Photo: Corinne Cumming / EBU

Eurovision 2023 may be over, but the analysis of the results has only just begun. The EBU have now revealed the full results for semi-final one.

Finland’s Käärijä came out on top of semi-final one. Meanwhile Latvia’s Sudden Lights finished unlucky 11th and just missed out on a qualification place.

The rankings below comes solely from the public vote. 

Eurovision 2023 semi-final one results

  1. Finland: Käärijä – “Cha Cha Cha” (177 points)
  2. Sweden: Loreen – “Tattoo” (135 points)
  3. Israel: Noa Kirel – “Unicorn” (127 points)
  4. Czechia: Vesna – “My Sister’s Crown” (110 points)
  5. Moldova: Pasha Parfeni – “Soarele si Luna” (109 points)
  6. Norway: Alessandra – “Queen of Kings” (102 points)
  7. Switzerland: Remo Forrer – “Watergun” (97 points)
  8. Croatia: Let 3 – “Mama Sc” (76 points)
  9. Portugal: Mimicat – “Ai Coracao” (74 points)
  10. Serbia: Luke Black – “Samo mi se spava” (37 points)
  11. Latvia: Sudden Lights – “Aija” (34 points)
  12. Ireland: Wild Youth – “We Are One” (10 points)
  13. The Netherlands: Mia & Dion – “Burning Daylight” (7 points)
  14. Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX – “Tell me More” (4 points)
  15. Malta: The Busker – “Dance (Our Own Party) (3 points)

What do you make of the results? What surprises you? Let us know down below!

 

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

Blackwells Books

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Barnes and Noble

152 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Fredrik
Fredrik
10 months ago

Sweden winning was fair

Benjamin K
10 months ago

As a French I am more sad for Finland robbed in 2023 than France 2021

Jonas
Jonas
10 months ago

Think of poor Il Volo, people. They won the televote, and nobody knew. Not even them, until a points breakdown after the broadcast. At least the Finnish viewers knew that had good reason to be proud.

Jonas
Jonas
10 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

At least Finnish viewers knew that Finland won the televote, and could be proud of their act.

Jonas
Jonas
10 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Oops, I’ve commented under the wrong article. Oh well, I’ll do it again somewhere else. No harm in repeating myself.

Addie
Addie
10 months ago

Well we’ve seen that it’s no use bashing the juries. They really could’ve saved some entries in the semis. But at the same time, the jury voting in the final was so skewed. Like almost 80% of the votes went to Sweden. And a lot of entries like Serbia, Slovenia and so on were tragically underrated.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
10 months ago

So, Israel receiving 12 points from the rest of the world, does it mean that all the Jewish communities voted for Israel and that henceforth all the 12 points from the rest of the world will go to Israel?… The same goes for Armenia in SF2…

Dida
Dida
10 months ago

Malta sent a crap song this year, simple as that. More dancing and saxophone than actual singing! When they picked Destiny in 2021 Malta got many points and finished 5th in the Final (could have even won, in my opinion).

Luis
Luis
10 months ago
Reply to  Dida

Destiny finished 7th.. not 5th. She received a small amount of points from the public though..

Addie
Addie
10 months ago
Reply to  Dida

Sorry but this is such a based take.

Mqe
Mqe
10 months ago

Now that Ireland’s record has been matched, I really hope they completely change their approach to Eurovision. We are overdue an excellent Irish entry!

Jofty
Jofty
10 months ago
Reply to  Mqe

Well they could take a leaf from Sweden’s book and rewrite a previous winning entry. It fooled everyone this year. I’ll start preparing No Kinds Of Nothing for Dana.

ESC Idan
ESC Idan
10 months ago

Sweden won in 84 and 99 and celebrated Abba’s 10 & 25 years.
Now they won again and will celebrate Abba 50 years of anniversary..
Coincidence? – I don’t think so

The jury’s this year gave Sweden the trophy.
It feels like the competition was sold in advanced.

CagardiB
CagardiB
10 months ago
Reply to  ESC Idan

2023 – 1974 = 49
Are you good?

