semi-final second rehearsals in the playlist below. Then vote for your favourites in our poll. You can vote for as many contestants as you like, but you can only vote ONE time, so make it count.
This poll closes, just ahead of the first semi on Tuesday. It’s up to you, Europe. Start voting now!
Who should win semi-final one of Eurovision 2021?
[crowdsignal poll=10833140]Who did you vote for? Who will win? Who should win? Let us know below.
I think Ireland is the big dark horse of the eurovision
Agree. 100%! Those that have seen the full effect of their performance have rated it high and indicated it is very memorable for voting time. I don’t see it challenging at the top but it will qualify.
Oh I hope so…
Okay so I dont know why but my comments find themselves in a limbo waiting for moderation so… Good morning guys and Happy Eurovision week! We’ve waited SO long for this to finally happen, I wholeheartedly hope that every performer gets to actually perform live on the semifinals, I’m sure they will! As we all know, this semifinal is a literal bloodbath so Don’t worry if your country doesn’t qualify because all of them did a great job and, according to my view, at least 15 of the 16 songs should go through, and I’m gona be a wreck after… Read more »
Cyprus is among the certain qualifiers, but I *could* see Sweden with the shorter end of the stick, perhaps. Not likely, but possibly. Norway is likely making it, but he could miss out too. I hope Croatia is qualifying too. I am daring to even predict this outcome.
”Ukraine or Russia should win this semi, but they probably won’t.” – Yeah… 😉
Elena’s vocals, good looks, slick choreography, and 2nd spot on the betting odds say otherwise. I mean, Cyprus is my cca. 7th of this semi, but I would be genuinely surprised if it ends-up outside of the actual top 5. But I am curious to find out. 😉
I thing Ukraine or Russia may win this semi.
In my other scenario and if Roxen sing well the final order could (not my personal preferences) be:
1.Lithuania
2.Romania
3 Russia
4.Ukraine
5.Isreael
6.Malta
7.Cyprus
8.Ireland
9.Azerbaijan
10.Croatia
11.Belgium
12.Norvege
13.Sweden
14.Slovenia
15.NM
16.Australia
How isn’t it a bloodbath when only one country is a safe NQ?
And I agree about Croatia and voting allies. I was super happy when I saw that Italy and Germany are voting in our SF insted of UK, Spain qnd France.
Yes, Russia and Ukraine are best
Good morning guys and Happy Eurovision week! We’ve waited SO long for this to finally happen, I wholeheartedly hope that every performer gets to actually perform live on the semifinals, I’m sure they will! As we all know, this semifinal is a literal bloodbath so Don’t worry if your country doesn’t qualify because all of them did a great job and, according to my view, at least 15 of the 16 songs should go through, and I’m gona be a wreck after this lol. So, my PREDICTIONS (which, of course will be wrong) are: 100% Qualifiers MALTA: I still think… Read more »
This top would be fine. This semi is a bloodbath the draw stacked semi one and two is of a lower standard.
The ten that I would keep (in alphabetical order, because I don’t really have a preference): – Australia: The song is super effective and Montaigne a singer as charismatic as she is talented. – Belgium: Class and bewitching, like all Hooverphonic’s universe. – Cyprus: it sounds like already heard but it’s one already heard well packaged. – Ireland: There is something very pure in Lesley’s voice, and there is something “motivating” about the song. It’s the kind of title that bring up your spirits. – Malta: ça passe… Ou ça casse. It’s very dancey and great for partying. But the… Read more »
My favorites are Cyprus, Croatia, Slovenia and Lithuania.
Israel’s Eden rehearsal was amazing!!! She hit that notes so effortlessly
I think Croatia will be a surprise. In the semi-finals, if she does what she should and enters the finals, she winner the finals 🙂 I am in Poland and I like Albina and Tick Tock much more than Cyprus, Malta or Greece.
Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Israel, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Romania, Russia and Slovenia. The rest are MEH, especially the always overrated Sweden, Australia and Ukraine, while North Macedonia, Ireland and Belgium are just weak….
always overrated , sweden yes, but australia and ukraine , no.
Malta, Cyprus, Ukraine and Russia.
Personally, I’d want Russia to win SF1. But I think Malta has the widest appeal, despite the staging being very underwhelming. This one I can’t call.
This is looking quite ahead with who I think will Q for the GF and not taking into consideration of next weeks’ first and second halves for the GF but my running order would be:
Iceland, Italy and Malta in a row ? No way!!!
Then Iceland 20th, 21st Croatia, 24th Italy and 25th for Norway. Some of the heavy hitters will have to come one after the other at the end of the running order and The Netherlands have 23 locked in from beforehand so not many “favourable” spots left.
