#ok time to tag all the countries for blog organisation purposes

[eurovision-del]

So that was the first semi final! No big surprises with the qualifiers, and overall I thought it was a decent show!

Qualifiers:

Croatia: Very glad to see this get through! I worried it might be too off-putting for a lot of televoters – thankfully that wasn’t the case! If anything I felt the performance was slightly tamer than I was expecting – no sheer outfits or rosebuds! But that might also be because I’ve grown used to Let 3 over the past few months. Still, so glad they’ll be in the final!  

Moldova: I was certain this was going to qualify with ease and I’m happy to be right! The performance was brilliant, the most atmospheric show of the night, I loved every part of it.

Switzerland: The only real ‘surprise’ – with nine entries in this semi the fandom seemed in agreement was going through, Switzerland was the one to take the coveted tenth spot! I did have a feeling one of the ballads might qualify, since they do have their audience and there aren’t that many this year, but I was also in denial because I really wanted this spot to go to another country. Ah well, Remo definitely earned it with his vocal performance, and the staging was also eye-catching.

Finland: Never in doubt! I knew pretty much everything about how this performance would go down from following the national final through to all the published rehearsal footage, yet it still managed to exceed my expectations! Käärijä popping out of the crate like that was perfect and I loved the transition to rainbow colours in the second half of the song. Fantastic song, fantastic show, now to see how far it can go on Saturday!!

Czechia: This one had cooled on me a little and I thought it might be borderline, but seeing it performed tonight I was sure it was going through. The performance was very cohesive, and the pink outfits really stood out against everything else in this semi. Not the strongest vocal performance but the overall energy made up for it.

Israel: I wasn’t impressed by her vocal. Noa kept us waiting by avoiding pre-parties, but she sounded fine to me in rehearsal footage so I’m not sure what happened tonight. It didn’t matter though, the spectacle was enough to see her through, even though honestly I could have done without this one making it.

Portugal: I’m so happy for Mimicat! People seemed worried that her staging was too sparse after the rehearsal footage, but she filled the stage tonight, and smashed that high note once again! I thought she was great! (although it was at this point when they were announcing qualifiers I realised I was going to lose my underdog faves)

Sweden: The other entry whose qualification was never in doubt. The only time I noticed the box was small was in the moment right after she first stood up, it looked as stunning as in MelFest for the rest of the performance – and of course that wouldn’t be noticed by a first-time viewer. Loreen knocked it out of the park, she’s deservingly very much in contention for the crown.

Serbia: My third place this year so I’m glad he got through! I did start to question Luke’s chances since he was announced so late, but thankfully he made it! The performance was what I expected, sharp and enticing – it was the exact vibe I was after!

Norway: Announcing her last took all the suspense out of the results honestly – no way she wasn’t going to qualify, the song is too memorable. The staging felt a little empty, as did Alessandra’s outfit actually, although I did like her cape in the first part. Her energy was decent though, and the song strong enough by itself to carry Norway right through to the final.

Non-Qualifiers:

Malta: I loved their show! The concept was the same as in MESC but elevated. The only thing I would have changed is I would have actually liked to see the jumper change onscreen – it was a little odd just seeing the saxophone and drummer and hearing a huge cheer – then the camera pans around and we saw the sparkly jumper. I loved every thing else though, and I’m sad it wasn’t enough. This semi was just too strong.

Latvia: Another huge heartbreak, probably my biggest of the night, though I knew their chances were always slim. The staging and performance was everything I could have asked for, I really hope Sudden Lights feel proud of the show they put on – they should! I’m so sad for Latvia failing to get through again, but I hope they stick to their guns and continue to send alternative and unique acts.

Ireland: A little sad that Ireland still haven’t cracked it yet, but based on the song this result was definitely fair. I vibed with the song more than I ever have this entire season, it was definitely tailor-made to be played in an arena like this and it helped it out having the crowd there, but it’s still not a very strong entry, so personally I’m glad it’s staying here.

Azerbaijan: I actually really enjoyed this one live. The split-screen effects might have been overused, it felt they were throwing everything at it, but the colour scheme was beautiful with the two-tone lights behind them switching colours throughout. In my live reactions I described it as ‘pleasant’ – unfortunately pleasant isn’t enough to qualify.

The Netherlands: Once Switzerland got through I knew this had no hope of making it. I still like it a lot as a song, but I think I prefer it in the studio cut. I didn’t enjoy when Dion sang up the octave – I can’t remember him doing that before, but I don’t think it worked. I really hope that they’re not given too much hassle by the media, they still put on a decent show.

I could have been more confident with my predictions actually – despite all my hopes this semi final went exactly according to the betting odds, which made for a not very exciting set of results, though in the end a reasonably deserved set. With Malta and Latvia both failing to make it, there’s no way Romania and San Marino, my underdog faves in semi 2, will qualify, but hopefully Austria and Australia should sail through, and I’m looking forward to what should be a great show no matter what!!