Photo: Sarah Louise Bennet / EBU

The running order for the grand final of Eurovision 2023 is here. Following each semi-final, the qualifiers drew first half or second half. Producers have now decided their precise position within each half (in order to create the most interesting show).

Four of the six automatic qualifiers — Italy, France, Germany, and Spain — drew their halves following their second rehearsals last weekend. 

The UK and Ukraine’s starting positions were previously drawn at the head of delegation meeting in March. This is to prevent any bias when the producers put the complete grand final running order together.

Eurovision 2023 Grand Final Running Order

  1. 🇦🇹 Austria: Teya & Salena — “Who the Hell is Edgar?”
  2. 🇵🇹 Portugal: Mimicat — “Ai coração”
  3. 🇨🇭 Switzerland: Remo Forrer — “Watergun”
  4. 🇵🇱 Poland: Blanka — “Solo”
  5. 🇷🇸 Serbia: Luke Black — “Samo mi se spava”
  6. 🇫🇷 France: La Zarra — “Évidemment”
  7. 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou — “Break a Broken Heart”
  8. 🇪🇸 Spain: Blanca Paloma — “Eaea”
  9. 🇸🇪 Sweden: Loreen — “Tattoo”
  10. 🇦🇱 Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje”
  11. 🇮🇹 Italy: Marco Mengoni – “Due vite”
  12. 🇪🇪 Estonia: Alika — “Bridges”
  13. 🇫🇮 Finland: Käärijä — “Cha Cha Cha”
  14. 🇨🇿 Czechia: Vesna — “My Sister’s Crown”
  15. 🇦🇺 Australia: Voyager — “Promise”
  16. 🇧🇪 Belgium: Gustaph — “Because of You”
  17. 🇦🇲 Armenia: Brunette — “Future Lover”
  18. 🇲🇩 Moldova: Pasha Parfeni — “Soarele si luna”
  19. 🇺🇦 Ukraine: TVORCHI — “Heart of Steel”
  20. 🇳🇴 Norway: Alessandra — “Queen of Kings”
  21. 🇩🇪 Germany: Lord of the Lost — “Blood & Glitter”
  22. 🇱🇹 Lithuania: Monika Linkyte — “Stay”
  23. 🇮🇱 Israel: Noa Kirel — “Unicorn”
  24. 🇸🇮 Slovenia: Joker Out — “Carpe Diem”
  25. 🇭🇷 Croatia: Let 3 — “Mama ŠČ!”
  26. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Mae Muller — “I Wrote A Song”

Where is your favourite performing? Let us know in the comments box below.

 

“Wild Dances: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision” is available now.

Blackwells Books is offering free shipping to several countries, including the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

659 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Euroal
Euroal
1 year ago

The beeb have done a great job with the running order. It will make it a very exciting show and too close to call. Performances on the night will be very important so everyone needs to be on top form. My favourite is France but I think Sweden will win. Finland most probably will win the public vote.

:::
:::
1 year ago

Sorry if that’s stupid, but can someone explain to me how it’s possible to calculate the results from the semi based on the running order in the grand final?

Euroal
Euroal
1 year ago
Reply to  :::

It’s not, it’s just pure speculation.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  :::

It’s not possible to calculate it accurately, unless some fans are genius statisticians.

:::
:::
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

I don’t think that they’re creating an RO purely based on semi final results.

Gaga
Gaga
1 year ago

So many countries are out now that it reduces the excitement-Hungary, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Turkey, Russia, Belarus, Slovakia, Andorra. Wish we didn’t have the war and Europe could enjoy the Eurovision week to the fullest with all countries joining in.

Euroal
Euroal
1 year ago
Reply to  Gaga

You’ll find most of those countries aren’t taking part this year, including Russia who have been banned.

Tylos
Tylos
1 year ago

So a break between Spain & Sweden makes sense, given the sandwich press installation.
Does that suggest a break between Australia & Belgium, to remove the 80s Toyota, and then a final break between Germany & Lithuania to separate ‘large’ acts from the subdued final five?