Also let me complete the other ABBA anniversaries:
1991 – 1974 = 17
2012 – 1974 = 38
2015 – 1974 = 41

SVT thought of everything, they celebrate ABBA’s victory anniversary also in their 17th, 38th and 41st anniversary! such special years <3

KaarijaEnthusiast
KaarijaEnthusiast
10 months ago
Reply to  CagardiB

2024 = 50th anniversary = hosted in Sweden following 2023 victory
Are you good?

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
10 months ago

Israel is a horrid country

Jay
Jay
10 months ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

You cannot say that! WTF

Deborah Baldwin
Deborah Baldwin
10 months ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

What does your comment have to do with music

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
10 months ago

Who voted for Israel ? A country who fires missiles at Palestine

ali
ali
10 months ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

me! i thought Israel was amazing

LUO
LUO
10 months ago

Finland got 177 out of the possible 192. That’s insane. 92% of the overall possible score. And in a very competitive batch.
This hits me so hard. Juries need a revamp.

J-F
J-F
10 months ago
Reply to  LUO

Yes, I said there that in old days with one voting system, it would have been the best achievement.

Darren
Darren
10 months ago
Reply to  LUO

The maximum possible points were 216 (12 x 18). As well as the 14 other competing countries, there were also 3 of the big 5, and rest of the world voting.

Damian
Damian
10 months ago

I love how the italian jury went from 0 points to Chanel to 12 points to Noa Kirel. Professional juries are very professional and not just a russian roulette where anything can happen based on pure bias.

Tipi Tii
Tipi Tii
10 months ago
Reply to  Damian

You do know that last year’s jury were not the same as this year’s….?

Damian
Damian
10 months ago
Reply to  Tipi Tii

Of course I know, but the reality doesn’t change: professional juries, even if they are different people, should follow similar, unbiased standards when voting. As I said, the professional jury shouldn’t be a “russian roulette” where, depending on the selected names, they can give you a 12 or a 0 depending on their personal tastes. If they do that, there is no difference between a “professional” and a random member of the audience.

Fredrik
Fredrik
10 months ago
Reply to  Damian

So you vote for the same song and country every year… interesting

Simon
Simon
10 months ago

Finland’s televote gave Loreen 5 points in the semifinal and then ZERO in the final…I wouldn’t have expected them to be so unfair. That shocks me, especially since it comes from a Nordic country. So much hatred this year…

Suvikh
Suvikh
10 months ago
Reply to  Simon

I’m from Finland myself and I think there were a lot more voters in the final than in the semi-final, and also more interesting voting options. Finns voted for Germany in the final, for example, because they like heavy music a lot here. I believe the Finns also voted for Loreen in the final, but the others were voted for even more, so she didn’t get any points.

Madhat
Madhat
10 months ago

Speaking about Malta, as it’s the country I hail from. Unfortunately we take Eurovision too seriously and our idea of what will do well differs form the rest of the mainstream. For example as a whole country we looked in disgust at Croatia’s entry and why it even passed. We as a country do not get why people would even consider voting for entries like that. We might have given Finland a chance and I m quite surprised about it since I was sure as a country we were not going to get it either. We still idolise Italy and… Read more »

Marco
Marco
10 months ago

Malta should be doing the middle finger to all of you actually

Addie
Addie
10 months ago
Reply to  Marco

Honestly yes… the one year they send an original entry.

Marlinken
Marlinken
10 months ago

Ireland getting more points than Malta… I think La Zarra’s middle finger about summarises this year!

Roy
Roy
10 months ago

Latvia just 3 points away from the final. They deserved to be in the final.

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
10 months ago
Reply to  Roy

Why ? I can’t remember one musical ? note from this song and as a music teacher I think I have some idea

Mod
Mod
10 months ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

Obviously it’s time to retire then, if you cannot remember a note ?

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
10 months ago

On a different note, obviously we’ll never know, but what differences may we have seen if everyone voted here?

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
10 months ago

I don’t know the full behind the scenes reasons for the Netherlands, obviously they weren’t talented enough and thier song didn’t click. But where was Duncan on Tuesday evening? What was he doing then that was more important ?Why wasn’t he in the greenroom sat with them? A bit disappointing that he didn’t seem to 100% support them, but appears himself centre stage at the interval. Not going to hold this against him forever, but he’s gone down a little in my estimation.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
10 months ago

The biggest mystery to me is how Norway was NQ in ROTW. It just doesn’t make sense.

