And Russia is participating this year, with Julia Samoilova, disabled since her childhood, therefore their target is to not only get diaspora but also sympathy points. And you just can't boo a person sitting in a wheelchair.
Kirchen's second account according to Spilak23, 21-07-2016 17:16
Luxemburger wrote:
And Russia is participating this year, with Julia Samoilova, disabled since her childhood, therefore their target is to not only get diaspora but also sympathy points. And you just can't boo a person sitting in a wheelchair.
My point exactly, the song is poor, she herself is a poor singer, Russia are desperate to win. Massive controversy as she has performed in Crimea and anyone who does so is not allowed on Ukrainian soil, Russia must have known this, it's a deliberate act against Ukraine.
More Eurodrama after Julia from Russia is denied entry to Ukraine in order to perform in Kyiv for the contest. This is because she performed in Crimea which means she is not allowed to enter Ukraine. Now she has been banned from entering Ukraine for 3 years which of course means that she will not be able to fly to Kyiv in May.
There was speculation about this happening, but now it has actually happened...
EwanWilson wrote:
More Eurodrama after Julia from Russia is denied entry to Ukraine in order to perform in Kyiv for the contest. This is because she performed in Crimea which means she is not allowed to enter Ukraine. Now she has been banned from entering Ukraine for 3 years which of course means that she will not be able to fly to Kyiv in May.
There was speculation about this happening, but now it has actually happened...
Correct decision, Russia knew of this law and done it as a deliberate act, but at least their sympathy vote has gone, they also said if the EBU doesn't do anything they will not participate in future contests, ok then you do that Russia, no one will care that your not there.
I'll make a video on my top 43 soon, however at the moment my top 5 is...
1
Serbia
2
Sweden
3
Norway
4
Belgium
5
Bulgaria
My favourites are very different to who I think could win, despite the fact I believe my top 5 will all get a top 10 placing in the final. I also say that Italy is a favourite, especially now that the video has over 70m views on YouTube. I also have a weird feeling that Hungary will really surprise us on the night of the final, especially in the jury vote because his voice is next level. I think Serbia will be exceptional during ESC this year, the could win the 2nd semi-final. Serbia know how to stage a song, this song is also very marketable and chart-friendly. Sweden of course has to be a favourite also, a catchy chorus with a captivating stage show which elevates the song to new heights.
As rehearsals start in Kyiv, the suspense is high in the Eurovision fandom as new bookies' favourites rise and fall. THe live shows start next week (9th May) and Italy comes into them as the runaway favourite with the song 'Occidentali's Karma'. THe battle for the rest of the top 5 seems far more wide open with Bulgaria, Sweden, Portugal and Belgium in the mix. Here are my picks to get top 5 in the jury and televote...
JURY
1
Sweden
2
Portugal
3
Italy
4
Bulgaria
5
France
TELEVOTE
1
Italy
2
Bulgaria
3
Sweden
4
Azerbaijan
5
Serbia
I'd also look out for a country like Hungary to get a sneaky top 5 and Azerbaijan if they get a good slot in the running order.
Italy drawn in the first half of the final...this could make things interesting. Let's see what happens to their odds during the day because that could hinder their chances at victory which before looked very clear.
1. UK
2. Armenia
3. Romania
4. Netherlands
5. France
6. Albania
7. Croatia
8. Azerbaijan
9. Bulgaria
10. Austria
Worst rehearsals:
1. Slovenia
2. San Marino
3. Czech Republic
4. Malta
5. Lithuania
6. Estonia
7. Serbia
8. Belgium
9. Greece
10. Italy
Just my opinion of course after watching first and second rehearsals for all countries. Really hope Belgium, Serbia, Greece and Italy can improve their performances as I really like those songs.
Having listened to most of the songs, I think Macedonia have come in as an incredibly underrated entry. The song is hip, catchy and the rehearsal looked good.
I like Italy too- but I'm still not convinced Francesco can sing live.
Disclaimer- Most of my posts are me thinking aloud. And most of what I think is rubbish.
Winner of a FIFA Prediction Fair Play Award (a phrase becoming increasingly ironic) "... Because he (me) has a sound tactical mind in general..." jandal7, at 9:30 am GMT on 12th May 2016
Underwhelming show to be honest, so many songs didn't live up to their studio versions - especially Latvia. Moldova and Cyprus were great live and worked exceptionally well, Moldova could get top 5 in the televote.
Moldova were excellent, as were the Czechs, Iceland , Finland and the juggernaut of Slavko. How Greece, Poland, Armenia and Belgium got in is beyond me.
Disclaimer- Most of my posts are me thinking aloud. And most of what I think is rubbish.
Winner of a FIFA Prediction Fair Play Award (a phrase becoming increasingly ironic) "... Because he (me) has a sound tactical mind in general..." jandal7, at 9:30 am GMT on 12th May 2016
weirdskyfan64 wrote:
Moldova were excellent, as were the Czechs, Iceland , Finland and the juggernaut of Slavko. How Greece, Poland, Armenia and Belgium got in is beyond me.
I agree with several of your judgements...personally liked Poland for her energy, but Greece, Armenia and Sweden most likely only came through due to their nation names. Performances, as the Belgian was, have been awful of all of those. Instead, the beutiful song of Finland surely should've made the final.
Sadly a very predictable 1st Semifinal, eventhough I took no looks at favourites/videos/odds and stuff, guessed 9/10 right (thought Finland would come through instead of Greece)...I guess Iceland, Georgia and Finland were close to qualify while Cyprus (eventhough I liked them really), Armenia (god hopefully, that was just a garbage refrain) and Greece might be in trouble of scoring well in the final
winner of today surely were Poland, Moldova and Portugal in terms of performance, but I fear that by the names Sweden (wtf was this?, can't hit any high notes and probably the most horrible songtext of this ESC, even beating Montenegro), Belgium (again can't sing live, but the most modern beat) and Australia (that make-up pretender with a shivering but okay voice and a pan-flat message) will be the contenders out of these...
Serbia
Sweden
Norway
Belgium
Bulgaria
Portugal
Italy
France
Azerbaijan
Denmark (Anja <3)
Estonia
3. GB
6. NL
7. AR
