The first day of second rehearsals at Eurovision 2022 have come and gone. Albania’s Ronela Hajati opened the day by twerking for freedom, and Portugal’s MARO closed the day by taking us to another realm with her beautiful song and colourful staging.
In between we saw Latvia (an intense man split), Lithuania (silver, sparkly everything), Switzerland (gorgeous old-world movie projections), Slovenia (big disco ball), Ukraine (allusions to motherhood and the power of perseverance), Bulgaria (rock concert vibe), The Netherlands (a vast black expanse with gorgeous beams of light), Moldova (a hot mess of colour), Croatia (pink dress), Denmark (bold colour blocking), Austria (an industrial-sized halo) and Greece (melting chairs and an overall beautiful stage show).
But who impressed you the most? You can scroll through our homepage to read our reviews of and watch our reactions to each act. You can also view the official 45-second teases released by the EBU in the posts.
Ronela posted on her twitter another video of the performance.
It’s groundbreaking guys!!!
https://twitter.com/RonelaHajati/status/1522301410330783751?s=20&t=-RSso7FXb-meTUx3KsxY_w
This one looks waaaaay better
So far, singers who love Saudade saudade and have Portugal as a favorite: Rosa Linn (Armenia), Mia Dimši? (Croatia), Citi Z?ni (Latvia), Konstrakta (Serbia) and Vladana (Montenegro). The first three have already covered it!
My impression based on clips. Counting in the whole semi 1: – Norway and Greece stand out in terms of top notch songs paired with top notch performances and stagings. Kings and Queen of semi 1. Nothing more to add. – Portugal is slowly becoming a bigger threat for the top 10, or perhaps even for the win (and if that happens, Briekimchi will proudly become the author of one of the boldest predictions ever to come true). The staging is just WOW! A definite qualifier. – Netherlands is a song I love, but the staging concerns me. I believe… Read more »
It may be a good sign that so far five singers love Saudade saudade and have it as a favorite: Rosa Linn (Armenia), Mia Dimši? (Croatia), Citi Z?ni (Latvia), Konstrakta (Serbia) and Vladana (Montenegro).
Where did you find that info? Would love to have access to it, if possible.
Did you see Ronela’s last tweet? She seems really discouraged and she wrote to turn off the tv during her performance…
The amount of hysteria on the internet is crazy. Dispite minor issues with the cameras it is still an amazing permormance and it drew a lot of attentiton, trending everywhere on yt. Im sure it will be iconic on the semi.
I saw it and it breaks my heart to see artists struggling during this beautiful journey. Eurofans are sometimes so rude and disrespectful, they base their opinion on a 20 sec rehearsal video. Its a shame, so many uneducated people out there! Ronela I know you will slay, the eurofans are 1% of 200 million viewer!
Based on the small clips and a surprise to myself I went with Bulgaria. It seemed really elevated and the lead singers voice was insane!
soooo trueeee… this is the word. totally cheap
The camera angles and shots it’s very important to make a performance look fierce and good in Eurovision.
Do you guys think that the production want 2 to save the best camera angels and shots in the Semi?
I remember esc 2019 when Israel was the host and I was so disappointed on the camera work in 2nd rehearsal but in the semi/final it was totally different and fierce.
Do you guys think that is a tactic for not revealing to much?
Ronela’s camera angles/shots REALLY do her a disservice, but her vigour and fieriness make up for these inexcusable slip-ups. On the other hand, Amanda impressed me with her live vocals, it feels great when artists serve on-point notes. She could be SF 1’s Jury Winner without doubt (I hope so, anyway :D). Besides Albania and Greece, S10 (The Netherlands) and Kalush (Ukraine) were my additional standouts. I just adore how absorbing Stien’s voice is. It enthralls both viewers and listeners from beginning to end, regardless of her forgettable staging (this somehow disappointed me ngl). Using Kalush’s silhouettes as floor visuals was a clever move, even if that… Read more »
Some thoughts: Albania: Nothing I’ve seen so far is very encouraging, but we haven’t seen yet the most commented moments of the performance, so let’s wait and see. Latvia: With all those guys in bright colors popping all the time on the stage, who can even see the so-called rainbow of death? Lights seem too bright though. Lithuania: As I commented yesterday, Monika IS the staging. Considering Cinan and William weren’t as enthusiastic about the 1st rehearsal and gave good remarks about the 2nd, I hope she’ll stand out after 2 very hyperactive entries. Switzerland: I’m sorry, but I found… Read more »
Victoria was a 3 minute flat thing. Here we have a totally different situation with Greece, it’s a whole story or a modernised version of ancient tragedies and even in these seconds we see wt least one epic moment.
