Andy Abraham won UK's ticket, Teräsbetoni did it for Finland, Diana Gurtskaya will represent Georgia and Latvia chose Pirates Of The Sea.

Only 13 to go if I'm not wrong (including Bosnia)

Selection Weekend Since Belgium Isn't A Final 'Til Next Week

Got the Pirates, missed the Blind Lady of Georgia, sorta called the XFactor on second thought and had the Finnish Noisy Horse. Yay for me ^_^ In Sweden got Charlotte right, called the dark horse (they went to Andra Chancen) and one of the second tier which got a promo. Not great on that, as it's bloody annoying schlager moving on. Sweden, you didn't even try.

Belgium Projections If You Forget...

Called the Final 2, missed the wildcard!

As we'll be adding songs through the week...BIH will be added into the mix while a proper review or whatever I do will be added as a comment. Full spec will be Wednesday for the Germans and Friday (with the German and Dutch and, hell, maybe even French added) for the Spaniards and the locked-up Armenians!

March 2-8
7th - Netherlands - Presentation of Entry
8th - Armenia - National Selection
8th - Spain - Salvemos Eurovisión Final
8th - Montenegro - Presentation of Song
8th - Sweden - Last Chance Knockoff

If songs leak, Russia & Portugal will be spec'ed on Saturday Night as will Belgium and maybe Serbia. Sweden's spec is on Friday the 13th.

March 9-15
9th - Russia - Евровидение Final
9th - Belgium - Eurosong Final
9th - Portugal - Festival da Canção Final
9th - Serbia - Semifinal
10th - Serbia - Beovijizia Final
11th - San Marino - Decision On Song Made, Announcement
15th - Sweden - Melodifestivalen Final

March 17th - Official Draw for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest

Waiting on Info...
France


Ranking The Songs!

01 Israel - Boaz Mauda, "Ke'ilo Kan"
02 Bulgaria - Deep Zone f. Balthazar, "DJ Take Me Away"
03 Albania - Olta Boka, "Zemrën e lamë peng"
04 Turkey - Mor ve Ötesi, "Deli"
05 Ukraine - Ani Lorak, "Shady Lady"
06 Belarus - Ruslan Alekhno - "Hasta la Vista"
07 Ireland - Dustin The Turkey, "Irlande Douze Points"
08 Greece - Kalomoira, "Secret Combination"
09 Slovenia - Rebeka Dremelj, "Vrag naj vzame"
10 Finland - Teräsbetoni, "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa" Spinal Tap does Queen, sorta. The beat is ****ing hot, the guitar work impressive, the hair as long as the best hair band. No idea what the song is, as Finnish not so easy to pick out. Maybe a tad more legit in terms of "rock" than Lordi since there's no facemasks and I like it, I think this might get some eyerolls from Europe cuz the Fins won't schlager.
11 Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka, "Pokusaj" This...this is an odd song. Well, the perf is interesting...Laka and Columbia from "Rocky Horror Picture Show" sing to each other down on the farm with guys bailing air. They run around a lot. There's a chicken on stage. Yes, a chicken. It's very avante-garde. But the song? Is a more upbeat version of the usual song. It's rather nifty to hear and I like the visual for I like chaos and I fully expect to move this around on this charts but I'm not sure if this will do anything in the broken-down semifinals with only Slovenia and Montenegro as natural voters. And maybe Finland, just for the chicken.
12 Switzerland - Paolo Meneguzzi, "Era Stupendo"
13 Malta - Morena, "Vodka"
14 Azerbaijan - Elnur Huseynov f. Samir Javadzadeh, "Day After Day"
15 Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea, "Wolves Of The Sea" To their credit they're the only comedy entry in their semi. And while I like the song and think it's rather fetching, the perf and vocals reek and it smells of desperation. Which kills the funny acts (see UK 2007) and, unlike Ireland's tounge-in-cheek approach or Estonia's mind**** this seems to take itself far too serious (see Iceland 2006) to be rewarded. I still see it in the Finals but it's gonna falter there.
16 Iceland - Eurobandið, "This Is My Life"
17 Germany - No Angels, "Disappear" Lets start with the bad: the vocal in hamburg was ****. But there are wind machines and that makes things fun! I do like the song and, for a ballad, it's rather nice. But if the vocal is as bad in Belgrade as it was tonight, this will fall smack on its face.
18 Cyprus - Evdokia Kadi, "Femme fatale"
19 United Kingdom - Andy Abraham, "Even If" After learning the error of Scooch they shall try anew with a real song. A bland song, but one with enough of a pulse (it registers lightly, but it's there) that could maybe get it Top 15 in the Final. Any higher might be a pleasant surprise. Still say The Revelations should have won but the UK didn't get them to the damn SuperFinal anyways -_-
20 Czech Republic - Tereza Kerndlová, "Have Some Fun"
21 Andorra - Gisela, "Casanova"
22 Estonia - Kreisiraadio, "Leto svet"
23 Moldova - Geta Burlacu, "A Century of Love"
24 Romania - Nico & Vlad Miriţă, "Pe-o margine de lume"
25 Georgia - Diana Gurtskaya, "Peace Will Come" Being fair to the blind woman, her voice is odd, the song draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaags and the visual sucks (like they played a joke on her). Yes, it's a peace song and it does well in the contest but unlike the gloriousness of "Visionairy Dream" this will struggle to make a presence. Although the devil biker to angel costume change (ON A BLIND WOMAN WHO HAS NO IDEA WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE) in 3 seconds via big ass sheet moving over her done by her guideman (the costume change, other guys yank the sheet) is rather impressive.
26 Poland - Isis Gee, "For Life"
27 Croatia - Kraljevi Ulice en 75 Cents, "Romanca"
28 Hungary - Csézy, "Candelight" Oh, I forgot this: In English, worse than an Idol Coronation Song. ****** lyrics that make me want to pull teeth.
29 Denmark - Simon Matthew, "All Night Long"
30 Macedonia FYR - Tamara feat. Vrcak & Adrian Gaxha, "Vo ime na ljubovta"
31 Norway - Maria Haukaas Storeng, "Hold On Be Strong"
32 Lithuania - Jeronimas Milius, "Nomads in the night"

