Picture: LRT

Semi-Final 2 of Eurovision 2023 has been written off by many as the weaker of the two semis. But if you tilt your head and look at the show from another angle, perhaps this is the more exciting semi-final because of its relative weakness. Countries that have struggled to make the grand final in recent years have a shot to sing their way to Saturday. This semi feels wide open and all 16 artists will want to make the most of that opportunity.

This all leads to one very big question: Who do you think should win? And who are your 10 qualifiers? Vote in our poll down below to let us know.

Eurovision 2023: Semi-final one line-up

Running Order

During the semi-final allocation draw, the sixteen countries were drawn into the first half or second half of the semi. Producers are now deciding the precise running order based on making the most interesting show (considering things like visual flow) and also practicality (the time and difficulty of moving acts and their props on and off the stage). 

First half

Armenia — Brunette

Belgium — Gustaph

Cyprus — Andrew Lambrou

Denmark — Reiley

Estonia — Alika

Greece — Victor Vernicos

Iceland — Dilja

Romania — Theodor Andrei

Second half

Albania — Albina & Familja Kelmendi

Australia — Voyager

Austria — Teya & Salena

Georgia — Iru

Lithuania — Monika Linkyte

Poland — Blanka

San Marino — Piqued Jacks

Slovenia — Joker Out

Who should win semi-final one of Eurovision 2023?

But we want to know: Who is your winner? And which 10 countries do you want to see qualify for the final? Support your ten qualifiers by voting in the poll below. You can vote for as many countries as you want, but you can only submit your votes ONE time. Be sure to click the box next to each country you want to support before hitting submit.

 

So who did you vote for? Who are your ten qualifiers? Let us know in the comments box down below!
 
 

“Wild Dances: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision” (out May 9) is available for pre-order now.

“An uplifting memoir about glitz, glamour, geopolitics, and finding your people, no matter how far you must travel, Wild Dances celebrates the power of pop music to help us heal and forgive.”

168 Comments
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Loree.nl@hotmail.com
10 months ago

Gogo belgium

E butterworth
E butterworth
10 months ago

Australia – voyager

Without a question of a doubt out shine every other country. It’s the year of metal synth to conquer.

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
11 months ago

My current qualifiers and placings

  1. Austria
  2. Cyprus
  3. Armenia
  4. Slovenia
  5. Australia
  6. Lithuania
  7. Estonia
  8. Georgia
  9. Denmark
  10. Albania
Im so fab
Im so fab
11 months ago

The weakest semi final ever. For now, I don’t feel like any of these songs has winner material, even to win a semi. But someone has to come first, I guess.

Chessguy99
11 months ago

Hard to say without seeing at least a clip of the rehearsals to see what type of staging is being used. Typically, the most visually fun presentation wins the semifinal televote, with 2022 being the exception. That being said, I could see Georgia winning if they have those “ninja” dancers with some exciting choreography. Slovenia with some hyper lighting could contend for the top. Austria has potential for some eye-catching dance sequences which could vault it to first.All I can say is you must have some sort of visual pop to do well this year.

Syl
Syl
11 months ago

Definite NQ are Poland and San Marino, most likely Romania too, even though I’m one of his few fans lol. Albania too, although I really like the family vibe. That leaves one NQ spot, which I think will be between Greece, Belgium, Iceland and maybe Australia….although I really hope not, they’re one of my favourites. Denmark will quite likely get through, kids will vote for that.

Music Lover
Music Lover
11 months ago

Armenia is good this year. You want to listen to it again and again

Bibs
Bibs
11 months ago

I think clear winner is Georgia there, top 3 with Slovenija and Armenia

Nikola
Nikola
11 months ago

My prediction Sure Q 1.Austria 2.Armenia (potential winner of semi 2) 3.Georgia 4.Slovenia Should be Q 5.Estonia 6.Lithuania 7.Iceland 8.Cyprus Borderline (more likely Q) 9.Australia 10.Greece Borderline (more likely NQ) 11.Denmark 12.Belgium 13.Albania Sure NQ 14.Poland 15.Romania 16.San Marino This semi is harder to predict than semi 1. First four nations should get through without problems with Armenia as potential winner. And behind them I see two Baltics, Iceland and Cyprus. And for last two places will be battle. I think that is more likely to see Australia and Greece through, but Denmark, Belgium and Albania has their chances (I… Read more »

Lala
Lala
11 months ago

I would swap Australia and Belgium with Greece and Albania. I think Australia doesnt have a chance without juries support, same with Belgium.

Dawid
Dawid
11 months ago

For me countries that will qualify no matter what are:
– Austria,
– Slovenia,
– Armenia,
– Lithuania,
– Iceland,
– Albania.