The a cappella, the big note, the bridge, all can be big moments. Based on the snippet, the camera work still has to improve, but the same could be said about all the clips from yesterday.
Best is hard to pinpoint but both of my favourites (Greece and Portugal) looked really good here. So I’m happy.
I don’t really think many countries are having “bad” rehearsals. Austria, Switzerland and Albania all were probably in a better position before we saw them on stage but there’s still time.
Have you seen the betting odds? Greece will never beat Ukraine as they will have such a televote advantage in semi 1
Honey do you really think EBU will make a contest in a country where current is war? Hahaha this odds are just crap
You simpleton, they’ll hold it somewhere else
I think there was no very good performance today. They were either okay, boring or terrible. Okay: Slovenia – what a nice surprise, they brought the song to life. loved it Netherlands – very stylish, she proved she does not need lasers to have an amazing performance. Albania – camera angles need huge fix, but the choreography is very nice and i can feel the energy coming before and after those seconds of the rehearsal. Latvia – Great vocals, positive energy, i think they might break the curse of 2nd spot and qualify, Boring: Greece – she tried to bring… Read more »
How did you earn all of these likes with such negativity towards almost… everything, teach me your ways, lmao.
Real fans are pissed while greek stans are asleep (besides one of them)
Also the song is a ballad and talks about separation. The director had three pillars in mind that he would like to show through this amazing singer: The loss, that’s why Amanda is alone on stage. The absence, that’s why we see in video the memory of her partner (in the video uploaded by Eurovision we do not see this, we will see it live in the semifinal). And wear, which is why the chairs are melted.
imo Greece has the best overall package, Lithuania is the most improved (props for overcoming the whole mess) and Bulgaria pleasantly surprised me as well.
I’d say Greece easily had the best overall package in the rehearsals today.
Otherwise, Moldova’s experience and competence shows and Bulgaria benefit hugely by not needing to worry about the stage crisis affecting others – I’d go as far as to say that Bulgaria had today’s most compelling, cohesive staging that even succeeds in making the black hole look like a vinyl that was always meant to be part of their show.
They should make it a rule that only two out of Norway, Albania, Austria and Latvia can actually qualify, at most. Would be unfair to leave Lithuania and Iceland behind at the expense of those.
Wtf?
Iceland and Lithuania are sure qualifiers, don’t worry 🙂
Sure grandma, lets put you back to sleep…
Greece gave me bog time goosebumps. It climbed directly to my top. I hope the rest go the song will look so powerful.
I do love a bog time goosebump!
Best songs in this semi: Netherlands, Greece, Portugal
Best performance in this semi: Greece
I would go with Albania, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Ukraine and Austria, still don’t connect with the greek song it leaves me totally cold and I find everything in the performance very cold. Portugal, I find the staging too dark for a song with these kind of vibes. Denmark I still like their great energy but the song is not really my cup of tea. Lithuania, charismatic performer, staging is too simple, the song not enough powerful, but I still like her vibe. Latvia, fun guys, the song is fun too but not my taste at all. Bulgaria they elevate on… Read more »
So Albania, I like Ronela and this ethnic sound. The Netherlands, I still like her vibe, even if the staging is a bit of a disappointment. Slovenia, I like them since the beginning and their staging is great. Ukraine, their staging is so beautiful and well thought. Austria, in love with their staging, and the song is great. Now if I had to choose between all the countries who have already rehearsed who I’d love to see winning, I would say, Norway, Poland, The Netherlands, Finland and Austria. Waiting for tomorrow and the big 5 to see if it will… Read more »
Portugal becoming an ESC Powerhouse and I’m here for it! Such underrated country, looking forward for their future entries!