Which does indeed leave us with 13 to go! Before Propper slagging on 7/10 of the entries

Semi 1: (1) Israel (2) Ireland (3) Slovenia (4) Greece (5) Finland (6) Bosnia & Herzegovina (7) Azerbaijan (8) Andorra (9) Estonia (Jury) Moldova
Semi 2: (1) Bulgaria (2) Albania (3) Turkey (4) Ukraine (5) Belarus (6) Switzerland (7) Malta (8) Latvia (9) Iceland (Jury) Georgia

TOP 5 TO WIN Ukraine, Ireland, Israel, Estonia, Greece
TOP 5 TO NIL POINTS Ireland, Norway, Lithuania, Croatia, Estonia
TOP 5 ALREADY INTO THE FINALS Ukraine, Israel, Greece, Romania, Belarus
TOP 5 STARING AT A LAST PLACE IN SEMI Lithuania, Norway, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland

Ugh I just heard our song entries ths weekend and they were all bloody terrible or ridiculous. It's like they don't even ask themselves if the song they are singing is something they would release in the charts and expect to do well with (without Eurovision publicity) because if they did the answer would be a resounding 'No'. If you wouldn't try the charts with it, why enter it in an international competition?! We seem to have this stereotypical impression of the Eurovision which the other entrants have so moved on from and are actually serious about their entries and yet we think we have a chance and on the flipside when we do badly that same prejudice allows us to say oh well it's a taletnless shame anyway so who cares? What a joke

Anyway, I liked Andy in X Factor but this song is like 80's Rick Astley, it was good then, not now and the rest...

My poor ADORA, and poor Brits in general. Well, it's hard to expect the UK to do something interesting or different (like Bosnia, who's perf was released today and...well...it has a chicken in it. It's very high art) but I blame Terry Wogan and the Cult of Eastern Europe Is To Blame.

I still think The Revolutions could have done rather well but the vocal of the lead was way the hell off. I also get annoyed that the main Brit charters see Eurovision as beneath them. It's not. It's a great chance to go from a British artist to a European artist and we know plenty of Brit Acts have done well throughout Europe.

Why they won't just beg Xenomania to send Girls Aloud or try paying Morrisey or give Westlife or Take That or Robbie or Sophie or, hell, send an indie act like Arctic Monkeys or Babyshambles (which would be amazering) or how about asking hot up-and-commers (could you imagine Duffy doing "Mercy" in Belgrade?). ****, do what Germany did for Istanbul and pick SONGS THAT MADE THE CHARTS BETWEEN OCTOBER 1 (as a debut) AND THE DATE OF THE NATIONAL FINAL?!?!?!?!

Of course, they won't. Eurovision is a joke and the Eastern Europeans vote for each other and they hate the UK for Iraq. It's not that almost every other nation competing, even with the comedy acts - Estonia & Ireland - take this **** seriously AND the UK chooses to send has-beens and never-weres with dated songs that will fall yet again to get over the Top 15.

Next year UK, thy the Norwegian approach - 18 songs, 3 semis AND A JURY WILDCARD ROUND and a Final of 8. Gives people a chance to pick faves AND helps encourage better songs and staging.

Also note; Bosnia's song comments are up in yesterday's blog.