Euroal
Euroal
1 year ago
Reply to  Tylos

I wonder did they bring the car all the way over from Oz or did they buy if from a Liverpool scrap dealer?

jugofuturizam
jugofuturizam
1 year ago

MY PREDICTION (from Serbia) WINNER / Sweden TOP 5 / Finland / Israel / France / Spain TOP 10 / Norway / Lithuania / Armenia / Austria / Czechia 11-15 / Italy / Moldova / Serbia / Croatia / Ukraine 16-20 / Portugal / Cyprus / Slovenia / Belgium / United Kingdom 21-26 / Albania / Estonia / Poland / Germany / Switzerland / Australia MY PERSONAL RANKING (based on songs, less on the performances) Finland Sweden Serbia United Kingdom Spain Lithuania Slovenia Israel (BEST PERFORMANCE) Austria Armenia France Belgium Portugal Moldova Czechia Albania Croatia Italy Poland Cyprus Norway Estonia… Read more »

CherryLee
CherryLee
1 year ago
Reply to  jugofuturizam

Why you predicted Slovenia 16-20 place?

jugofuturizam
jugofuturizam
1 year ago

I’m from Serbia and my personal favourite is Finland definitely, but Sweden is my second anyways and as many other viewers I will vote for both and couple of more entries too, so I don’t see how Sweden has any less chance to win televote than Finland. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Israel, France and a couple of more entries taking the crown, cause they are all great. What I can’t understand is why are y’all consistently pressed every year towards possible winners, or I this year’s case Loreen. Her song may or may not be the best this year,… Read more »

Devito
1 year ago

I think people are writing off Lithuania too soon. It’s going to be a bunch of up-tempo songs (Australia >> Belgium >> Armenia >> Moldova >> Ukraine >> Norway >> Germany) before Lithuania shows up, and then it’s going to be the rest of the up-tempo songs once again. I feel like Lithuania is going to be a moment of fresh air, especially knowing Monika will perform right after Germany. In fact, I think Lithuania got the best spot surrounded by a series of beat songs; it will fall out of context, which in GF is only a good thing.… Read more »

Maya G
Maya G
1 year ago

Seems that Czechia are always thrown under the bus in the final.
2nd in 2016 (first half of the show) , 1st in 2018 (second half of the show), 3rd in 2019 (first half of the show), 1st in 2022 (first half of the show), 1st in 2023 (second half of the show).
Apparently in Eurovision all countries are equal but some are more equal than others. I’m not Czech BTW.

Robin
Robin
1 year ago

And the final result will prob look more or less like this

26. Albania
25. UK
24. Germany
23. Lithuania
22. Australia
21. Cyprus
20. Poland
19. Serbia
18. Estonia
17. Portugal
16. Norway
15. Armenia
14. Belgium
13. Switzerland
12. Slovenia
11. France
10. Italy
9. Spain
8. Moldova
7. Croatia
6. Austria
5. Czechia
4. Ukraine
3. Sweden
2. Israel
1. Finland

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Robin

Some people never learn. Everyone was saying Albania was not going to qualify, and now that they have, they’re still placing them last. Albania will do well.

:::
:::
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

They’re always in last position in the odds for months – only to end up between 16th and 21st in the grand final, which is funny as this makes Albania unpredictable.

poe-tay-toe chips
poe-tay-toe chips
1 year ago
Reply to  Robin

You really think Germany will be that low?

Gil
Gil
1 year ago

Well, israel got a very good spot…i believe she will finish top 3…i believe she can finish second as well.
Loreen will win no matter what will happen in the final, not because the song deserves it imo, her staging is why she will win, sweden needs to teach staging so it will be a fair fight(:

Paul
Paul
1 year ago

Has anyone read about the closed rehearsals, suggesting there’s going to be a surprise???

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

No, because I would rather be surprised.