I think Netherlands, Ukraine and Greece are dead certain locks, and I also think we’ll be able to add Norway and maybe Armenia to that tomorrow. All the other lines are kinda blurred, Albania has a fantastic song but the camerawork was horrible. I think Austria sounds better than before and the staging is great but the mixing with the background vocals needs to be better. Portugal is also quite impressive but I’m not as certain as others seem to be, it’s followed by quite a few similar entries. Latvia, Lithuania, Switzerland and Bulgaria (imo) and Denmark all had great… Read more »
Greece was great but it won’t be top 3 with the public in the final. Juries will love it.
I can’t believe Lumix chose Pia Maria for the vocals of the song, I mean I bet there were beeetter options in Austria.
Switzerland is cute but it won’t do much.
Latvia could overshadow Albania but the song remains stupid.
Lithuania is awesome but I think it’s borderline.
Portugal will sail to the final. Fingers crossed they don’t test positive.
Lmao France 2021 was 2nd place jury and 3rd place televote. So, it’s VERY possible for Greece to finish top 3!!
I’m still fastinated with Amanda performance
fascinated*
Amanda’s
Objectively, main favorites for win are Ukraine, Sweden and Serbia..Ukraine because war invasion, Hold me closer because it represents Sweden although this song one of high quality songs of this year and Serbia because full package, concept, message, authenticity, sincerity, lucidity…In corpore sano WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN!!
Lol the reasons I-
I’m so sorry but it’s true…
“Ukraine because war invasion”? NO BECAUSE OF THE SONG!!!
Theirs song is for top 5 but fot the win…Don’t pretends to be crazy, we all know to have a huge support (which is absolutely normal) because they can come to win…
Ukraine and the song was one of my favorites even before the war. A song will not win Eurovision because of sympathy votes.
Ok, I’m glad…Be honest, don’t try to collect a many likes by writing what others want to hear…Ukraine’s entry hasnt’t capacity to be a winner…
I dont try to collect likes? One of my other comments on another post, has so many dislikes, because I dont share the same opinion as others. Im just saying that this is actually a good song, and people who don’t like the song just use the war as an excuse for it to do well.
It sure will. I think if Alina Pash wasn’t DQ they would have won fair and square, but now, they will win because of the sympathy votes, probably.
Why are so many people still talking about Alina Pash? Kalush Orchestra won the televotes in Ukraine – so I still think they are the real winners. A song will never win because of sympathy votes. Of course someone will give sympathy votes, but the majority will not
I really hope so.
Omg these Serbian stans ARE HILARIOUS!!! ??? They will literally sell you poop and say it’s caviar!
WE WILL WINNER, IN SPITE OF YOU!
Off topic: I hope Cinan is okay If he heard news about Hurricane!
Hahahaha bravo…
Hurricane is falling apart…
They will no longer be a group from november,they are doing one last tour..
They want to start solo
Latvia is growing on me and I think they will qualify. At least I hope so. Moldova is really bad, I don’t think they’ll make it. Lithuania could go either way. Borderline. Albania flopped. Greece is good, but I have to see the full performance. The Netherlands also dissapointed me a bit, but ofc they are a sure qualifier. Portugal is awesome, a bit too dark. Ukraine grew on me, but i still don’t see them winning it all. Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria are just not making it, I’m sorry. Denmark, Switzerland, Austria weren’t bad, they could maybeee qualify. Pia Mia… Read more »
I’m sorry, Pia Maria lol
I think that Greece failed to surpass own stage performance from last year, this is much weaker, but will be in final for sure and then top 10…S10 is one of my favs for win but i think that she has too simply and ordinary stage performance, her live performance with red lasers and red-blue lights is much better and contemporary…Albania is still horrible, very messy, bad vocal, confusing coreography,bad camerawork…Maro is very good but somethng is missing..