Other than that, almost anyone could get in based on performance. Like, i wanted to say Cyprus/Georgia too, but if they can’t sing at all live, then they’re not going through.

Countries that i think are safe NQs are San Marino and Romania.

Dawid
Dawid
11 months ago

It’s televote only, so i think it’s toss up between Austria and Slovenia.

Hector
Hector
11 months ago

No idea how to explain the chokehold Austria has on me… poe poe poe poe

Tom
Tom
11 months ago

I think Poland will close the show and sail through

Jamie
Jamie
11 months ago
Reply to  Tom

Close the show? With those vocals?

asdfa
asdfa
11 months ago
Reply to  Jamie

I mean, Blanka’s winner’s performance was actually not that bad. In almost all of the other performances, they all also had weird vocals, so the mixing was probably the root cause on why Blanka sounded so bad in her official performance.

Jamie
Jamie
11 months ago
Reply to  asdfa

Yeah the playback performance was not that bad. Literally look at her lips in that video. They are not even moving a lot of times lol

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
11 months ago
Reply to  Tom

even my favourite last year (Emma Muscat) couldn’t qualify, and she has better vocals

this one is far bigger cliché of all cliché’s, spoiled girl with very rich parents, mommy being a model too in many catwalk shows and her bulgarian daddy being a big wig businessman in szczecin, owns quite a few businesses there + having such a condescending unlikeable personality, i really feel bad for Jann and i’ve grown towards his song Gladiator more, after what the comment on social media she liked basically one mocking him how he is from a poor family

Thomas
Thomas
11 months ago
Reply to  Tom

Blanka lacks personality, energy and vocals

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
11 months ago
Reply to  Thomas

It´s on the same very low level like Switzerland 2004 (0 points with only televoting)

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Tom

No, she should open. Maybe not the show, but the official results video of ”Top 16 of Semi 2”. 😉

Nikita Zhukov
Nikita Zhukov
11 months ago

I am more or less sold on 9 qualifiers (in no particular order):
1. Slovenia
2. Austria
3. Cyprus
4. Lithuania
5. Georgia
6. Estonia
7. Armenia
8. Australia
9. Iceland
I’m gonna guess Belgium for the 10th spot but Denmark could also get in
San Marino, Poland, Greece, Albania and Romania probably NQ, but we’ll see

Poncho
Poncho
11 months ago
Reply to  Nikita Zhukov

I don’t see Estonia and Iceland qualify in a Tele only semi tbh

Nikita Zhukov
Nikita Zhukov
11 months ago
Reply to  Poncho

I think quite a few people are fans of Bridges and Power
I don’t see these two acts being knocked out in THIS semifinal

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago
Reply to  Poncho

Estonia *should* qualify by any means even in an only televoting format. She reminds me a lot of Tamara Todevska who finished 7th at televoting in a much more competitive semi with Duncan Laurence, Keiino, Sergey Lazarev and Luca Hänni among others. Singing in the first half obviously doesn’t help, but I don’t think there’s so much quality in this semi for Alika to miss out on the final. I’m not sold on Diljá yet. Song is nice although a bit repetitive, but the main issue for me is her vocals and the fact that she doesn’t really fill up… Read more »

Franky
Franky
11 months ago
  1. Austria
  2. Australia
  3. Slovenia
  4. Cyprus
  5. Armenia
  6. Cyprus
  7. Estonia
  8. Georgia
  9. Belgium
  10. Iceland

Really awkward semi-final to be in. I only like Austria and Australia and Slovenia. The rest are somewhat of a struggle with varying degree. Though I do have a soft spot for Iceland and Estonia. Adding in the no jury voting and this will be incredibly difficult to predict!

Franky
Franky
11 months ago
Reply to  Franky

Oops I put Cyprus twice.

4. Cyprus
6. Lithuania

Misha
Misha
11 months ago

No particular order, the ones that should qualify for me are
Cyprus – Albania – Georgia – Romania – Lithuania – Estonia – Denmark – Austria – Slovenia – Australia
In this case, I was doubting between Cyprus and Armenia, but I choose Cyprus cuz if he could sing LIVE those high notes, could be a worthly qualifier. I know Brutnette is a favourite among fans and it’s good the use of Armenian language but at least het studio version doesn’t catch my whole attention.
Everybody hates Romanian and Danish entries this year but I find them catchy

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago

My faves from this SF are Slovenia, Armenia and Austria, and I think anyone else (except for Poland and San Marino) has a chance to make it through 🙂

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
11 months ago

Come on! Why is the fandom sleeping on Australia?!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago

Because Voyager promised us that everything’s gonna be alright. 🙂

Gka
Gka
11 months ago

Do people really think that greece is not gonna qualify? Cyprus is gonna give 12 points, Denmark is also gonna give points to Greece because Victor is half Danish, then San Marino and Albania and Armenia always give points to Greece because they are neighbors regardless the song Greece sends… so please stop saying that Greece won’t qualify