Benji
Benji
1 year ago

I wouldn’t be that sure that Finland will be a clear televote winner. Don’t forget that there are still millions of Ukrainian refugees scattered all over Europe. Hardly any European country will award Ukraine zero points.

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Benji

The last thing those Ukranian refugees have on their mind is to watch Eurovision and vote (refugee = person with psycholigical trauma and financial turbolence). Those who voted Ukraine and those that will vote it this year again are non-Ukranians who symphatyze with Ukraine 😉

Azimuth
Azimuth
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

In what world are you living. My Ukrainians friends, colleagues, neighbours all voted for Ukraine last year and we’re actively promoting their act. And i don’t have any non Ukrainians friend to have voted last year.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Benji

Ukraine? More likely Croatia swoops televoters. Finland second and Sweden third.

Emily
Emily
1 year ago

Just noticed that France is in 6th for the second year in a row… With the huge disappointment of Fulenn being second to last last year, I’m really hoping La Zarra does well, even though I’m not the biggest fan of her song. I’m sure she will.

Dascha
Dascha
1 year ago

To all those who think Sweden is up too early – usually song no. 9 comes after a commercial break, which this year is the amount of time needed to put Sweden’s stage set together. As for the second half of the show – it’s clear that Israel and Croatia both did very well in the semi. Last year the UK and Serbia performed 22nd and 25th respectively, and both did very well finishing 2nd and 5th, with Serbia smashing the televote. I’m not saying we should expect the exact same thing to happen tomorrow, but they’ll probably finish at… Read more »

Oy oy
Oy oy
1 year ago
Reply to  Dascha

Being just after the commercialbreak is not ideal because alot of viewers will swap channels during the commercial and miss the first part of Tattoo.

Ynq
Ynq
1 year ago
Reply to  Oy oy

I agree. But that’s obviously a risk SVT and Loreen are willing to take in order to have the staging that they have.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Oy oy

I do not even think it is a risk. The breaks are short, do not go on for long and most people are to busy re filling the snack bowl..

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

I’m voting Belgium because ive loved this song from the minute it was selected and he is a brilliant vocalist and staging is perfect and Finland the song is great the staging is great and he just makes me smile.

Patrick Pastor
Patrick Pastor
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

I love your energy! So positive and happy!

alessio milano
alessio milano
1 year ago

im the only one tha im happy for albania ?

Elsa
Elsa
1 year ago
Reply to  alessio milano

No, Albania is great, as per usual

Trev
Trev
1 year ago
Reply to  alessio milano

They are the biggest surprise for me. Did not rate the song at all until I saw it performed at the semi. Now, I think it’s on the left side of the scoreboard.

Emily
Emily
1 year ago
Reply to  alessio milano

Nope! Albania were one of my highlights last night.

Eyal
Eyal
1 year ago
Reply to  alessio milano

Go Albania! I wasn’t surprised AT ALL yesterday!
I was sure they were going to qualify.

Patrick
Patrick
1 year ago

Think they have piled a few of the worse ones before the UK to try to shore up her dreadful song and performance. And clearly they want to ensure Sweden wins by burying Finland

Niya
Niya
1 year ago
Reply to  Patrick

Burying Finland? They have one of the best positions in the running order..

Man
Man
1 year ago
Reply to  Niya

Ok, but the song is crap

Man
Man
1 year ago
Reply to  Man

It should be awful

Eyal
Eyal
1 year ago
Reply to  Patrick

Nothing will help Mae Muller, even if they let her perform 3 times along the evening. The girl cannot sing live. It’s horrible. And mind you, I LOVE her song!

Cha
Cha
1 year ago
Reply to  Patrick

Finland is perform 13th and that’s right in the middle of the show! There are 26 songs in total. It’s the best spot to perform.