Wyn
Wyn
10 months ago

Bring back the juries in the semis

Gaudi121
Gaudi121
10 months ago
Reply to  Wyn

To do what?

Vanja
Vanja
10 months ago

And some want televote in the final only…..

Danny
Danny
10 months ago
Reply to  Vanja

I think it should be 65/35 televote to jury

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
10 months ago
Reply to  Danny

Maybe 60/40 and a jury revamp

Maldric
Maldric
10 months ago

maybe an unpopular opinion….I want the juries back in the semi finals.
Some countries has no chances only with televote :/

apollinischesprinzip
apollinischesprinzip
10 months ago
Reply to  Maldric

exactly. all latvia, the netherlands and malta would’ve done much better but no chance for them.

hopefully the broadcasters will say something.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
10 months ago
Reply to  Maldric

But Malta was Q in 2019 and 2021. Their 2023 song was just not doing any impact on viewers except that it looked good on stage. San Marino was televoting Q in 2021 too. The jury here would only change one or two qualifiers at best.

Marco
Marco
10 months ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Yepp – 2019 and 2021 there were juries voting. Without juries, Malta has no chance of qualifying EVER. We could send Taylor Swift….. all for nothing.

Dave
Dave
10 months ago
Reply to  Marco

Actually Malta would’ve qualified just with televoting in 2019 and 2021 – came 10th and 2nd respectively in the semi.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
10 months ago

Finland the peoples champion

Erik
Erik
10 months ago

Oh, televotes are biased for Nordic countries.
Maybe we should have 100% juries

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
10 months ago
Reply to  Erik

YES!

Maldric
Maldric
10 months ago

Just look at the difference from the grand final televote result for Norway and Portugal….and people say running order does not matter…eheheh

Matt
Matt
10 months ago
Reply to  Maldric

You do know that in Semis people vote for acts they wanna see in the final, it doesn’t imply that they will do well with the public vote in the final at the end.. (except fan favorites and few more acts)

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
10 months ago

What hurt Latvia: The running order. Latvia really should have qualified, in my opinion.
What hurt Ireland: Everything. It just wasn’t their night.
What hurt The Netherlands: The re-arrangement of the song.
What hurt Azerbaijan: Static staging, mainly.
What hurt Malta: The running order, and the repetitive song.

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

What hurt Latvia, in my opinion, is that not enough people appreciate this kind of song in the Eurovision audience. I guess it wasn’t that uncommon in semi one to vote for Serbia as well as for Latvia (like I did), that’s why they have a very similar televote score. But we’re still not enough people to compete with polished mainstream numbers like Israel or Sweden or campier, typical old-school Eurovision stuff like Moldova or Norway.

Colin
Colin
10 months ago
Reply to  Tibor

Latvia was hurt by the allocation the most. If only one country competed in a different semi, Latvia would be in. Say, Romania in semi 1, and Norway in semi 2. Latvia would have qualified, 99%.

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago
Reply to  Colin

That is undeniably true, had one of the zero pointers been swapped for one of the heavy hitters, Latvia and Serbia could have gone both through. It’s what I said to you in another post: Latvia was just very unlucky over these last few years with their most competitive entries. Last year they picked wrong, Aminata would surely have qualified, 2020 got cancelled, “Still Breathing” would surely have qualified, this year they were stuck in this hell of a semi. I liked their 2019 entry, but it was very low key and not flawlessly performed. The real head scratcher is… Read more »

Robert
Robert
10 months ago

OMG Netherlands

Emily
Emily
10 months ago

Man… Latvia lost out by 3 points? Gutted.

Emily
Emily
10 months ago
Reply to  Emily

Wish it wasn’t to Serbia though… ugh I wish I could’ve voted in SF1 instead

J-F
J-F
10 months ago

16 countries participated in this semi-final. Finland was awarded 177 points.
In the old days, where the number of countries was limited to 18/20 and with one voting system, there would be the best achievement !
United Kingdom 1976 and Germany 1982 didn’t have such a percentage, even though their score was high.
Ireland 1994 got 226 points with 25 countries.
That is insane !