Gka
Gka
11 months ago
Reply to  Gka

Also you know that Greece always sends innovative stagings. So you already know Greece will probably have a good staging that will potentially elevate the song… I know there is a lot of hate for Greece but I am just trying to be realistic

Teddi
Teddi
11 months ago
Reply to  Gka

I love your positivity. Keep it up. However, no way in hell will Greece qualify.

now that i see the light
now that i see the light
11 months ago
Reply to  Gka

Armenia is not Greece’s neighbor

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago
Reply to  Gka

Greece won’t qualify. It’s simply not good or memorable enough to make an impact. Neighbour voting never saved a mediocre song and I can’t see what kind of staging can elevate this one.

Dawid
Dawid
11 months ago
Reply to  Gka

There are no jury votes and you can’t Control televote

Jofty
Jofty
11 months ago
Reply to  Dawid

I would not be 100% sure of that

Dane
Dane
11 months ago
Reply to  Gka

lmao Denmark will not give Greece points just because he is half danish

Jack
Jack
11 months ago

I’m struggling to get excited about this semi final, there are some amazing vocalists but most of these songs are nothing special. I like Austria and Slovenia the most. I really hope that the live performances in Liverpool will improve some of these songs for me.

Elfi
Elfi
11 months ago

top 5:
1.Armenia
2.Slovenia
3.Romenia
4.Greece
5.Austria

the others are just “whatever” to me!

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago

It’s a very varied Semi, with lots to cover.
Austria might be bringing the best “parody song” ESC has ever had. It’s brilliant, I’m happy to see how popular it is. 🙂
Obviously I’ll be voting for Estonia, because I’m “piano predictable.” I also like the songs from Greece, Cyprus and Georgia. But I get the impression that the qualifiers here might come down to the popularity of the artists rather than the songs.

Devito
Devito
11 months ago

People are sleeping on Lithuania. That’s understandable though, as the studio recording is too autotuned for my taste either. I prefer Monika’s performance on the final night, she was faultless and sounded fresh compared to the studio recording, where I cannot even recognize her voice. Fingers crossed it won’t cancel itself with Estonia, Iceland, and Georgia showing the power of voice too.

Lala
Lala
11 months ago
Reply to  Devito

Her live performance at the NF was amazing, so heartwarming and impactful. I hope she will keep backing singers on stage with her, instead of prerecorded vocals.

elly
elly
11 months ago
Reply to  Devito

Lithuania is in my top 10! I really like the song, especially the Lithuanian touch in cores:)

Phil Foster
10 months ago
Reply to  Devito

I can’t stand autotune: such damage has been done, as it permeates modern pop music. Except hip-hop – but that’s another (nightmare-inducing) story!

Sab
Sab
11 months ago

I only like Austria poe poe poe poe poe therefore i’ll also cheer for my own country go belgium who i’ll guess will open this semifinal

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
11 months ago

i only really like five songs in this semi….it would be cool to see slovenia top it i guess? it would be cool to see them possibly get one of their best results this year

Jo.
Jo.
11 months ago

watch poland qualifying for these people’s dismay

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago
Reply to  Jo.

I hate to say but I’m afraid this will happen. The song has a hook and bad vocals might be overlooked by the televoting if the staging is decent. Undeservingly so but it’s a likelihood we need to accept.

Craig
Craig
11 months ago

This is one of the weakest semis I can remember there being for a number of years.

James
James
11 months ago

So this is totally unrelated but idk where else to post this. Is anyone else getting these super offensive banner ads about “bringing Jesus to Israel”??

MaryFT
MaryFT
11 months ago
Reply to  James

Those ads are also popping up on my screen! What the hell is that about?

Devito
Devito
11 months ago
Reply to  James

I use browser Brave to not see ads, so no. 🙂

Thallo
Thallo
11 months ago

A pretty weak semi-final overall.

Austria and Slovenia are the only clear qualifiers in my opinion, the others could be hit or miss depending on staging.

I really hope Belgium qualifies, I’m tired of Gustaph being underrated.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
11 months ago
Reply to  Thallo

i’d say Australia is solidly in there as well imo

Jay
Jay
11 months ago

I do not get this Slovenia hype .. it sounds like sonething I’ve heard before

Thallo
Thallo
11 months ago
Reply to  Jay

It’s a good song, they can perform live, it’s in Slovenian and the cute lead singer will charm the entirety of Europe. I can’t see why it wouldn’t be a clear qualifier.