Trev
Trev
1 year ago

Some surprises with this running order! My observations: Wouldn’t have expected Austria to open, they must not have done that well in the semi. The cursed 2nd spot might not be a huge factor with an uptempo song from Portugal. Sweden might be too early to be a favourite to win now. Concerned with the Albanian-Italy-Estonia section. They all deserved a better spot where they could shine on their own merits rather than one after another. Australia might have done well in the semi to get 15th spot after Czechia. Croatia might have also done well to secure 25th spot.… Read more »

Dascha
Dascha
1 year ago
Reply to  Trev

Last year Serbia performed in the penultimate spot, and that was also considered a “novelty” song, but ended up 5th, so Croatia could expect a high-place finish.

Trev
Trev
1 year ago
Reply to  Dascha

My votes are going elsewhere. Everyone has the right to vote for who they want but honestly

CherryLee
CherryLee
1 year ago

I can’t believe tomorrow Eurovision 2023 ends, I am so sad, but at the same time happy cuz this s*** is nerve wrecking y’all.

Emily
Emily
1 year ago
Reply to  CherryLee

It goes way too fast, doesn’t it?

Sgedi
Sgedi
1 year ago

I can’t help feeling they’ve totally screwed up the running order here. Initial thoughts are that it feels like an absolute mess.

Croatia as penultimate song? Whatever the novelty value, the song is unlistenable. Scheduling the intense drama of Spain and Sweden back to back? Czechia’s understated brilliance being swallowed by following the Finland bombast? And Austria especially, as one of the few potential dark horses, have been completely screwed over.

Dreadful work by the organisers.

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Sgedi

It’s the BBC, they are experts at screwing the ESC

Patrick
Patrick
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

Indeed.

Jay
Jay
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

Ukraine will win in 2024

Ynq
Ynq
1 year ago
Reply to  Sgedi

There’s a commercial break between Spain and Sweden, they will be fine. Austria was one of the few party songs available as an opener so that one makes sense. Besides, that means that anyone watching will have Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe Poe stuck in their head while watching the rest of the entries. Coming after Finland is not ideal for anyone but I think Czech Republic is different enough from Finland while still being a strong entry in itself so I think they can survive without getting swollwed up by everything that is Finland. Honestly, those who have… Read more »

Sgedi
Sgedi
1 year ago
Reply to  Ynq

All excellent points, well made. Since I wrote my post earlier, I’ve read that there’s also a break of several minutes between Kaarija and Vesna which will help too. Still miffed about Austria though!

Miguel
Miguel
1 year ago

As a Portuguese, this running order hurts… Good luck to Mimicat because I know she will absolutely shine no mather what. We are proud of her!

Also LUXEMBOURG IS BACK FOR EUROVISION 2024.

Ernest
Ernest
1 year ago

People assume that Finland will win televote by a lanslide, but I think Sweden is a strong contender too ! I would be really surprised if she’s not in the televote top 3, as Tattoo is already charting in many countries ! Im not sure the running order makes such a big difference in the results.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Ernest

“Tatoo” has being doing well on Spotify and charts and Loreen is Loreen even among mainstream listeners so I do think people underestimate the televote appeal. I do think she could give Sweden its best televote score for years. So it should not be counted out..

Kesha
Kesha
1 year ago

Why de 2 first songs being Austria and Portugal

Henry
Henry
1 year ago
Reply to  Kesha

Why not? somebody has to start and somebody has to be second…

Cha
Cha
1 year ago

As expected, Finland is in the later 1st half which means they perform in the middle of the running order where most of the recent winners half performed in recent years. Is this sign that Finland won the 1st semi-final?

Keke
Keke
1 year ago

I think some of the positions are really weird like austria-portugal as pop-dance-songs, norway-germany as powerfull songs, albania-italy as emotional songs and slovenia-croatia as rocksongs.
maybe there are not enough slower songs, so it was not that easy to find the best positions and to have a high contrast in the line-up.

