Eurovision 2011 Semi Final 1 Predictions

Tonight 19 songs will become 10. I've had mixed fortunes at predicting the qualifiers in the past but this is how I currently think things will go.


Definite Qualifiers

Greece - I thought this was a dreadful song when first selected but it's a powerful and confident performance and should breeze through. Eurovision without Greece is about as unthinkable as Eurovision without Sweden but then we all know what happened there last year!

Azerbaijan - Great vocals, good use of backing singers and simple, classy choreography. Holding back on last year's slightly over-the-top staging has actually worked well for them.

Norway - I just can't help smiling when I see Stella Mwangi perform this. My initial contest favourite, Haba Haba fell back in my ratings, which I think was mainly due to its early selection. I'm sure viewers hearing this for the first time will love it. The only problem is Stella performing in the dreaded/doomed 2nd position.

Russia - Bland, generic, arrogant - just a few of the comments I've heard against this song. It's one of my personal favourites this year and I really want a pair of those light-up shoes! Someone let me know where I can get them!

Armenia - Boom Boom, Ding Dong, Haba Haba, Da Da Dum - this really is the year of catchy nonsense titles. This little number seems catchy enough to see Armenia progress once again.

Turkey - Eurovision without Turkey would be like Christmas without turkey; although many countries seem to get on perfectly well without it and most people end up complaining it's a little dry. Anyway, I like this little rock number, even if it IS a litte repetitive and lacking in the true stadium rock feel. Hard Rock Hallelujah this is not!



Probable Qualifiers

Finland - It's difficult to write a song about the environment without sounding cheesy (even Michael Jackson was guilty of this) but this is a nice simple, sweet song that I think the voters of Europe will like. Not quite Tom Dice but shouldn't have too much trouble making the final.

Albania - 12 points for effort, you couldn't ask her to try any harder in this performance. At the bottom of the pile for me until the rehearsals Albania has been a pleasant surprise! I just hope they don't use up all Germany's gas with all that fire!

Iceland - I think this song actually sounded better in Icelandic but it's a nice, enjoyable performance nonetheless.

Georgia - Verging on screeching this is a loud, brash song but has something that makes me think it will go through.



Possible Qualifiers

Hungary - A whole line of previous fan favourite non-qualifiers (Kate Ryan, Paulo Meneguzzi, DJ Bobo) makes me think Hungary will struggle to qualify. The staging doesn't do the song justice and her vocals struggle at times.

Serbia - Never thought I'd see Serbia sending a song like this. It's nice enough but I can't stand the background and I find it hard to remember once I've heard all the other songs.


Outside Chance - Switzerland, Poland


No Chance! - Croatia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, San Marino



Video recap of semi final 1 rehearsals.



So in summary, here are the countries I reckon will qualify tonight:

Greece, Azerbaijan, Norway, Russia, Armenia, Turkey, Finland, Albania, Iceland, Georgia.

Google Eurovision 'Predictor' is back

The Google Predictor analyses Google search data and translates that into a score for each country based on search popularity. It correctly predicted Norway's 2009 win and Lena's win last year. Worryingly Jedward are currently topping the chart! Dublin next year?

Blue songs in Eurovision

Desperately searching Youtube for a leak of Blue's Eurovision song I came across a number of Eurovision entries with Blue in the title or artist. Since we have to wait a whole day to hear the real Blue song I thought I'd share these with you.

Luxembourg: Vicky - L'amour Est Bleu (Love Is Blue) - 4th in 1967



Austria: Blue Danube - Du Bist Musik - 8th in 1980



Germany: Lena Valaitis - Johnny Blue - 2nd in 1981



Austria: Systems In Blue & Thomas Forstner - Nur Ein Lied (Only A Song) - 5th in 1989




Iceland: Jónsi - Heaven - 19th in 2004

Ok I'm struggling a little now but when I think of 'blue' songs in Eurovision this is the first that comes into my mind with the lyric in the chorus 'blend your colours with my blue'. Watch him sing his little heart out and come 19th in 2004.



p.s. It's not the Jónsi of Sigur Ros fame.


And finally, vaguely related, the Blue Man Group's performance at last year's Melodifestivalen final in Sweden. Maybe Blue should dress like this for their performance!