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago
Reply to  Jay

When I first listened to Slovenia I thought that this is a nice song but nothing special indeed, and it didn’t really grip my attention until I watched the live performance. Their energy is infectious and the band oozes charm and talent so I’m now convinced that not only it sails through to the final, but this is a dark horse for a Top 10 finish. Juries will probably love this one too – it’s very well written and performed and this is exactly what juries like to reward.

Vicci
Vicci
11 months ago
Reply to  Jay

Many songs look like others we already heard before, some of them are even favorite to win the contest. Slovenia is great!

Alex
Alex
11 months ago

Georgia and Armenia for me. just managed to listen to Austrias’s song. if they manage to replicate this live then it gets to my favourite list as well

Vicci
Vicci
11 months ago

All for Austria, Slovenia and Estonia

Vicci
Vicci
11 months ago
Reply to  Vicci

AND Armenia

Markymark
Markymark
11 months ago

by far – Austria – this year we know all will work good – they got 2 experienced excellent singer-songwriters and their message is outstanding great to convince as well the jury and with one of the best stage composers – Marvin Dietmann they will deliver as well a great staging

Scott
Scott
11 months ago

Definitely- Joker Out because of the ‘pretty boy/ 5 seconds of summer’ vibe. Should but might not because there is still so much resentment about the country even being there in the first place- Australia. Hopefully- Georgia. … let’s not forget that social media will drive both semi finals this year so ‘pretty’ will probably outweigh substance. I fear ESC may well regret getting rid of the judges votes in the semis this year.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
11 months ago

Options are so limited in this SF, haven’t really got any massive favorites but the ones I’m considering voting for are Georgia, Slovenia, Austria and Australia.

Yana
Yana
11 months ago

I fully support Slovenia here <3

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
11 months ago

Australia, Estonia or Slovenia are basically the only ones I really care about for qualifying.

lasse braun
lasse braun
11 months ago

as we talk about quality and singing skills,estonia has by a mile the best song!
so i have voted for “bridges”.

🙂

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
11 months ago

Loving Georgia, Romania, Australia, Albania their entries

Only one i hate in this semi is the unlikeable rich girl from Poland, my winner there was lift u up by the wonderful Natasza Urbanska

Michu
Michu
11 months ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

Natasza Urba?ska is awful too.

Alfie28
Alfie28
11 months ago

Georgia is the only one I like.

habahaba
habahaba
11 months ago

CYPRUS 4da win

Vivian
Vivian
11 months ago

Australia and Slovenia are my two winners of this semifinal. It’s notably weaker than the first, that much is universally agreed upon, but it really isn’t THAT terrible

Tylos
Tylos
11 months ago
Reply to  Vivian

Counter-point: It really is.

Feels like the biggest difference in quality between two semis in the same year, that I can recall

Teddi
Teddi
11 months ago

Besides Armenia and Austria, which are the only contenders to win this Semi – SF2 is so bad that is unpredictable to guess any other qualifiers because among these equally bad songs anyone can go through, haha. I’d say Austria, Armenia, Albania, Iceland, and Lithuania are the only ones I’m sure will qualify 100%.
The only ones that I seriously don’t see getting many points is San Marino and Romania – no chances.

yoo
yoo
11 months ago

One of the worst this year for my taste is Greece. But there is absolutely no chance that Greece will not go to the final.
They start at least with 28 points ( 12 Cyprus, 8 Albania, 8 Armenia (maybe even higher from Albania and Armenia)), + Romania, Georgia, Australia, Denmark..

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
11 months ago
Reply to  yoo

But probably not with this song….

Alex
Alex
11 months ago
Reply to  yoo

Greece is one of my favourites in this semifinal. For my taste as it’s pleasant and unpretencious.
It’s one of those songs that could work better with locals than fans. It happens every year.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
11 months ago

Armenia, Georgia and Slovenia are my top three this year and this is supposed to be the weaker semi lol

Marcin
Marcin
11 months ago

1. Austria
2. Georgia
3. Albania
4. Poland
5. Greece
6. Slovenia
7. Iceland
8. Belgium
9. San Marino
10. Australia (unfortunately)

11. Lithuania
12. Cyprus
13. Denmark
14. Estonia
15. Armenia (flop)
16. Romania

Thomas
Thomas
11 months ago
Reply to  Marcin

4.Poland xD xD xD

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago

I want Austria to win the semi.

I could not care less who else qualifies with Austria.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago

Poe

Milan
Milan
11 months ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Poe

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago
Reply to  Milan

Poe poe poe poe poe poe poe

MrBrightside
MrBrightside
11 months ago
Reply to  ThorBeta

Edgar Allan Edgar Allan

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
11 months ago
Reply to  MrBrightside

Who The Hell Is-

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago

I always say this, but there is no winner. Ten countries qualify. That said, Austria should get the most points.