Maclaren
Maclaren
1 year ago

I actually think that EBU is trying to break some old paradigms here. They do not necessarily see spot 2 as a death spot to punish. Rather, similarly to Semi 1, they are trying to create a strong and impactful opening that will last beyond song one. Songs 1-5 will be a locomotive of the final ramping up the whole thing to the right speed. Then, there’s actually a strong middle part with songs 13-18 to create another momentum. Unlike previous years, EBU seems to be deliberate in creating a strong middle section. And of course songs 23-26 will wrap… Read more »

Francis
Francis
1 year ago

In other news, did you see the announcement of Eurovision? Luxembourg is coming back in Eurovision 2024!

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis

Very sweet news!

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Francis

Great news, remember them fondly, hope they let Australia stay and make it permanently

Eyal
Eyal
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

With more and more countries dropping out in recent years, they’ll keep Australia close by.

Johnny
Johnny
1 year ago

Regarding Poland I wouldn’t be supprised if it will be 2016 all over again and she’ll get 3 points ftom Jury and 300 from the public because public. Get ready guys.

Emily
Emily
1 year ago

Well, it’s nice of them to put my two toilet-break songs back-to-back…

Sad for Austria opening, and even more sad for Portugal being in the death slot. But since they came 9th last year in the 3rd spot, I’m hoping she does well anyway. I kinda figured that Croatia would be the penultimate song – it was either them, Australia or Germany for me.

Hoping for a really fun night tomorrow. 🙂

Leo M
Leo M
1 year ago

Not surprised by Austria opening but having them and Portugal back to back is a weird choice

3 ballads before Finland, Kaarja will wake people up – suggests they want Finland to win

Israel, Slovenia, Croatia and Uk is a hell of a closing, UK may get overshadowed here

Can’t wait for Saturday now

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Leo M

Ballads before Kaarija also suggest they want Kaarija’s jury result as low as possible. Power vocals that go before Kaarija will definitely harm him.

Eyal
Eyal
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

I don’t think the juries expect high vocal abilities from this type of song. The balladists are those who are vocally scrutinised the most.

Jojo
Jojo
1 year ago

PEOPLE! Don’t forget the biggest reason for the running order is because of the stage requisites. They cannot have complex staging put next to each other and need time to bring and remove stuff from the stage. Imagine you had 3 Loreen’s in a row? Please think with… the secondary reason is the song genre, so it makes sense having 2-3 ballads, theb 2-3 up-tempo songs in a row.

Frau Loch
Frau Loch
1 year ago

I actually like that Austria opens the biggest music show in the world with a message that supports all the artists and jury members around the world. They could get a lot of points from jury members who want to make a statement. That’s how Ukraine won last year…

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

Not really, Ukraine didn’t win because of a particular statement. They win because, well…

Frau Loch
1 year ago

And that was exactly the statement. People tend to make their voices heard through Eurovision….

Luk
Luk
1 year ago

I’m already really angry.. Can’t they give my country the Czechia a really good position at least once?

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Luk

I thought opening 2nd half after half time break is not a bad position, am I wrong?

Changa Manga
Changa Manga
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

no 14th is normally not that good but they are trying to change that.

the spots czechia has gotten: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 14th and 14th so early in both halves

Chris
Chris
1 year ago
Reply to  Luk

I don’t know when they will give you a good spot but your countries song is stuck on my head since Tuesday and doesn’t seem to get out 🙂

Samira
Samira
1 year ago

Wow Albania isn’t 2nd this time

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  Samira

I feel like it was the perfect act to go 2nd but it was obvious that the production wasn’t going to make them dirty for the 3rd times in 4 editions. But the 10th spot between Sweden and Italy is a poisoned gift.

Mqe
Mqe
1 year ago

I kinda feel bad for Austria for being first… I don’t love the staging, but the song is good and deserves a good result.
And, I mean… Poland was RIGHT THERE.

Frau Loch
Frau Loch
1 year ago

All countries that sang in their native language went through to the Grand Final. I think this is a sign that Europe will favour a song in the native language and not an english popsong on Saturday.

