After the first semi-final, Eurovisionary has stepped back into our time machine to see who will qualify from Thursday’s second semi-final. Our journey has shown us who will claim the last ten available places in the final.
Lithuania – InCulto – Eastern European Funk – The first song is possibly in the ‘love it or hate it’ category. They finished sixth a few years ago with a song in the same vein, and who is to say the same won’t happen this year?
Verdict: It doesn’t deserve to qualify, but enough people will find it amusing enough to vote for it.
Armenia – Eva Rivas – Apricot Stone – To those that don’t know the significance of the Apricot to Armenians, the words will sound strange, even silly. Armenia is thought by many to be a certainty to be in the final.
Verdict: I expect to be proved wrong, but something tells me that this is where it ends for the Armenians.
Israel – Harel Skaat – Milim -Emotion will exude from every pore of Harel’s body due to the intense meaning the words have for him. Sometimes, the emotion can be over the top and off-putting, but kept under control, it can prove to be a clincher.
Verdict: The juries will love it, and so will sufficient members of the voting public.
Denmark – Chanée & N’evergreen – In A Moment Like This – Rumours of a potentially damaging rift between the Danes main protagonists have proved to be exaggerated. The rock inspired duet has power, a good tune and lots or promise.
Verdict: Denmark will qualify near the top of the scoreboard.
Switzerland – Michael von der Heide – Il Pleut de L’Or – The Swiss have a very good song and deserve to be in the final, but how many times has that sort of analysis fallen flat on its face?
Verdict: In the strongest of the semi-finals, good songs will fall by the wayside. Switzerland, unfortunately, will be one of them.
Sweden – Anna Bergendahl – This Is My Life – In a semi-final dominated by ballads, some risk being lost in the crowd. Sweden is famous and loved for its schlager songs and would have been better served by sending one this year.
Verdict: A fan favourite will be missing on Saturday.
Azerbaijan – Safura – Drip Drop – The favourite with the bookies from the beginning, the Azeri’s must be fancying their chances. A lot could depend on her performance.
Verdict: It seems destined to cascade like a waterfall rather than ‘drip drop’ into the final.
Ukraine – Alyosha – Sweet People – After a disastrous and ultimately rushed selection process, the Ukrainians are left with a rock ballad. Usually associated with good, solid pop, they might be left wishing they had stuck to that tried and tested formula.
Verdict: It’s really hard to imagine Alyosha competing on Saturday.
The Netherlands – Sieneke – Ik Ben Verliefd (Sha-La-Lie) – After years of disappointments, the Dutch have tuned to the man famous for being songwriter to the Smurfs. He has written a very jolly tune and bravely insisted that it is sung in Dutch. It is a breath of fresh air and it would be fantastic to see this ‘pick-me-up of a song in the final.
Verdict: Sentiment is no substitute for reality, and chances are, Sienke may be packing her suitcase on Friday morning. Shame!
Romania – Paula Seling & Ovi – Playing With Fire – Surely the best use of the piano since Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran in 1977. If it does qualify for the final, it will be by the width of a piano key. If it fails to go any further, it will only just miss out
Verdict: The width of a piano key it is.
Slovenia – Ansambel Žlindra & Kalamari – Narodnozabavni Rock – Credit must be given to the Slovenes for singing in their own language. Unfortunately, their song will be forgotten almost as soon as it has finished.
Verdict: Absolutely no chance of being one of the ten.
Ireland – Niamh Kavanagh – It’s For You – The 1993 winner returns with another ballad. Irish hopes are high after some lean years in the wilderness.
Verdict: Ireland has been absent from the final many times over recent years and it would be a massive shock if Niamh wasn’t there come Saturday.
Bulgaria – Miro – Angel Si Ti – This is a good draw for Miro, coming as he does after a ballad and one of the less memorable songs in the second semi-final. The vibrant presentation will help rather than hinder.
Verdict: It will qualify, but only just.
Cyprus – Jon Lilygreen & The Islanders – Life Looks Better In Spring – After a few duds in recent years, Cyprus came to Oslo with one of the stronger songs of the 39. The MOR style will have wide appeal and it sounds sincere.
Verdict: Don’t check out of the hotel yet, Jon
Croatia – Feminnem – Lako Je Sve – Having represented Bosnia with a pop song, Feminnen return for Croatia with an unmistakingly Balkan ballad. It stands out from the crowd of ballads.
Verdict: If Croatia isn’t in the final, we should all give up hope.
Georgia – Sofia Nizharadze – Shine – Missing out last year for political reasons, Georgia’s return is an uncontroversial, classy balled with optimistic lyrics. The staging is a bit busier than is needed which could be a distraction.
Verdict: It’s a dark horse, but probably won’t be able to muster quite enough votes.
Turkey – maNga – We Could Be the Same – Turkey has been a regular visitor to the Eurovision final since the semi-finals were introduced, a big and popular turnaround from the days when they would regularly prop up the scoreboard. maNga were chosen by TRT to write and perform the song this year. The faith has been justified.
Verdict: If maNga aren’t in the final, I’ll run down my street naked.
Is the winner among this group of songs? At about 2200 BST, we will know the answer.