Matt
Matt
10 months ago
Reply to  J-F

Correction – 15 countries were in Semi 1 😉

J-F
J-F
10 months ago
Reply to  Matt

Oh, you are right. That makes the Finland score look more impressive.

noname
noname
10 months ago

Swedish mafia has taken the role from the ‘old’ Irish mafia. This is disgusting.

Joshua
Joshua
10 months ago
Reply to  noname

Declaring countries that win as “mafia” is utterly contemptible

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
10 months ago

i’m genuinely shocked with how low the scores were for the non-qualifiers

Darren
Darren
10 months ago

Genuinely expected to see Ireland in last place, and apart from maybe Azerbaijan would have been completely expected. Surprised they finished 12th, which I would consider borderline to be honest.
Malta where definitely way better than Ireland though.

Chris Malta
Chris Malta
10 months ago

I was such a big fan of Eurovision and my country Malta taking part. But now with only televote, we should just stay out of the competition. The Busker definitely were better than Ireland and Azerbaijan but we only get 3 ridiculous points.

Milan
Milan
10 months ago
Reply to  Chris Malta

Malta should have qualified. This is really unfair towards countries with low televote support.

Jofty
Jofty
10 months ago
Reply to  Chris Malta

Yes, agree. Do you think that ironically, Brooke Borg may have got more than 3 points, but perhaps even fewer?

Henry
Henry
10 months ago
Reply to  Chris Malta

Your country (Malta) came second in the final with only televote in 2002 and 2005…. Just saying….

Sophia
Sophia
10 months ago
Reply to  Henry

Right and with jury, might have actually won

MALTESER
MALTESER
10 months ago
Reply to  Chris Malta

what a loser attitude… please don’t tell people you are from Malta. You’re making us out to be like we’re acting like losers

Chris Malta
Chris Malta
10 months ago
Reply to  MALTESER

Why because all those who were behind Finland had a good loosing attitude yesterday and this morning? Please stop your fake profile of acting being a Maltese

Yellow
Yellow
10 months ago

Serbia being underrated again! Disaster!

Donkey
Donkey
10 months ago

Nah every time I root for a country they come last. Last year it was Slovenia this year it was Malta.

Mik
Mik
10 months ago
Reply to  Donkey

Same for me.

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago

So apparently, I had nothing to gain in this semi. One of my favourites took out the other, and both were too far away from the rest to take someone else’s slot instead. Otherwise, there’s nothing overly surprising for me in the semi one results.

Thanos
Thanos
10 months ago
Reply to  Tibor

Both Latvia and Serbia should have qualified with ease. Disappointed with their results.

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

I think there is an argument to be made that the overwhelming support for Finland in the televote has hurt other edgier songs like Spain or Serbia, because it was always clear that Finland would need a huge televote score to be able to close the gap that had been opened by the juries in the final.
Overall it seems that the audience for anything not really mainstream that isn’t overly in your face – like Finland or Croatia or Moldova last year – is still very limited.

Thanos
Thanos
10 months ago
Reply to  Tibor

I personally don’t think that Finland has necessarily the same audience as songs like Serbia, Latvia and Spain. The former is a fun song but for me nothing more than that. It’s crazy it’s party, I like it for what it is but that’s that for me. The latter though are indeed alternative, artistic songs that have an audience and as I’ve seen many times those who like one of these, more or less likes the others as well (Serbia, Latvia and Spain are all in my top 5) as you also mentioned in another comment. So I don’t think… Read more »

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

Perhaps you are right, and I extrapolate a little too much from my personal taste in the first part of my comment. 😉

Thanos
Thanos
10 months ago
Reply to  Tibor

It’s perfectly understandable 🙂 . I am really into all sorts of alternative music, yet I still really like Sweden and Italy this year. Personal taste many times is not deterministic.
That said, I am disappointed with Germany’s last place. Should have gone higher. I grew to enjoy this entry.

