Semi Final 1 Review - How'd My Favourites Go?

In Australia, we are tied by the stupid local broadcaster's decision of never to show ESC live, or at least same day. The shows are stacked on Fri, Sat & Sun. So we wait 3 days to see SF1 absurd.

These were my SF1 top 10 before the show - as they appeared:
Iceland, Greece, Latvia, Switzerland, Belgium, Israel, San Marino, Cyprus, Denmark, Romania

Favourites on the night with score out of 10:
Ice 6, Lat 7, Alb 7, Sui 6, Bel 6, Isr 6, San 6, Cyp 6, Den 7, Rus 6

As can be seen, nothing really stood out - with one exception. I never liked Albania, and suddenly one of the best. Performance and presentation phenomenal. Albania and Russia entered my top 10 at the expense of Greece and Romania. Greece was just too dull, and Romania never really had a super-strong song. It was only just in my top 10.

Those that missed the final from pre-ESC favourites:
Lat, Swi, Bel, Isr & San

Israel just looked disinterested. I can't believe such a great song was rendered as so drab. The husband and wife kissing at the start, why? A total mess. It only hung in my top 10 because I like the song so much. Latvia was too silly. This song had great potential. While it was cheesy, they made it more cheesy, instead of adding maturity. Listening to it, it sounded potential to be great folk-style song. A total waste. Belgium a bit dull and cliche. Switzerland was flat. They needed to close up the stage to provide an "energy ball" situation, not be spread out with the singer trotting all over the place. Remember Turkey's Manga from 2010? Swiss should be like this. San Marino would always struggle with a perceived silly song. Presentation was a bit naff.

Of the actual qualifiers, I was so furious Ireland made it. I just hate them. The song is so cheap and all the Planet Jedward crap, it makes me sick. Where's a Death Star around when you need one? While I always hated Russia's cheap song, got to give credit to the presentation. It's difficult not to like them. I see them easily as top 5 now. Hoping they don't win, because that would send a bad signal out to other countries for the songs they should send. Really, around 15th the final would be ideal. It will be interesting to see official results, because I can sense Moldova and Greece only qualified thanks to close friends Romania and Cyprus.

Before the voting, I marked Iceland, Albania, Romania, Denmark and Russia as certainties. I also had Switzerland - tentatively. I figured juries might help them out, and were second or third best rating on SBS poll interactive poll.

Songs like Montenegro, Finland and Austria were just never going to make it. Finland needed to be in English, and Austria needed a super performance to deliver such a poor song. They failed.

Overall, the official finalists were acceptable. The only change I'd make for the final is dump Ireland for Switzerland.

Just a prediction for the final, I have a sneaking feeling about Spain. It's a ballad that can separate itself from the rest. Days after my first listen, suddenly it was stuck in my head. It has that, plus Pastora is a super singer. She just needs to deliver. Other than Spain, pre-favourites like Sweden and Russia should do well. Estonia is a strong ballad.

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