My revised running order
Croatia that late.. where do I sign?
Lithuania already opened the semifinal, they won’t put them first, if they’ll draw First Half. I’m 100% sure UK will open the Final…
Considering the snippets, Malta, Russia or Ukraine should take the crown of the SF1. Cyprus seems to have the best staging — SJB had obviously not putting her best efforts to work with all her clients — but Elena sounds like she’s vocally shaking. So till tuesday night, I don’t think that Cyprus would win its semi.
My prediction in alphabetical order
The most unlikely one on this list is Ireland, followed by Croatia. Sweden will reach eighth place.
Yass Ireland is my Winner ?
I’m a bit scared that we (croatia) don’t flop hard. There was a lot of hype (at least at home) about Nina in 2016 and we flopped hard that year.
Fellow Croatian here. Our journalism is usually so annoying. They tend to hype-up our acts beyond reasonable measure, and then tear them down. It highly depends on what you’d consider by *flopped hard*. We qualified, surpassing several other contestants, including great songs from Estonia and Iceland. I’d personally call that a moderate success, not a flop. And objectively, I expect only a tad better result this year. If we qualify, I’ll be happy. If we finish within top 20, the better. Based on the odds, anything above that is a bonus, not expected. My prediction is 15th-20th in the finals,… Read more »
Based on the odds, and my gut feeling, now I’ll say that the qualifiers will be – MALTA, LITHUANIA, CYPRUS, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, CROATIA, NORWAY, BELGIUM, ISRAEL, SWEDEN*
My personal qualifiers – UKRAINE, RUSSIA, BELGIUM, ROMANIA, LITHUANIA, NORWAY, CYPRUS, CROATIA
The last two spots are between MALTA, IRELAND, AZERBAIJAN, and AUSTRALIA, and it’s hard for me to decide. Ask me after the semi. 😉
Something tells me Sweden are out, though I won’t be surprised if they do qualify
Same. Thinking about it, there is a lot of competition to gain jury votes (Malta, Belgium, Israel, Cyprus, Slovenia, even Australia), while I don’t see televoters going overwhelmingly for it. Tusse is still awesome, but the staging surprisingly looks a bit less polished than it did in Melfest, and the song might be forgotten between the uniqueness of Russia and Australia. Still, something tells me he’ll likely go through. But if he doesn’t, I wouldn’t be as shocked as I assumed.
To be honest, there is way better songs in that semi that would normally miss out because of Sweden’s automatic qualification status.
So honestly, this year I think it should happen. In the interest of music and keeping the competition fair.
Strictly based on music, Sweden should probably sit this one out. A good result of that might be a wake-up call for the juries in Melfest to vote less safe. But I would be sad for Tusse. I don’t want him to feel like he wasn’t good enough compared to other Melfest winners, cause that’s not the case. He is just as good. I hope his carrer wouldn’t suffer.
Oh I agree. After their last (and only NQ) in 2010, they massively upped their game in 2011, then won in 2012 with probably the most iconic Eurovision song of the last decade. I think the same would happen again if they NQ this year. Otherwise it will be the same safe song every year.
I agree here. I just suspect that the Swedish artists are held under even more pressure to achieve a top ten result than average. For instance, I think that the Brits would be okay with James finishing 16th or so.
But, sure, some artists like Roxen, Montaigne, and Lesley have waited even longer than Tusse, plus they have stronger entries, so in that regard, them going through would be even better.
It is not at all certain that Sweden will go to the final just because it is Sweden.
We have exactly the same prediction and thoughts about this Semi Final, but I am only 100% sure with Malta, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and Cyprus.
My personal qualifiers are quite different though.
I’m going to tread carefully here – but I’m very curious as to why MALTA seems to fade in many people’s estimataion (I never really cared much for the song, but that’s not of any importance here.) Hence I’m trying my hands at an ANALYSIS – and I’m convinced the explanation is about much more than just a dress and the staging. My feeling is that the fuss about the stage concept/pink dress etc. has cheapened the initial statement that seems so appealing to so many (a decent song, a good voice, and a girl with an attitude). The whole… Read more »
I think it comes more to that live version and performance didn’t live up to the hype of studio version and people didn’t see it live and as a whole package until now and it’s becoming obvious that some lives from before are better (France, Italy) and that some studio versions elevated the song more than Malta (Cyprus).
unpopular opinion aka this comment is getting heavily downvoted :
Croatia’s song isn’t that special. albina has great vocals, no doubt, but it’s a generic and basic song imo.
If Cyprus can finish in the top ten then so can Croatia
Cyprus is both generic and basic
I am Croatian and I can agree that song isn’t anything wow. What makes it wow is her staging, her presence and the fact that Croatia sent something that no one was expecting and weren’t ready for from Croatia and people are living for it.