Bosnian's entry sound so indie, I guess.

Have you guys heard Polish entries? theyre terrible... Plastic is the only decent song but it wont win for sure

^Isis Gee won Polish ticket. I like the song but Mikal say it is so so so so boring... I love Sandra Oxenryd's Superheroes and her performance was great but anyway.

Israeli entry is so good.

Isis sound like she is performing a wedding dirge. Won't be shocked if it makes it by Jury, though, they are due a Finals slot.

My poor Kasia Nova sucked and blew that night

Yes, they gave Kenny Chesney 11 or 12 noms which is both stupid and ridonkulus, but MIRANDA LAMBERT GOT 3! INCLUDING FLIPPING FINALLY AN ALBUM OF THE YEAR NOD! Mind you, they also nommed Taylor Swift in that category, but I don't care.

The Nominees and Who I Think Will/Should Win:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- Rascal Flatts
- George Strait
- Keith Urban

More Duh. would it kill ya to nom a girl? Hell, I'd accept a Carrie nod here (provided she doesn't win).

Should Win: Brad Paisley
Will Win: Kenny Chesney
Dark Horse: George Strait

TOP MALE VOCALIST
- Rodney Atkins
- Kenny Chesney
- Brad Paisley
- George Strait
- Keith Urban

Duh.

Should Win: Brad Paisley
Will Win; George Strait
Dark Horse: Keith Urban

TOP FEMALE VOCALIST
- Miranda Lambert
- Martina McBride
- LeAnn Rimes
- Taylor Swift
- Carrie Underwood

I think...I think this is the time Carrie's Pretty Princess Pony Ass gets sat down.

Should Win: Miranda Lambert
Will Win: Miranda Lambert
Dark Horse: LeAnn Rimes

TOP VOCAL GROUP
- Diamond Rio
- Eagles
- Emerson Drive
- Little Big Town
- Rascal Flatts

O.o. Are the Eagles country now?

Should Win: Little Big Town
Will Win: Rascal Flatts
Dark Horse: Eagles

TOP VOCAL DUO
- Big & Rich
- Brooks & Dunn
- Halfway To Hazard
- Montgomery Gentry
- Sugarland

Will the Brooks & Dunn Memorial Top Vocal Duo Award stay home or go elsewhere? I think it shall!

Should Win: Sugarland
Will Win: Sugarland
Dark Horse: Brooks & Dunn

TOP NEW MALE VOCALIST
- Luke Bryan
- Jack Ingram
- Jake Owen

And who are these 3?

Should Win: Dunno
Will Win: Jake Owen
Dark Horse: One of the Others

TOP NEW FEMALE VOCALIST
- Sarah Buxton
- Kellie Pickler
- Taylor Swift

Battle of the Blondes?

Should Win: Kellie Pickler
Will Win: Taylor Swift
Dark Horse: Is there one?

TOP NEW DUO OR VOCAL GROUP
- Carolina Rain
- Lady Antebellum
- The Wreckers

Er...

Should & Will Win: The Wreckers
Dark Horse: Hell if I know, I don't know either

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- 5th Gear - Brad Paisley
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - Miranda Lambert
- Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates - Kenny Chesney
- If You're Going Through Hell - Rodney Atkins
- Taylor Swift -Taylor Swift

FINALLY. FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! Someone recognizes that Miranda's album is one of the best from last year. Mind you, it's one of the best country albums this decade and one of the best made in a looooooooooooong while but of course I still see the good ole boys ignoring her.

Should Win: Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Will Win; 5th Gear
Dark Horse: If You're Going Through Hell

SINGLE RECORD OF THE YEAR
- Don't Blink, Kenny Chesney
- Famous In A Small Town, Miranda Lambert
- Lost In This Moment, Big & Rich
- Stay, Sugarland
- Watching Airplanes, Gary Allan

This is a rather surprising category, as three songs deserve the win here. I think it should be between Sugarland and Gary but I suspect Kenny will win something other than Entertainer, so I see it here.

Should Win: Watching Airplanes
Will Win: Don't Blink
Dark Horse: Famous In A Small Town

SONG OF THE YEAR
- Don't Blink, Kenny Chesney
- Lost In This Moment, Big & Rich
- Moments, Emerson Drive
- Watching You, Rodney Atkins
- Stay, Sugarland

Of course NOW that damn "Moments" song finally gets nommed. evil evil song.

Should Win: Stay
Will Win: Lost In This Moment
Dark Horse: Don't Blink

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- Don't Blink - Kenny Chesney
- Lost In This Moment - Big & Rich
- Online - Brad Paisley
- Stay - Sugarland
- Watching You - Rodney Atkins

There's one legit winner here - Sugarland - but I doubt they'd give it to them.