Slovenia could therefor be the dark horse of the Saturday night. Getting on as number 24 with a not overly polished or produced song in Slovenian sang by a group of friends that seem to have great fun and stage presence……

Mqe
Mqe
1 year ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

I feel like the juries should give this some love and I feel the televoters did too given the running order. And it has to be said that neither Croatia nor Serbia voted in the second semi, who are bound to give them some points in the final (as JO are fairly well-known in the region). I’d be thrilled if Slovenia gets a really good result, possibly even its best ever. That’d be so wonderful.

Keke
Keke
1 year ago
Reply to  Mqe

to be clear, croatia in the recent past has given more points to italy than serbia.

Mqe
Mqe
1 year ago
Reply to  Keke

I’m talking about Croatia and Serbia giving points to Slovenia. Not necessarily just because the neighbour vote, but because Joker Out have released some songs in those languages and are known in the region. I also expect Slovenia to give points to Croatia, because LET3 are well-known.

SunChine
SunChine
1 year ago
Reply to  Mqe

Slovenians Love Let3. so dont worry about that hahah

Mqe
Mqe
1 year ago
Reply to  SunChine

I know haha
Plus they are from Rijeka, so super close to the border. They’ll get some serious points from the Slovene televote.

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

Ireland sang in mainstream native language and missed out 🙂
But yes for diversity in all aspects.

Hélène
Hélène
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

And Romania, Malta and partly sudden light. They all missed out.

sam
sam
1 year ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

except for latvia

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago

For goodness sake, let’s go back to qualifying acts drawing their running order as they are announced as finalists. And also draw the big five and host at the same time. It would make the semi-finals more interesting, we won’t have these silly conspiracy theories, and we won’t have to wait to 1AM for a running order. It might mean that a few ballads are drawn together but when I listen to music from a playlist, I just include songs I like, I don’t need to have then in a particular order. This system is such a waste of time,… Read more »

Nicolas
Nicolas
1 year ago
Reply to  Fatima

Agree. A single simple rule would be for the countries to not have fancy stagings that needs more than 2 minutes to setup. Automatic disqualification if so.

Ynq
Ynq
1 year ago
Reply to  Fatima

I completely agree. The conspiracy theories are getting really annoying and everyone receiving a random starting order would be fair.

Although I suppose that there will always be someone claiming that the lottery is rigged…

Fan88
Fan88
1 year ago

Why no one is talking about Lithuania’s running order. In the last 5 years number 22 came 2nd twice and won it once. That might be a big surprise on Saturday, as it really stands out from other performances.

John D
John D
1 year ago

I love how all female vocalist are slammed for their vocal talents while the maybe weakest vocalist, Finland is a favorite to win the entire thing and is not even mentioned when it comes to needing good vocals haha

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago

All this made us forget the block voting, vote exchanges, diaspora voting and political voting. Would not be overly surprised if before the final we see a big political stunt involving Ukraine and they win again.

Sebastian
Sebastian
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

I’ve also considered this scenario. A lot of ukrainans are now spread out all over europe, and I would not be surprised if they vote for their home country. This is not a critique, just a thought.

Fatima
Fatima
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

Not sure if a “stunt” is necessary, MoGu. We’ve already had a war forcing eight million Ukrainians into places from where they can now vote for Ukraine. And who can can blame them for doing so?

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Fatima

Agree with your comment Fatima, what I meant is a deliberate “stunt” to influence and win the contest.

jugofuturizam
jugofuturizam
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

Even if Ukranians and others all over the Europe vote for Ukraine, jury will hardly put it in the top 15. Let’s not forget the fact that last year, even tho Ukraine won because of the unfortunate situation in their country, it was still a very strong song that would end up in the top 5 anyways.

James
James
1 year ago

The running order always takes into account the gender. You will rarely find three guys or three girls in a row

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
1 year ago
Reply to  James

Except last year, entries 21-23.

Michu
Michu
1 year ago
Reply to  James

That’s okay, isn’t it?