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

I also enjoy some of the more mainstream stuff, and I think Sweden sent the best they had in Melodifestivalen this year. Nevertheless, I still think, they should shake it up a little. Italy always serves quality, I had a lot of other favourites in Sanremo, but even my tenth favourite there will still be something I can easily listen to. And that is what a good national final should strive for. I never vibed with the German song, but I still expected them to finish a little higher. Technically speaking, this was still progress, because at least they got… Read more »

Thanos
Thanos
10 months ago
Reply to  Tibor

Yes Sweden needs some reform. The biggest problem is the fact that in their NFs, virtually all songs sound the same. In 2022 and 2023, it just happened that there was one song with real potential and value that managed to win, hence two great years for Sweden at ESC. Of course this cannot always be the case though. And as much as I love Loreen, I hope that her victory doesn’t serve as an excuse for Sweden to continue on the same track. Italy is always in my top 5 since 2017 🙂 . They’ve missed my top 5… Read more »

Devilchu
Devilchu
10 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

As a Swede here I 100% agree! In fact, me and my friends were hoping and praying for Finland to win in that last split-screen in the Finals. We really want Melodifestivalen to change. It needs to change. We want more actual bands and singers and less TV-personalities in the competition. Songwriters should only be allowed to participate with one song in Mello so we can finally stop seeing G:son, Jimmy ‘Joker’ and the Debs behind every third act. As it stands right now the competition is controlled so that we, the people of Sweden, will choose something that was… Read more »

Tibor
Tibor
10 months ago
Reply to  Devilchu

In my opinion, you summarize the issue pretty well. Sweden used to be the leader of the pack that pushed the contest forward, but for quite some time now, they seem to stick to a formula that here and there still produces a competitive entry but makes the overall lineup rather dull. The danger is that the great results you produce with these few outstanding entries is still enough for the producers of Melodifestivalen to stick to their formula. The only thing that could make them reconsider is probably a drop in the domestic ratings for Melfest itself.

Monica
10 months ago

Have you all seen La Zarra giving the middle finger when she got the points?

Oy oy
Oy oy
10 months ago
Reply to  Monica

I thought I did but I couldn’t believe my eyes. But when you write this it was probably right :/

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
10 months ago
Reply to  Monica

Apparently it was an Arabic gesture, the way she curled her hand and stretched the rest of her fingers. It means, “oh well, whatever, never mind”.
At least that’s what I hope she intended! Even as a joke I think a real middle finger would be disrespectful/sour grapes.

Monica
10 months ago
Reply to  HarpyDarper

Arabic gesture my foot! Thats a world gesture to f**k you all.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
10 months ago
Reply to  HarpyDarper

Even as an Arabic gesture, it’s not nice. Compare with it with the dignity of Blanca Paloma

David
David
10 months ago

Seeing Malta last really hurts! It did not deserve it.

Seeing the same counties falter on the televote (Czechia, Australia, Malta for a start) shows why a jury is important in the semi final.

chris
chris
10 months ago

Malta finished last in JESC and ESC with locally produced songs. They should consider going back to the XFactor + foreign produced song which gave them two decent results.

Mel
Mel
10 months ago
Reply to  chris

Malta placed last but both songs were good. I don’t think the problem is how the winner is chosen … there were song which were much worse and got a better placing…

David
David
10 months ago
Reply to  chris

Or sending something in Maltese.

Oy oy
Oy oy
10 months ago
Reply to  chris

In ESC you should send songs written and produced in your own country. Just getting songs from other countries is like having national teams in sports just made up of players you have bought from other countries.

Chris
Chris
10 months ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Yes but those are not the current rules. Cyprus got a very decent result this year with a Swedish produced song

Devilchu
Devilchu
10 months ago
Reply to  Chris

As a Swede I absolutely hate this and Swedish songwriters/choreographers should not be allowed to produce for other countries in the ESC and/or the NF of other countries. There should be new rules about this in ESC as soon as possible. I wish there would be a petition to the EBU.

Teddi
Teddi
10 months ago

KAARJA THE MAIN CHARACTER OF ESC 2023.

J. Caves
J. Caves
10 months ago

Where can we check the whole televoting by country? I cannot find it at Eurovision tv

J. Caves
J. Caves
10 months ago
Reply to  J. Caves

Got it, thanks

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
10 months ago

Fun fact, Israel won the rest of the World with Finland coming 2nd. This happened in the final and in the semi.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
10 months ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Probably Israelis all over the world voted massively for her.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
10 months ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Yea…no lmao.