Should Win: Stay
Will Win: Online
Dark Horse: Lost In This Moment

VOCAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
- Because Of You - Reba McEntire Duet With Kelly Clarkson
- Find Out Who Your Friends Are - Tracy Lawrence With Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney
- Shiftwork - Kenny Chesney Duet With George Strait
- Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore - Bon Jovi Featuring LeAnn Rimes
- What You Give Away - Vince Gill With Sheryl Crow

Really? This is the best we could do?

Should Win; What You Give Away
Will Win: Shiftwork
Dark Horse: Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore

Germany

Like I'm moving the whole 31 songs down. Netherlands is Friday and THEN I shall post the Spanish predictions. Armenia is anyone's guess, Montenegro presents their song and hell, we could have France FINALLY announces that Alizee is their singer. She's hot, but if the vid I saw is what she does...er...she might wanna find her way out of 1997.

Anyways, Germany. 5 songs. Any of them could win, although I prefer 4 of the 5 entries. As it is a SuperFinal we sorta have to guess what two make the SuperFinals or whatever. Grr. I think I want Carolin Fortenbacher to win but I hope for Cinema Bizarre or think Marquess would be fun. No Angels would be superfun but Carolin's ballad is better.

Should Make SuperFinal: Carolin Fortenbacher, "Hinter Ozean" & Marquess, "La Histeria"
Will Make SuperFinal: Cinema Bizarre, "Forever Or Never" & No Angels, "Disappear"
Should Win: Marquess
Will Win: Cinema Bizarre
Dark Horse: any of the other 3 (including the boring ass Tommy Reeve piano r&b nonsense "Just One Woman")

Germany is sending No Angels! Hopefully they find the key they were missing tonight by Belgrade! Maybe the wind machine blew it away?

France announced their song today - and it's not Alizee like everyone thought. Instead it's Sébastien Tellier. Possibly featuring Cirque du Soile. Hm....

Anyways, review for him up later with Hind's. Also, Armenia did leak their songs so I can call that race tonight as well.

Selection Weekend

Spain

After showing that, yes indeed, using MySpace for anything can be hazardous for your sanity, Spain will finish the Big 4's selections. Sure, it's a two horse race between the legit act of La Casa Azul's "La Revolucion Sexual" and Rodolfo Chikilicuatre's "Baila a Chiki Chiki." Personally, I'd go with Bizarre's "Si Pudiera" but I can't vote.... Regardless, Spain will probably have the strangest of the 4 songs from the money players after Saturday.

Should Win: Bizarre, "Si Pudiera"
Will Win: La Casa Azul, "La Revolucion Sexual"
Dark Horse: Arkaitz, "Un Ole"

Armenia

Sirusho's four songs were released last night, so I played all four. And quickly skipped 2 of them - "Strong" is droll and "I Still Breathe" is boring. Which should mean that there are two contenders to win. The popular choice is "Qele Qele" which has some Armenian dialogue as well as sounds just like Greece's entry this year. And they are in the same semi. So I say send the more interesting, better sounding "I Can't Control It."

Should Win: I Can't Control It
Will Win: Qele Qele
Dark Horse: Strong

Sweden's Second chance

In Bracket Un, we have Ola's "Love in Stereo" against Caracola's "Smiling in Love" AND
E-Type & The Poodles, "Line of Fire" taking on Sibel's "That's Where I'll Go." I hate all 4 of them. Yeah, Sweden did well by sending the remotely interesting songs to Ireland and Romania and Spain and Malta and Belgium rather than staying home. Anyways, I could care less who wins from this round for I don't see any doing well next week.

Should Win: Sibel, "That's Where I'll Go"
Will Win: Ola, "Love In Stereo"

In bracket Dieux, Andreas Johnson and Carola's "One Love" gets against the witchburners from Nordman and "I lågornas sken." I'll laugh if the witch wears a longass blue bedsheet a la Invincible. Other part is ****** ballads - Thérèse Andersson's "When You Need Me" and Suzzie Tapper's "Visst finns mirakel." Hypothetically Nordman or Carola/Andreas might have a better shot challenging that damn Hero song but I still can't see the winner from this doing well either.

Should Win: Nordman, "I lågornas sken."
Will Win: Johnson & Häggkvist, "One Love"

Belgium (Sunday)

If I have to listen to gibberish win I will scream.