Melodifestivalen 2011 Final

So after a rather surprising Andra Chansen result Sara Varga and The Moniker complete the lineup for the Melodifestivalen final at the Globe Arena in Stockholm on Saturday. This is the order they will perform.

Eric Saade is the favourite to win, having been top of the Swedish iTunes chart and favourite with the bookies. However as we've seen with previous years anything can happen.

1. Danny Saucedo - In the club (Figge Boström, Peter Boström, Danny Saucedo)
2. Sara Varga - Spring för livet (Sara Varga, Fredrik Boström)
3. The Moniker - Oh my God! (Daniel Karlsson)
4. Brolle - 7 days and 7 nights (Brolle)
5. Linda Bengtzing - E del fet på mej (Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G:son, Jörgen Ringqvist, Daniel Barkman)
6. Nicke Borg - Leaving home (Jojo Borg Larsson, Nicke Borg, Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström)
7. Swingfly - Me and my drum (Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström, Swingfly)
8. Sanna Nielsen - I'm in love (Irini Michas, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljunggren)
9. The Playtones - The King (Fredrik Kempe, Peter Kvint)
10. Eric Saade - Popular (Fredrik Kempe)

Youtube playlist of the 10 songs:

Beginner's guide to Andra Chansen

As Sweden's journey to choose its 2011 Eurovision representative reaches its penultimate phase I thought it worth explaining how the second chance round works. You've probably worked out by now that in each semi final 2 songs go direct to the final and 2 songs go to Andra Chansen.

In Andra Chansen rather than the 2 songs with the most votes going to the final, the songs compete against each other in a series of duels.

So, first thing to note about Andra Chansen - because of the duels only one from each of these 'pots' can go to through to the final:

One of these to the final:
Jenny Silver
Love Generation
Loreen
Sara Varga

One of these to the final:
The Moniker
Linda Pritchard
Shirley’s Angels
Pernilla Andersson


This is how it will work on the night:


Duel 1
Jenny Silver – Something In Your Eyes
vs
Love Generation – Dance Alone





Duel 2
Loreen – My Heart Is Refusing Me
vs
Sara Varga – Spring för livet





So the second round will be Jenny or Love Generation vs Loreen or Sara and the winner will go to the final.


Duel 3
The Moniker – Oh My God!
vs
Linda Pritchard – I’m Alive





Duel 4
Shirley’s Angels – I Thought It Was Forever
vs
Pernilla Andersson - Desperados





So the second round will be The Moniker or Linda vs Shirley’s Angels or Pernilla and the winner will go to the final.

So just to reiterate

One of these to the final:
Jenny Silver
Love Generation
Loreen
Sara Varga

One of these to the final:
The Moniker
Linda Pritchard
Shirley’s Angels
Pernilla Andersson

I really hope Sweden choose Loreen and Linda Pritchard to the final.

Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 24th

I've still got Christmas shopping to do today so just one 24th place video for you! And it's a good one :-)

Spain: Soraya - La Noche Es Para Mi - 24th place in Moscow with 23 points




Ok just one more then. I liked this one but no one else did.


Norway: Knut Anders Sørum - High - 24th place in Istanbul 2004 with 3 points (from Sweden)





and one last one I thought would do well that came 24th.


Denmark: Malene - Tell Me Who You Are - 24th in Tallinn 2002 with 7 points

Love Eurovision Advent Calendar: 25th

Merry Christmas!

If you're reading my blog then shame on you! You should be eating and drinking more! Then again so should I! Quickly before I go the lovely Josh Dubovie would like to share his 25th place entry 'That Sounds Good To Me' with you.





In 2009 it was Finland's turn to come 25th in the final.


Finland: Waldo's People - Lose Control - 25th at Moscow 2009 with 22 points.





Christmas needs something a little more impressive don't you think? How about the 25th country to perform in this year's Eurovision final? Denmark was my favourite entry this year so it's a fitting Christmas present from me to you. Merry Christmas!


Denmark: Chanée & N'evergreen - In A Moment Like This - 4th place in Oslo with 149 points




Oh and a final happy Christmas from the official Eurovision team