Greetings from sunny Southport (well it was earlier) on Eurovision Saturday! Tonight the ESC2017 reaches its climax with the Grand Final, after two entertaining semi-finals.
No one seems to have located my Euro-mojo. I certainly haven’t! Just one of those things this time around, I guess (although you will see my realisation on my comments for song 25, below!). I think the main reason is that, other than Sweden and the departed Finland, I don’t much care who wins. I’m ready to be surprised by the outcome tonight. Italy were dethroned as bookies favourite last night, and it is now Portugal predicted as the next winner. It’s all bonkers for me – let’s see whether the professional juries and voting public think it’s the best song.
So, one last time, here are my thoughts on the finalists, who will compete tonight in this running order…
- Israel
The last performance of the second semi-final opens the show. Yeah, we need an up-tempo number to get our Euro-party started. Not Israel’s year, and certainly not the strongest song they have sent in the last few years. Mind you, as I said the other day, if pretty boys won the Eurovision, we’d be off to Jerusalem next year.
- Poland
No song has ever won from performing second, and that ain’t gonna change this year. I think this is a rather dull ballad, and the early draw will kill it off. Although let’s not forget that Poland had a * huge * televote last year, so the diaspora vote may lift this in the final standings.
- Belarus
This was one of the biggest crowd-pleasers of either semi-final. Is it too early in the draw? I want it to do really well, and it is one of the songs that puts a smile on my face. And the presentation on stage was cute. C’mon Belarus!
- Austria
Another cute song and performance. And with the Ed Sheeran sound it should do ok. Perhaps a little early in the draw?
- Armenia
I was disappointed by the performance after seeing the highly choreographed video. I do like the song, and it’ll do well.
- The Netherlands
FYI, Eurofans, this is my most-listened-to ESC song this week. Love it. What’s not to like: fab harmonies, that retro vibe and those bejewelled frocks. These three sisters are certainly doing it for themselves. I think being later in the running order would have helped them. I am willing them on!
- Moldova
Kill me, kill me now! This will do well, but a bit like Latvia and those pirates of the sea, all those years ago, I find it highly irritating. And it was one of my students who was telling my the internet sensation that the sax guy became a while back. Funny that, because I find the sax the most irritating part!
- Hungary
Points off for the man bun! Although kudos for standing out with something suitably indigenous musically from Hungary.
- Italy
Some fans saying the draw has killed the former hot fave off. Nah, Sweden and Austria have won from this section of the draw. Besides, if it’s that much of a hot fave the draw shouldn’t matter. It will do really well, and I will like it more when it doesn’t win 🙂
- Denmark
Nice song, fab vocal, nice performance. A bit beige for me, but the performances this week have lifted the song. I like it more than I did. But do you get my thing about it getting a bit too Mariah Carey screechy towards the end?
- Portugal
Well, will we be in Lisbon next year? Will Europe see through the slightly awkward performance and be enchanted by this chanson? I really don’t get it being installed as the fave. But then, I’m ready to be surprised tonight.
- Azerbaijan
The bonkers aspect of the man on a ladder with a horse head hasn’t been explained. We are apparently to draw our own conclusions. Well, yes, I have!
- Croatia
Blimey, that weird thing of switching between the opera voice and the regular voice is a bit strange! Clearly peeps like the life-affirming message of the song.
- Australia
Not as stellar a song as Dami Im sung last year. The juries will probs like it. And hey, let’s see if the novelty factor has worn off. Remember, if they do win they will nominate a country to host it. We will not be headed down under…
- Greece
A bit of europop fromage for the evening. I will be refreshing the snacks and nibbles at this point…
- Spain
As I said yesterday, this is one of the most impressive visuals. I love the backdrop and the projections. Very clever – it will lift the song. His vocal was a bit pitchy in rehearsals, so let’s see if that improves. Good effort from Spain.
- Norway
I was surprised to see this in the final. Clearly the rather unoriginal sound and visuals were of more interest to the fans and viewers. I think it’s the guys wearing masks – not particularly original. Yes I know – since when did Eurovision have to be original!
- United Kingdom
Blimey, the UK is in the top ten favourites! Lucy Jones has impressed Kyiv with that belter of a vocal, and coupled with the visuals it does have impact. For me, the song is dull, dull, dull. Of course I want Lucy to do well, and I will be cheering the UK on. Let’s see if we can break with tradition and end the evening on the left side of the leader board. I am not holding my breath!
- Cyprus
For me, this is the most improved song of the week. I love the staging – it’s clever and it makes the most of the song, with stylish visuals and choreography. Of the men performing tonight, it’s one of the best for me.
- Romania
Yup. I’ll say it again. The song is Mars Attacks! for me, and I’m the aliens… * head explodes *. It’s going to do rather well. A return to the competition will see Romania scale the top end of the leader board. Picture the scene later tonight: by song twenty Europe will have had a drink and this will sound ace! 🙂
- Germany
All rather unmemorable for me…
- Ukraine
The rock vibe stands out from everything else, but certain to not scale the heights of last year for the host country.
- Belgium
Probably one of the best songs of the week. It would be on the radio and you would sing along. That said, probably one of the weakest performances. The poor girl looks terrified. But hey – that’s what makes it memorable. Who knows, Blanche might style it our tonight? Going to do well…
- Sweden
This is my favourite song of the year, and not just due to my annual love of the Swedish song. Impressive performance and a sing-along song. The fans will be fuming if we have to go back to Sweden. Robin should do well tonight, and probs a top five, deffo top ten finish. Oh, and those eyes… could you faint 🙂
- Bulgaria
OMG – I might just have had a realisation why my Euro-mojo is weak this year! I think it’s because I can’t understand why the whole bunch of songs that are predicted to top the leader board are predicted to do so. And this song, as much as Portugal, baffles me why it’s third favourite. Yes a decent song, and a visually tidy performance, but I just don’t get it!
- France
Not the best song to end on. Sweden would have been better. All rather dull for me.
Well, my Euro-chums, that’s what I think. And yes, I do seem rather unimpressed, don’t I! Not to worry, because for all us fans the excitement is building and I am looking forward to the show, and let’s hope that Graham Norton is on good form.
I’m off to sort the drinks, snacks and nibbles.
Let’s get our Euro-party started and “Celebrate Diversity”!
Enjoy the show!
🙂 xx