Should Win: Sandrine, "I Feel The Same Way"
Will Win: Ishtar, "O Julissi Na Jalini"
Dark Horse: Nelson, "When I Can't Find Love"

Russia (Sunday)

There are 27 songs to sort through and only half have been released. And they are all various levels of ****. Dima Bilan did work with Timba on his song, but that doesn't save it. The fave's song is either one minute long looped or has not been released. The OTHER fave's song is horrid as hell in English or Russian. The bands are shitte, the ladies suck AND Russia think Belarus' 2006 rep Polina Smolova can sing. which is a sad sad lie. *note this can change if I hear another 12 songs between now and Sunday morning.*

Should Win: Natalie Terehova, "So Can You Tell Me"
Will Win: Sergey Lazarev, "Flyer (Under Fire)"
Dark horse: Prime Ministers, "My Parallelnie Miry"

If Portugal leaks I shall add predictions. I will guess on Serbia once the Final 10 are picked Sunday.

The Final Stretch!
8th - Armenia - National Selection
8th - Spain - Salvemos Eurovisión Final
8th - Montenegro - Presentation of Song
8th - Sweden - Last Chance Knockoff
9th - Russia - Евровидение Final
9th - Belgium - Eurosong Final
9th - Portugal - Festival da Canção Final
9th - Serbia - Semifinal
10th - Serbia - Beovijizia Final
11th - San Marino - Announcement of Song, Presentation?
15th - Sweden - Melodifestivalen Final

March 17th - Official Draw for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest

Ranking The Songs!

01 Israel - Boaz Mauda, "Ke'ilo Kan"
02 Bulgaria - Deep Zone f. Balthazar, "DJ Take Me Away"
03 Albania - Olta Boka, "Zemrën e lamë peng"
04 Turkey - Mor ve Ötesi, "Deli"
05 Ukraine - Ani Lorak, "Shady Lady"
06 France - Sebastien Tellier, "Divine" If Air would only agree to go. It's rather relaxing take, mixing Air's harmonies with the Beach Boys melodies and making a cohesive blend. I am concerned about how it will be taken if Cirque du Soile is involved and if it's too relaxing and falls on itself with little voting. But I really like this song. And congrats to France for daring to try an all English song.
07 Ireland - Dustin The Turkey, "Irlande Douze Points"
08 Greece - Kalomoira, "Secret Combination"
09 Slovenia - Rebeka Dremelj, "Vrag naj vzame"
10 Finland - Teräsbetoni, "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa"
11 Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka, "Pokusaj"
12 Belarus - Ruslan Alekhno - "Hasta la Vista"
13 Switzerland - Paolo Meneguzzi, "Era Stupendo"
14 Malta - Morena, "Vodka"
15 Azerbaijan - Elnur Huseynov f. Samir Javadzadeh, "Day After Day"
16 Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea, "Wolves Of The Sea"
17 Iceland - Eurobandið, "This Is My Life"
18 Germany - No Angels, "Disappear"
19 Cyprus - Evdokia Kadi, "Femme fatale"
20 United Kingdom - Andy Abraham, "Even If"
21 Netherlands - Hind, "Your Heart Belongs To Me Shakira takes a dip in Athens and comes up with this hodgepodge. Technically, it's supposed to be Arabic melodies but it sounds very Greek. The chorus is horrid and the song overall is rather "eh" but, in it's ballad-esque semifinal it might just sneak into the Finals. Doubtful but ya never know.
22 Czech Republic - Tereza Kerndlová, "Have Some Fun"
23 Andorra - Gisela, "Casanova"
24 Estonia - Kreisiraadio, "Leto svet"
25 Moldova - Geta Burlacu, "A Century of Love"
26 Romania - Nico & Vlad Miriţă, "Pe-o margine de lume"
27 Georgia - Diana Gurtskaya, "Peace Will Come"
28 Poland - Isis Gee, "For Life"
29 Croatia - Kraljevi Ulice en 75 Cents, "Romanca"
30 Hungary - Csézy, "Candelight"
31 Denmark - Simon Matthew, "All Night Long"
32 Macedonia FYR - Tamara feat. Vrcak & Adrian Gaxha, "Vo ime na ljubovta"
33 Norway - Maria Haukaas Storeng, "Hold On Be Strong"
34 Lithuania - Jeronimas Milius, "Nomads in the night"

Semi 1: (1) Israel (2) Ireland (3) Slovenia (4) Greece (5) Finland (6) Bosnia & Herzegovina (7) Azerbaijan (8) Netherlands (9) Andorra (Jury) Moldova
Semi 2: (1) Bulgaria (2) Albania (3) Turkey (4) Ukraine (5) Belarus (6) Switzerland (7) Malta (8) Latvia (9) Iceland (Jury) Georgia

TOP 5 TO WIN Ukraine, Ireland, Israel, Estonia, Greece
TOP 5 TO NIL POINTS Ireland, Norway, France, Croatia, Estonia
TOP 5 ALREADY INTO THE FINALS Ukraine, Israel, Greece, Romania, Belarus
TOP 5 STARING AT A LAST PLACE IN SEMI Lithuania, Norway, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland

i still cant get over the fact that PLASTIC didnt win in Poland

So, I forgot what Plastics sang so went back to YouTube.