I found Greece’s staging last year to be awful haha, but they did come 10th so clearly people liked it. I prefer this more simple approach of Die Together.
Stefania’s perfomance is more demanding, this is a easiest to do…
I agree, but not with the part about Greece. We still haven’t seen it in the full, and I don’t think it needed the extra help from staging, unlike Stefania last year.
Honestly I prefer much more Greece as the winner of ESC 2022 than Sweden, but I just can’t see Greece winning ESC with something not ethnic.
Why? Why can’t Greece win with a power ballad in English? If you can recall last time they sent something ethnic many fans were screaming they will place top 5 and what happened? 14th in the semi honey.
The best rehearsal is the one that will make the next one better.
Agreed. As a musician, I can’t stand it when everything goes perfectly in the rehearsals, because it tends to mean that something unexpected will go wrong in the actual performance!
The reason they exist is for things to go wrong. The worse the rehearsal the better
True
It will still be better than if they’d all just turned up on the 14th and discovered it then. It might even help some countries, like Romania, who might actually use their imagination now instead of relying on pointlessly awful lyric-flashing.
Can someone tell me why Deban is M.I.A. this year?
I don’t know, but he did speak today on the YouTube livestream, because Suzanne called him and he was put on speakerphone. It sounded like he was on a bus and that he misses everyone. I miss him too.
On a bus?
He was “in transit” at the time, and it sounded noisy. So not necessarily a bus, but it was the closest assumption.
Well he was missing last year too, so I’m guessing he’s probably not attending the event for safety reasons due to covid
I don’t remember him being in Rotterdam either. It can be hard to take two weeks off real life.
…real life? I hope you ran that kind of nonsense by the committee.
If I add the word “obligations” to the end of my sentence, would that make it better for you?
I’ve ran it by the committee, and they also recommend taking the “real” out.
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?
I think the committee makes excellent points as always.
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong (my memory is terrible) but I remember them saying something on a Youtube live very recently that Deban could only be in Turin for one week and because they have a very limited amount of allocated press accreditations they decided to give their accreditations to those who can be in Turin for the whole 2 weeks.
Bulgaria is the only correct answer.
Greece was breathtaking, Ukraine looked beautiful, Portugal once again had that wonderful relaxing charm, Latvia was pure frenzy and i loved it.
Overall however, I believe that the outsiders of this semi-final are better prepared than the favorites. For example, Bulgaria did an incredible job, compared to Moldova, who are now facing early elimination. Same goes for Albania, who may now struggle to even snatch a borderline qualifying place.
VERY POSITIVE: Greece (my biggest grower since the rehearsals started), Denmark (everything is on point, with this energy they’ll be fighting for the 8-10th spot)
POSITIVE: The Netherlands (I just need some details to finally make it explode), Portugal (good energy, atmospherical), Bulgaria (staging is on point even though I still don’t like the song), Switzerland (the staging clearly elevates an otherwise boring song)
NEUTRAL: Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia
NEGATIVE: Austria (vocals…), Albania (messy camera work, too much energy, vocals…), Slovenia (amateurish but cute)
VERY NEGATIVE: Croatia (no connection between the different elements)
Day 5 wasn’t perfect, but it was better than Day 4. Ukraine impressed me the most, but their presentation is hampered by the arch. Greece have a the best dramatic moment so far, in my opinion, so that’s another front runner. Bulgaria was the biggest improver today, for me. Croatia worked very hard and should be able to peak at the right time. Biggest disappointments: Austria (oh dear). And, The Netherlands (although I am assured that this went very well on the ground, and that it was only that the footage that wasn’t great). Could be a bit better: Slovenia… Read more »
Great to see so many giving Bulgaria due appreciation today. I’m not keen on the song either, but I agree with you, their staging has given them a huge boost. They really rock the stage, and only the most churlish Eurovision fan would deny Bulgaria that. I just wish they had a better song.