Milan
Milan
10 months ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

Yes, as soon as “the rest of the world” turns out to be Israel every time, it will become awkward.

EuroLove
EuroLove
10 months ago
Reply to  Milan

I think its not awkward at all.. they had a great show overall.
BTW most of europe countrys vote for their neigbors every year, for me thats too lame (Politics over Music)

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
10 months ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Another fun fact: Israel & The rest of the world prevented Malta from getting 0.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
10 months ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

How kind of Israel (not being sarcastic, I think that was cute)!

Orla Burke
Orla Burke
10 months ago

It’s quite clear ireland may as well be on the moon –

Milan
Milan
10 months ago
Reply to  Orla Burke

The song is to blame, not the geographical position.

Abs
Abs
10 months ago

Latvia got the highest set of points (8) from the rest of the world… strange how Sudden Lights was more valued outside of Europe. There will always be winners and losers in this contest, but if you want to support a group or singer that you liked, follow them on social media, listen to their songs, go to their concerts. Being sad is understandable but I’d rather support Sudden Lights instead of just complaining.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
10 months ago
Reply to  Abs

I kind of expected this, a substantial part of the comments in Aija’s videos came from Latin America

Mariella Trevisan
Mariella Trevisan
10 months ago

Malta last? Seriously? ???? That is the biggest shock for me! And they definitely didn’t deserve it but unfortunately, with a 100% televoting, we will never stand a chance ?

Oy oy
Oy oy
10 months ago

I really liked the song but I remember I found it kind of flat and boring first time I heard it but fell in love with it after some listenings. Maybe the typical viewer had it the same way and also the slot not being the best? Also remember 2004: Malta nr 2 with a ballad with 100% televote from slot nr 3!!! This shows that if you send great songs you can make it!

Milan
Milan
10 months ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Yes, and if Norse gods have mercy not to give you slot #2

Peter
Peter
10 months ago
Reply to  Oy oy

You mean 2005 in Kiev i supppose

Nicolas
Nicolas
10 months ago

Malta last was as predictable as Sweden winning the whole thing.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
10 months ago

Man, the semifinal’s results were all over the place and Latvia was so close this time, but will that be enough for them to stick around and try again next year? They’ve tried it all already 🙁

BiCHOTA
BiCHOTA
10 months ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

Honestly, Latvia seems to be so unlucky and unappealing that I can’t see them qualifying even if they managed to bring Lauv

Jake
Jake
10 months ago

Poland and Albania were the only semi 2 qualifiers to finish in the top 10 in the televote final. Clearly semi 1 was unbelievably harder to qualify from than semi 2.

Möhrant
Möhrant
10 months ago

So close for Latvia with only three points between then and Serbia! Also it’s such a big gap between those two and the 9th and 12th place songs (74 for Portugal, 37 and 34 for Serbia and Latvia and then Ireland getting only 10). Similar in semi final 2 as well with 30 points between the 10th and 11th placed songs.

Jake
Jake
10 months ago
Reply to  Möhrant

Serbia was there for the taking in semi 1. I think with juries Latvia would’ve qualified over Serbia if the final scores for Serbia were any indication. This was actually a bad year for Serbia.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
10 months ago
Reply to  Jake

Bad year how exactly? Just qualifying to the final with such a track that’s a bit of an acquired taste should be seen as a massive achievement. Not to mention their NF was easily one of the highlights this season.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
10 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

I think generally, Serbia have easier qualifications than this and are only NQing or close to NQing with really bad entries.
I thought Serbia had a great song this year but it was not a good result by their standards.

Felix
Felix
10 months ago

Bit of a parallel between Norway and Austria here – going first kinda sucks in the current system. Idk how it could be reworked in a fair way, but it’s kind of ridiculous how every year, we have people dreading what should be the honor of opening the show. (Asterisks to this statement: I also think a) Norway did a better performance in the final than semi-final, which is good and I’m glad she saved the best performance for last, 2) in the semi-finals, you have more superfans who were kinda “done” with Norway after hearing it 200 times and… Read more »