...

Did they get lost gong from 1987? And while the girl sorta sucks singing, it was more interesting (in making me awake due to the coloring) than Isis Gee's wedding dirge.

[QUOTE=Mikal]Selection Weekend

Spain

I was hoping for the trip but even with the 20/80 split Rodolfo got in with his Chiki Chiki. Yay? It won the vote before Saturday and the "Lets Start The Show Around 11pm Spain time" vote so either it's a hit or those from TV Sexa or whatever it is called won or both.

Armenia

Qele Qele won. We have no idea how it sounds live, as she was locked on a stage and lipped along. She's rather pretty, though.

Sweden's Second chance

Hee! Sibel and Nordman advanced! The ones that should have defeated the schlager ^_^ AND Carola can go sit her ass down and take that damn annoying Andreas with her.

Now, can we please ignore Amy "Carola Jr" Diamond and Charlotte "Take Me To Your Schlager" Perrelli next week? If we must schlager, let's go with Ronegal!

Oh, Montenegro unveiled their song. Um...it's somehow more hokey and ****** than Norway and Lithuania combined. Yeah, no finals this year.

Ya'll should have seen Russia and Belgium already's predictions. If not, scroll up. Portugal did not leak yet, however, reviews from okiotimes.com give little faith to Portugal pulling out a charmer like "Danca Comigo."

The Final Stretch!
9th - Russia - Евровидение Final
9th - Belgium - Eurosong Final
9th - Portugal - Festival da Canção Final
9th - Serbia - Semifinal
10th - Serbia - Beovijizia Final
11th - San Marino - Announcement of Song, Presentation?
15th - Sweden - Melodifestivalen Final

March 17th - Official Draw for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest

Ranking The Songs!

01 Israel - Boaz Mauda, "Ke'ilo Kan"
02 Bulgaria - Deep Zone f. Balthazar, "DJ Take Me Away"
03 Albania - Olta Boka, "Zemrën e lamë peng"
04 Turkey - Mor ve Ötesi, "Deli"
05 Ukraine - Ani Lorak, "Shady Lady"
06 France - Sebastien Tellier, "Divine" If Air would only agree to go. It's rather relaxing take, mixing Air's harmonies with the Beach Boys melodies and making a cohesive blend. I am concerned about how it will be taken if Cirque du Soile is involved and if it's too relaxing and falls on itself with little voting. But I really like this song. And congrats to France for daring to try an all English song.
07 Ireland - Dustin The Turkey, "Irlande Douze Points"
08 Greece - Kalomoira, "Secret Combination"
09 Slovenia - Rebeka Dremelj, "Vrag naj vzame"
10 Finland - Teräsbetoni, "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa"
11 Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka, "Pokusaj"
12 Belarus - Ruslan Alekhno - "Hasta la Vista"
13 Azerbaijan - Elnur Huseynov f. Samir Javadzadeh, "Day After Day"
14 Armenia - Sirusho, "Qele Qele" As a song, it's rather nifty. It does add some Armenian words and vibes, making it more different than previous entries and the lipped vocal is solid. The lyrics need some help and it really needs Greece as far away from it in the Semis as possible. Solid effort, bound for the Finals and could be a sleeper but I'm thinking it needs some help.
15 Iceland - Eurobandið, "This Is My Life"
16 Switzerland - Paolo Meneguzzi, "Era Stupendo"
17 Malta - Morena, "Vodka"
18 Germany - No Angels, "Disappear"
19 Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea, "Wolves Of The Sea"
20 United Kingdom - Andy Abraham, "Even If"
21 Netherlands - Hind, "Your Heart Belongs To Me" Shakira takes a dip in Athens and comes up with this hodgepodge. Technically, it's supposed to be Arabic melodies but it sounds very Greek. The chorus is horrid and the song overall is rather "eh" but, in it's ballad-esque semifinal it might just sneak into the Finals. Doubtful but ya never know.
21 Cyprus - Evdokia Kadi, "Femme fatale"
23 Czech Republic - Tereza Kerndlová, "Have Some Fun"
24 Andorra - Gisela, "Casanova"
25 Georgia - Diana Gurtskaya, "Peace Will Come"
26 Spain - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, "Baila el Chiki-Chiki" While under normal circumstances I would wholeheartily embrace anything that wants us to do the "Robocop" the hijacking of the Spanish National Selection by others as well as Rodolfo's song being ass in the first place make it reak of desperation. Watch it win in Belgrade.
27 Estonia - Kreisiraadio, "Leto svet"
28 Moldova - Geta Burlacu, "A Century of Love"
29 Romania - Nico & Vlad Miriţă, "Pe-o margine de lume"
30 Poland - Isis Gee, "For Life"
31 Croatia - Kraljevi Ulice en 75 Cents, "Romanca"
32 Hungary - Csézy, "Candelight"
33 Denmark - Simon Matthew, "All Night Long"
34 Macedonia FYR - Tamara feat. Vrcak & Adrian Gaxha, "Vo ime na ljubovta"
35 Norway - Maria Haukaas Storeng, "Hold On Be Strong"
36 Lithuania - Jeronimas Milius, "Nomads in the night"
37 Montenegro - Stefan Filipovic, "Zauvijek volim te" I'm sorry, but i cannot in good or bad consience put this above anything. The song - as it is - is horribly dated, he sounds ancient vocally but looks 12 (and like a Power Ranger) and has zero stage presence, the backing gals add nil to the lipped song. Come back Stevan Faddy, all is forgiven!