Same thing with Moldova and Sunstroke project. Song is meh, but staging and saxophone elevated it high.
in terms of staging, yeah! i am proud of croatia 🙂 !!
Croatia is going to do far better in the TV vote than most people anticipate ; I could even see it finishing in the top 10 in the final … it’s a good song and Albina just oozes sex appeal
I think Croatia may be pulling an Eleni Foureira. I’m not sure about Israel qualifying. I’m rooting for neighboring Cyprus. This is simply excellent! Russia is gonna go really high in the final. This girl is made out of the right materials. I don’t see Ireland qualifying. It’s not pleasant on the eyes/ears. If Tusse weren’t from Sweden he would be out of the game in the odds. Sweden is keeping its powerhouse status in recent years thanks exclusively to the juries. The viewers have been done with Sweden long ago. Malta is not going to win, not even the… Read more »
Malta is very likely to win the Jury vote in semi final 1but I could see Croatia or even Cyprus winning the TV vote
Croatia won’t win the televote. It’ll qualify but it won’t win the overall televote, not when you have Cyprus, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine and I hate to say it, but Malta, in this semi who stand out more and will definitely be ahead of Croatia.
Personally Croatia isn’t all that, but I do think they’ll qualify. But there’s no way they’re winning the televote.
They are as good as Cyprus and there’s a good chance that Cyprus will win the TV vote ..Litth/ Ukraine and Russia are not that good … Russia is about the best of them with a good chorus line
That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to hold it, though I don’t think they are as good as Cyprus.
There’s no way it will be ahead of Ukraine, Russia and Lithuania though.
The 5 countries I mentioned in my first comment will be the main vote grabbers of this semi.
Cyprus and Croatia have sex appeal ; the others don’t
It’s not about sex appeal, and sorry but if you think that’s what matters, I think your watching the wrong show.
Absolutely.
Like let’s forget all these hardworking artists and song writers because…SEX.
This!
I never said it was solely about sex appeal but it obviously contributes and gives an artist an advantage ; would Germany have won Eurovision with Sallitite if the singer had been 30 Lbs overweight ?
SEMI 1 PREDICTIONS (not my wish list – far from it!)
(in alphabetical order): Belgium, Croatia, Cypros, Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Malta, Romania, Russia, Ukraine (yes, that’s right – no Sweden and Norway)
I almost have the same prediction, there´s only Sweden instead of Israel….
Which may well be the case!
I see Manizha as the Winner!
My TOP 5 after 2 rehearsals
1.Cyprus
2.Belgium
3.Lithuania
4.Ukraine
5.Australa
My prediction TOP 5
1.Malta
2.Cyprus
3.Ukraine
4.Sweden
5.Russia
Malta be default. But it won’t win overall, and all the other favourites are either in semi 2 or the final.
I hope the most to see in the final- Romania, Azerbaijan, Australia, Slovenia, Belgium, Russia…
I dont mind most of the songs other than Cyprus.
I don’t understand why they downvoted you. Hope this one like helps a bit.
I still have hard time seeing Malta in the top 3 of the televote.
Malta’s song and staging an awful mess
You can judge Malta song next Tuesday not from watching a snippet.
Loving Cyprus this year. Do not like Malta. The singer is lovely but the song is a skip.
Yes, I loved Malta last year, but this year is such a disappointment. Destiny deserves better! And Cyprus is really good.
Be patient.inly two more days and then you can judge Malta song.
This is a tough one and quite a toss-up isn’t it? Fact of the matter is I think more acts deserve it than who will be able to qualify.
Too true!
Croatia biggest surprise, but probably Ukraine or Lithuania will win this Semi
Has there every been a semifinal opener that won the semi final?
Yeah, we had Norway in 2018.
I hope so, these two are the best songs in this semi final !
Till the first 2000 votes , Cyprus was leading over Malta. Now it’s not even close.
If I had to choose, which one I definitely want to see in the final, I‘d choose Ukraine. Everything completely fits in this song and every band member bringing in their part makes it feel like a complete song.
And of course I can‘t wait to see them perform with Kate back on stage.
Voted for Ukraine. Other faves from this semi are Russia, Belgium and Romania.
I hate to say it but I think Lithuania could be in trouble. I don’t see massive jury support for it and I am not sure the televote will pull through strongly either.