Portugal gave me such winning vibes. Love what they did with the stage!
winning vibes? are you serious?
Are you?
I am not.
Im dead serious that Portugal is not a winner hahahah
Portugal can’t win but it sure is strong.
Yea I see many people overrate Portugal. Its hilarious.
I don’t think it’s hilarious people can think what they want. I think Serbia can win but the odds and most fans don’t agree with me so eh.
I dont think Serbia can win, but I hope it will do well. Konstrakta is so iconic, and the song is so catchy.
Serbia will jump tomoroow on the bookmakers after second rehearsal and Konstrakta has winning vibe!
I dont mind if she wins, but I dont think she will. I like Serbia this year
Portugal CAN win.
In your dreams
Maro is for top 10, i would like…
Guys, I was born in the 90ths, so I remember the Eurovision era with Ruslana, Zeljko Joksimovic, Sakis Rouvas, Helena Paparizou, and Sertab. Those huge early powerhouses… believe me Gen Z generation this is the worst stage from the beginning of 2000. Even with the kinetic sun still is a disaster and a huge mess.
Off topic but when are the Big 5 rehearsals?
Tomorrow will be their first rehearsal alongside Armenia, Iceland & Norway’s 2nd as well as Finland’s, Israel’s, Serbia’s, Azer’s, Georgia’s, Malta’s and San Marino’s 2nd.
According to the schedule, all of the Big 5 have their 1st rehearsals tomorrow (Thursday 5 May), from 15:35 until 18:45, local time. That’s gonna be some hard work. 🙂
Thanks folks. Be interesting to see how they sound and look on stage with the black dome/doom.
Thoughts on today’s songs with preliminary predictions: Albania: I was never a fan of this song and in my opinion the staging is not very successful. The camera angles in the exclusive clip felt off. And the vocals were not on point either. Prediction: it will qualify (but I think it will be right hand side of the scoreboard). Latvia: The song is also not to my liking but the staging is well-made, even if it is almost the same with that of the national final. I like the variety of colors and the saxophone solo is epic. Prediction: it… Read more »
Great notes!
I think both Greece and Ukraine have proven why they should be in the talks for taking that trophy home next week while Austria proved the polar opposite. However my biggest let down was actually Albania, because at least with Austria I expected a disaster but with Albania I expected a high level performance and I didn’t see that today. Albania are still a Q in my book ATM but they are not a dead certain Q anymore.
Stage looks so cheap, don’t get the sun in the middle… Would work better if this sun had LCD with lights… Expected so much more after watching few season of their The X Factor. ..
It’s a weird semi final. I’m starting to believe that a TOP 4 in this semi final will not result in a victory, and will be no guarantee for a TOP 10 spot in the Grand Final. GREECE: Will be TOP 2 in this semi, but like Australia 2019 and Bulgaria 2021 it will falter. The staging is superb yes, but song-wise it still falters. 7th – 12th in the Grand Final is possible. NETHERLANDS: The same as Greece I think. It’ll be one of the highlights of this semi. And WHY is the Dutch broadcaster picking the worst footage… Read more »
I liked Switzerland and Lithuania (and excluding my country ofc).
So I would like to share my current predictions for SF1. With SF2 I’m still very conflicted but with SF1 this is what I have in mind ATM. Now I did take several big risks and unexpected turns as ESC always has those and I went with what I thought makes the most sense for me as of right now. I would love to hear opinions, objections and everything in between in the comments. These are my Televote prediction: 1. Ukraine 2. Norway 3. Greece 4. Latvia 5. Netherlands 6. Armenia 7. Moldova 8. Albania 9. Portugal 10. Lithuania 11.… Read more »
For anyone who downvotes or upvotes please leave a comment as to why because I want to hear others’ opinions.