Semi 1: (1) Israel (2) Ireland (3) Slovenia (4) Greece (5) Finland (6) Bosnia & Herzegovina (7) Azerbaijan (8) Armenia (9) Netherlands (Jury) Moldova
Semi 2: (1) Bulgaria (2) Albania (3) Turkey (4) Ukraine (5) Belarus (6) Iceland (7) Switzerland (8) Malta (9) Latvia (Jury) Georgia

TOP 5 TO WIN Ukraine, Ireland, Israel, Estonia, Greece
TOP 5 TO NIL POINTS Ireland, Norway, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro
TOP 5 ALREADY INTO THE FINALS Ukraine, Israel, Greece, Romania, Belarus
TOP 5 STARING AT A LAST PLACE IN SEMI Lithuania, Norway, Estonia, Montenegro, Ireland

For the first time in forever, I like the Dutch entry

Doubt we'll get into the final, though

Selection Weekend

Russia

Really, all you could think to do was resend Dima Bilan again with a song, although produced by Timbaland, is worse than his first try in Athens? Blah.

Portugal

Apparently you're taking Balkan lessons, as the entry, even in Portuguese, looks and sounds vaguely Serbia 2007. Will this FINALLY get Portugal into the top 10?

Belgium

Yes, let's send a song sung in an imaginary language. Making puppets look like a tasteful addition.

Serbia Semifinal

I have 6 of the ten finalists in my iPod already, so I'm sorta stoked. Serbia would already enter as a fave to repeat but could send a rather strong song. Of course, if they send Jelena Tomasevic the host for Eurovision will present the song prize to himself, while sending Beauty Queens means we see them twice - once with Marija to open the show, the other to present their song while looking like lost sea-witches looking for Circe.

Serbia Finals (Monday)

A song with a slight dig at Kosovo in the lyrics done by a woman who can't find a key AND with Mary J Blige's big ass Mary Todd Lincoln extension. Yay?

San Marino (Tuesday)

A San Marino/Italian rock ballad!

Sweden Finals (Saturday)

And it ends with the most boring final of the year. Sure, everyone says Sanna Nilsen's "Empty Room" has no chance now that Sibel is in, but there are six damn schlager songs in the finals as well. Charlotte Perelli's "Hero" and Amy Diamond's "Thank You" are the faves with BWO and that damn "I Love Europe" song as presumed threats. But I'm sorta hoping that witchburning wins the day. Although I will be pulling for the not as evil and annoying Ronegal for the win.

Should Win: Ronegal, "Just A Minute"
Will Win: Charlotte Perelli, "Hero"
Dark Horse: Sanna Nielsen, "Empty Room

The Final Stretch!
15th - Sweden - Melodifestivalen Final
March 17th - Official Draw for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest
March 18th - Start of Eurovision 2008 Review by Mikal ^.^

Ranking The Songs!