It has been on my mind as well. While everyone is saying that Lithuania is a guaranteed qualifier, I want ask them will they vote for it to make it happen? It’s gotten an indifferent reception by the general fanbase, despite its fans, and while it was the right choice to open the show, semi final 1 openers generally don’t have a great qualifying track record (only 4 out of 12 contests from 2008 to 2019–basically just one third). Even if it qualifies, it might be outclassed by other entries. I’ve already accepted that Lithuania isn’t going to win, but… Read more »
I wouldn’t be too worried about it if I were you. Lithuania has got Norway, Ireland, and Germany voting in the semi which is basically a guaranteed 3×12=36pts(the first two because of diaspora and the latter because the roop are proving to be extremely popular among germans!). They are bound to get some neutral votes as well as “Discotheque” really stands out A LOT from the perspective of a first time viewer. The juries also reward originality, and we know the roop have that in SPADES. Honestly, should they make it to the finale (which they certainly will), they will… Read more »
I hope they stick expectations and do surprisingly well, but also keeping them moderate so that I don’t get too disappointed.
If so it would be a big blow to the professional credibility of ESC – Lithuania is not my personal favourite but I truly appreciate that these guys are real musicians and are serious about their music (other prime examples are of course Portugal and Belgium). We need them there!!!
If you really want Lithuania to do well, vote for them.
I’m not rooting for anyone anymore…
May the best 10 acts qualify! We will see who they will be!
Cyprus or Malta will win the first place. Malta has a great running order reminding me of Cyprus 2018.
Manizha is my the one and only true winner. Besides entertainment she almost makes one cry in chorus, throwing back to joy since it cures the pain. What a genius she is – underlining that there’s no chance to be better just by criticizing but by accepting. ‘Be ready for change, because you are the change’!
This!!!
Malta all the way even the final .
Forza Malta
If someone like Azerbaijan or Norway take Ireland’s spot in the final, Eurovision 2021 just might be ruined for me.
I’m sooo scared for Ireland, they really deserve to do well this year!
Agreed, totally this!
Ukraine should win the whole thing. But if that’s too much to ask, it should at least win the semi.
Who should? Imo Russia or Ukraine.
Who would I want to win (do well and win)? Romania.
Who will win? Malta
Belgium, Romania and Norway deserve to qualify 100 times over instead of the disgrace served by Israel, Malta and Croatia. That horrific braid dress is such an abomination.
The only abomination here is you with your hatred.
People really should stop overusing the word “hate/hater”. Geez, try to say you don’t like a dress and you’re suddenly full of hate.
I wasn’t referring to the dress comment but “disgrace” comment but since you’re here let me teach you a lesson hun.. that braided dress is part of her ethiopian heritage and saying it’s abomination is hateful or spiteful.
I clearly, as anyone with a head on their shoulders can see, have not offended her culture, nor have I said anything about her heritage, her looks or whatever you want to see. I respect people’s ethnicities, their culture and the vision of it on the ESC stage. That’s why I love it all. Stating something untrue is in fact, very disrespectful to me. It’s okay for you to voice your opinion, but not for me? That’s what dictators and Incels think. I’m sure you’re not one of those. Manizha’s outfit or Tix’s, for example, are nice, that’s what I… Read more »
Dude u just envy, Eden is so beautiful and look Amazing so keep envy !!!
Exactly. What’s with all the drama? It’s a competition. We can have our favourites. It’s a game, no hard feelings…
Peace to you.
Dont talk about Eden, you are poor thing and maybe a racist too.Eden is a queen and her outfits are beautiful!
You should be removed , how very rude
Rude how? I absolutely wasn’t rude, I just don’t like the same as you and that’s really okay, because we’re not robots. Chill out, girl! Have a nice day.
Oh Marion, step into the light, that dress is exceptional and astonishingly fabulous!
Agree , Marion is just envy i mean Eden is so beautiful and look gorgeous on stage..i see the comment to her and everyone wrote her how beautiful she is.
I really want Australia, Belgium and Ukraine to go through. I’m sure the other countries like Malta, Russia etc. will make through, but i really really want these three!!!
Australia and Belgium are so underrated. It’s really sad. It’s like people prefer cheap shows instead of class again. I had such high hopes after Salvador winning…
true that. I like montaigne because hyperpop is genre not common to esc . and for Belgium, the band used to specialize in trip hop, until they started other genres as well . they’re so interesting as compared the generic ones like Cyprus and Malta etc. (no hate to them , just my opinion)
Tik tok
To all you music experts out here talking about Romania: 90% of people watching esc are seeing the acts for the first time then and know nothing qbout how they sound in studio version. Roxens vocals are nothing to die for but they are certainly not garbage as yall make it seem and people home are not judging vocal abilities but voting for the songs that they like overall. So please chill with your music expertise. Love from Croatia.
Tell this to Sennek
With Sennek, vocals were fine, but the whole staging concept felt bland and uninspired.