Here are more probable results for this semi from an objective view based on precedent:
televote:
jury:
overall:
Thank you for your notes but I strongly disagree with a lot of this. I cannot see the juries putting Switzerland that high and I cannot see the public tanking Latvia that hard. The people at home have no reason to vote for either Switzerland or Croatia. Iceland isn’t really being talked about much but I can see some public love. Also Austria ranking above any of the acts with the jury doesn’t make sense to me considering how horrid the live is. I can certainly see Moldova and Latvia tanking with the jury but Austria will be below them… Read more »
I respect your opinion however, Switzerland is a lock for top five in the jury, i personally prefer netherlands and portugal however i see switzerland being ahead of them in the jury voting, so it’s likely second in the jury. the casual viewer will certainly vote for switzerland and croatia more than eurofans and latvia will be close to last in the televote since it’s second in the running order and it’s musically terrible. also, i wouldn’t take the eurofans’ reactions as any indication to actual televote support since portugal in 2017 wasn’t really popular with the eurofans however sweped… Read more »
Do you think that Greece has more chance of beating Ukraine in semi 1 than in the grand final ?
I doubt that Greece could overcome the Ukraine televote advantage
I mostly agree with your view ! Very nice analysis !!
I would just tone down the enthousiasm for both latvia and Moldova. I cant see both to the GF but i do agree, they re building some momentum !
Thank you! I personally don’t think I put them anywhere that is that unrealistic. Frankly if only one makes it, out of the two Latvia is stronger but they can both make it. They could also both NQ LMAO. They could come 10th and 11th with the public and bottom 4 with the jury for all I know lol.
Also I feel the hyper songs might benefit from SF1 having so many slow tunes.
Up to now I think I fully agree with your predicted top 10! My only debate is about Latvia. I am conficted on who I think will be the tenth qualifier.
The way I see it is that I see a lot more people saying they think Latvia will Q than Iceland, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Denmark and Slovenia which Latvia will certainly pass in public votes as well as passing Moldova in public votes and Lithuania, Armenia and Portugal potentially as well others maybe. If the juries wont tank them too bad they could end up 7th-10th which is the range of Q I think they will fall in. ATM it’s on 7th.
I think Iceland might pick up some love. Definitely from the juries and possibly from the televote. Keep in mind it is going after Austria so their vocals will sound even better.
On the other hand, I’m quite concerned about Lithuania. It is going on very early and there really isn’t much of a talking point in regards to the staging. Not to mention that they have lost a good chunk of their diaspora friends.
But apart from that, I agree with your with your qualifiers.
I certainly think Iceland may make it yes and I am very worried for Lithuania but I am hopeful her professionalism will attract enough juries and her charisma will attract enough televoters to advance.
Greece, Netherlands and Portugal.
Also Denmark, but I think I’m alone on that one.
My complete top-17 of the 1st semi-final of “Eurovision Song Contest 2022” (before live show)- spoiler: you will never find Albania or Austria 🙁 : *MY QUALIFIERS:* *1. Iceland* – “Með Hækkandi Sól” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (REHEARSAL: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 30/30)* *2. Norway* – “Give That Wolf A Banana” (SONG: 10/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 10/10) – (REHEARSAL: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 30/30)* *3. Greece* – “Die Together” (SONG: 9.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9.5/10) – (2ND REHEARSAL: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 29/30)* *4. Lithuania* – “Sentimentai” (SONG: 9.5/10) – (STAGING/VISUAL EFFECTS, OUTFITS: 9/10) – (2ND REHEARSAL: 10/10) *–(OVERALL: 28.5/30)*… Read more »
Forgot to add Croatia’s name at #16, oops.
Greece, Portugal, Netherland
Greece, Portugal and Ukraine were for me the best of the day !
A bit disappointed on the Moldovan and crotian video.
I also liked a lot latvia for once ! And i Hope slovenia will sail through GF with this nice but not groundbreaking staging (:
Greece ! I also like The Netherlands and the energy of Latvia !
I mean is this even a question? Lol
It really is a question
Greece for sure as this will win this semi and possibly the whole contest, the second best today was Ukraine, tons of love to our ukrainian friends, we love you!