Yoshi8TheBerries
Yoshi8TheBerries
1 year ago
Reply to  James

I guess that keeps the variety, although remember 2021? The first 6 acts were all lead by a female vocalist (3 of which in the infamous matching silver dresses which possibly didn’t help them stand out to casual viewers, idk to be honest).

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

Am I the only one who is happy with this running order? I’m so happy I could…

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

…fly? And if I’m flying solo at least I’m flying free!

Karworld
Karworld
1 year ago

In my opinion, there are big errors in the running order. Spain Sweden and Albania together, the biggest mistake. Estonia and Italy together doesn’t make much sense to me either. Finland after two ballads, that will push Findland in the televote and I have the impression it all has been done on purpose to favour Findland.

Karworld
Karworld
1 year ago
Reply to  Karworld

But Spain and Sweden will not cancel each other. I guess there is va break between them? And last year Spain and Ukraine were together and in fact it favoured both.

Damian
Damian
1 year ago
Reply to  Karworld

Take it with a grain of salt because I can’t find the source right now, but I think it’s confirmed that there is a break between Spain and Sweden

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Damian

There needs to be a break because they need to rig the mini panini

Jasmine
Jasmine
1 year ago

A lot of discussion regarding the fairness of running order.

I’m curious, what are people’s thoughts on dividing the order in THREE instead?

(I think they had this before. But like ”first half, second half” type of draws)

But to make it more easy, I mean just dividing it in 3, making it almost 8 spots starting, 8 spots in the middle and 8 spots in closing.

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Jasmine

Why not 4 quarters as they have ad breaks in between. Fairest would be a draw for the lot, but will never happen again.

Jasmine
Jasmine
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

No I’m totally opposed to drawing exact positions.

That may have made sense back in the 60’s, but not now.

The tempo of Eurovision used to be unbelievebly dull. The running order made no sense, there was no dramaturgical depth, only three ballads in a row snoozefest. And we knew who had won before the voting had ended.

Sure, four drawing sections instead of three could also work, but at the cost of less dramaturgical space. But should be possible with 6 slots per section.

Jasmine
Jasmine
1 year ago
Reply to  Jasmine

You can compare the dramaturgical impact between the year 2012 and 2016. With Engelbert Humperdinck opening the finale with”Love Will Set You Free” 2012 and Laura Tesoro opening with ”What’s the Pressure” in 2016.

It’s insane.

(Same thing 2011 with Finland opening with Paradise Oscar ”Da Da Dam”)

The dramaturgical structure of ESC was not well thought out back then, now it is.

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Jasmine

You seem to be close to my age if you follow ESC since the 60s like myself. It was dull then because broadcasters would not allow anything that was not boring mainstream, non controversial and of course they selected the performers.

Sebastian
Sebastian
1 year ago

My prediction. According to the bookies this seems like a really predictional year, but Im not so sure. I think, and hope, that it will be more exciting. I think there will be huge differences between juries and televoting this year. My guess is that Finland will win televote before Croatia and then Norway/Sweden/Moldova. Juries will favour Sweden, Spain, Italy, Austria and France. The winner will depend on how low the juires put Finland. And I don’t think that Sweden will win by a landslide (as the bookies think), but it might be the entry that ends up top 5… Read more »

Anna
Anna
1 year ago
Reply to  Sebastian

I still have no ideas why Sweden is nr1 at bookies, it is kind of obvious already Finland will win with massive televote points. Not really a question of if they will succeed because they will. Producers put it nr 13 for a reason, it probably slayed the televotes in the semis.

Jojo
Jojo
1 year ago
Reply to  Anna

Producers don’t manipulate songs in any way… it is all done to to make sure there is enough time between acts to set up their staging. Loreen’s one is complicated for example hence they have a chat in the green room before that. Also it is to keep people entertained.
Loreen’s song is the only one that entered spotify global and Käärija is not even close so Loreen is winning the televote.