01 Israel - Boaz Mauda, "Ke'ilo Kan"
02 Bulgaria - Deep Zone f. Balthazar, "DJ Take Me Away"
03 Ukraine - Ani Lorak, "Shady Lady"
04 France - Sebastien Tellier, "Divine"
05 Portugal - Vânia Fernandes, "Senhora Do Mar" Probably the strongest of all the ballads, Vania's song is rather stunning to see and to listen to. Rich sound, good lyrics, extremely strong vocal. Very Balkan looking in presentation with all the white and the touching but it might just work in Belgrade. Portugal is damn well past due for a good result (especially after this year) and this might just do it. Not gonna win, but a top ten on a Saturday night is well within reach.
06 Albania - Olta Boka, "Zemrën e lamë peng"
07 Ireland - Dustin The Turkey, "Irlande Douze Points"
08 San Marino - Miodio, "Complice" Based on two different segments of the song, piano rock ballad. Considering this is an electronica/rock band I am rather interested to see if it's a true piano ballad or a trap. Even with Turkey in their group, this may come off much stronger and be a sleeper to do rather well. Or pull a Czech and fall on its face.
09 Turkey - Mor ve Ötesi, "Deli"
10 Greece - Kalomoira, "Secret Combination"
11 Finland - Teräsbetoni, "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa"
12 Bosnia & Herzegovina - Laka, "Pokusaj"
13 Slovenia - Rebeka Dremelj, "Vrag naj vzame"
14 Belarus - Ruslan Alekhno - "Hasta la Vista"
15 Azerbaijan - Elnur Huseynov f. Samir Javadzadeh, "Day After Day"
16 Armenia - Sirusho, "Qele Qele"
17 Iceland - Eurobandið, "This Is My Life"
18 Switzerland - Paolo Meneguzzi, "Era Stupendo"
19 Malta - Morena, "Vodka"
20 Serbia - Jelena Tomasevic, "Oro" Anne Boleyn came back to life with her head and sang a song about being headless, if Beovizija is any indicator. The song is fine, if a rather dull compared to their last entry or the amazingly stupid wonderfulness of "Beli Jablan." Yes yes it'll get all the 12s of the Yugoslav Districts but I'm not sure if anyone outside of it's gonna like it, especially since Jelena's voice was either shot or the wind machine in Germany sucked it away. She was waaaaaaay out of key.
21 Germany - No Angels, "Disappear"
22 Latvia - Pirates Of The Sea, "Wolves Of The Sea"
23 United Kingdom - Andy Abraham, "Even If"
24 Netherlands - Hind, "Your Heart Belongs To Me"
25 Czech Republic - Tereza Kerndlová, "Have Some Fun"
26 Andorra - Gisela, "Casanova"
27 Georgia - Diana Gurtskaya, "Peace Will Come"
28 Cyprus - Evdokia Kadi, "Femme fatale"
29 Spain - Rodolfo Chikilicuatre, "Baila el Chiki-Chiki"
30 Estonia - Kreisiraadio, "Leto svet"
31 Romania - Nico & Vlad Miriţă, "Pe-o margine de lume"
32 Belgium - Ishtar, "O Julissi Na Jalini" None of them can sing in Macedonian so they made up an oompa song that "sounds" Croat-Bosniac-Serbo-Montenegrin to appease the Balkans. It's cute. But that's really it. If Europe rejected Austria in 2005 with their similar oopa song in English, what makes Belgium think in gibberish (yes, the Netherlands (or was it Belgium?) did finish 2nd with gibberish in 2003) it's gonna work. Won't be shocked when it makes the Final but i will roll my eyes.
33 Russia - Dima Bilan, "Believing" Grr. Plonky sounding ballad that is boring and very MOR. Russia is already in the final but I don't think it's gonna win the contest that Moscow desperately wants to host.
34 Moldova - Geta Burlacu, "A Century of Love"
35 Poland - Isis Gee, "For Life"
36 Croatia - Kraljevi Ulice en 75 Cents, "Romanca"
37 Hungary - Csézy, "Candelight"
38 Denmark - Simon Matthew, "All Night Long"
39 Macedonia FYR - Tamara feat. Vrcak & Adrian Gaxha, "Vo ime na ljubovta"
40 Norway - Maria Haukaas Storeng, "Hold On Be Strong"
41 Lithuania - Jeronimas Milius, "Nomads in the night"
42 Montenegro - Stefan Filipovic, "Zauvijek volim te"

Semi 1: (1) Israel (2) Ireland (3) San Marino (4) Greece (5) Finland (6) Bosnia & Herzegovina (7) Slovenia (8) Azerbaijan (9) Armenia (Jury) Netherlands
Semi 2: (1) Bulgaria (2) Ukraine (3) Portugal (4) Albania (5) Turkey (6) Belarus (7) Iceland (8) Switzerland (9) Malta (Jury) Georgia

TOP 5 TO WIN Ukraine, Ireland, Israel, Russia, Greece
TOP 5 TO NIL POINTS Ireland, Norway, Spain, Croatia, Montenegro
TOP 5 ALREADY INTO THE FINALS Ukraine, Israel, Greece, Romania, Russia
TOP 5 STARING AT A LAST PLACE IN SEMI Lithuania, Norway, Estonia, Montenegro, San Marino

Belgium ended 2nd in 2003 with Urban Trad's 'Sanomi'. Belgium's preselection was organized by Flemish TV and usually when Flemish TV chooses the entry (or organize the show) the entry finnish in the Top 10.

But...but Ishtar's song is sooooooooo stupid!

*pouts*