Hélène
Hélène
1 year ago
Reply to  Anna

I can tell you why. The juries judge 1) the vocal and artistic capacity of the artist, 2) the song in itself and 3) the performance/staging as a whole. Käärilä is not very good in the first sectio . In parts he have strong help from backning vocals. I am not sure the song in itself either. It is repetitive and a kind of childish composition

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Anna

But how well will it do with juries?

Irene
Irene
1 year ago

I’ll vote Slovenia and Armenia. Both unique. If I could I’d vote Portugal too. And Finland, perhaps.

Amigo
Amigo
1 year ago

How is it possible that they put Finland to perform last in the semi (In the second part of the first semi) and then they put them to perform last in the first part of the final? This is not fair. No matter how popular the song is, or how many of us have it as a contender – this is just not fair to other countries like Portugal or Serbia who were put at the beginning of the semi and the final.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago

I feel like with this order EBU really tells us they want Finland to win. How is it possible that a favoured country gets to start last two times? With the biggest rivals already wiped out earlier. And Sweden following Spain, a sort of similar vibe song, might be risk of cancelling each other out, especially with juries..

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

…Spain and Sweden have very different vibes? What are you talking about? I’ll go as far as to say there’s absolutely nothing like Spain this year. But yes, if Sweden and Finland are the two main contenders, I can see why the country that has hosted less recently than the other would be a bit more favorable. I think more than anything though the reason Loreen is going 9th is because she has the most complex staging to set up of anyone this year. She would have HAD to go after a break regardless of which half she was put… Read more »

Denis
Denis
1 year ago

I feel with juries though that both Spain and Sweden are top choices since juries tend to go for that. I even said earlier Spain might be a jury winner. But with both following each other someone will draw the short stick..
But I do think Sweden will still do well. Even with televotes..

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

BBC as hosts decided the running order, other than the drawn countries, not EBU. That cancels your conspiracy.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  MoGu

A conspiracy of what? That Finland in fact is last in the half once again?
And its not BBC that draws but the Dutch guy who has been doing it for years now

Euroal
Euroal
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

He’s Swedish not Dutch. He has the final say about the running order but it’s actually the host broadcaster who decide.

Nicolas
Nicolas
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

They only want €€ from phone calls, Sweden is guaranteed jury win by a landslide and any serious jury can’t have Finland in their top 3 with a guy who barely sings and neds autotune pre-recorded backtrack.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Yeah, I do not think Sweden is guarantee to win jury vote. Top 3 yes but not guarantee win. Spain can win. Even France can win, its a jury song

Cianna
Cianna
1 year ago
Reply to  Nicolas

Well autotune is forbidden in eurovision, so….

Poju90
Poju90
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

Why not. Sweden usyally get good place in final and semi finals. It is Finlands turn get good place. Is fair favor some others for a change.

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  Poju90

I would not mind a Finnish win, nor would any Swede. I mean we love our neighbours..
Just that it seems to obvious to twice give them last spot when usually acts who are last gets to go earlier in final. But good luck!

BeepBoop
BeepBoop
1 year ago

I am gutted for Portugal… here in Spain we love Mimicat, and everyone celebrated like crazy when she got to the final. Still, I think that if anyone can prove to have a good result starting from the death slot, that is her. Those vocals, and the way she commands the stage are just admirable. We will be voting for her on Saturday! ^^

Denis
Denis
1 year ago
Reply to  BeepBoop

Last year Portugal got 8th place despite being second. So do not worry

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Denis

Portugal performed third in the running order last year and got ninth Place

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
1 year ago
Reply to  BeepBoop

Why are you gutted? Mimicat even said in her press conference that it was all about qualifying. They did that. Even if they qual’d in 10th, it’s been a great year for Portugal already!

Boo
Boo
1 year ago

I wonder if the broadcaster knows the public votes from the semi to help them make the running order or not?

MoGu
MoGu
1 year ago
Reply to  Boo

I guess the BBC was given that information.

Zac
Zac
1 year ago
Reply to  Boo

Lets be realistic. Nobody but Martin doesant know that. Imagine tell this to anyone. Everyone would know the results at the same night.