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Read full biographyIceland has secured a place in the final
Posted 16/Feb 2009 at 04:45 by Rodrigo Romero. Topics: First semifinal, Iceland, Is It True, Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir
In the first super Saturday, when no less than five songs were chosen to fly to Moscow, it was no surprise to see Iceland pick Is it true to represent them in May. Everything works perfectly with this entry, the lyrics are simple, but really beautiful, Johanna is simply lovely, the tune is quite catchy, and one that is easy to keep humming after listening to it once, the voice is sweet but at the same time powerful, the live performance was flawless... it all ads up to the conclusion that there was no better choice to have made, and that Iceland is, I think, beginning to stand out as a real contender to win the whole thing.
One thing is sure: they have secured a spot in the final. There is no way they can be left out; on the one hand, they have televote to rely on; on the other hand, if Johanna doesn't pull it off with televote (and then European public can seriously be locked in a mental health home), she has the jury vote to back her up. Having had the luck to be drawn to a semifinal which still has to produce an impressive song (and a marvelous ballad, which is better than this), it's difficult to see this one blown away; the only real excellent songs so far there are Andorra's and Montenegro's; Finland's, Malta's and Turkey's are ok; Romania's is nothing special, and Armenia's and Belarus' are terrible.
And then, let's not forget that the final will see a 50-50 split between televote and jury vote, and this song is the exact kind that the latter wouldn't doubt to support. So, still expecting for 20 songs to be either presented or chosen, I'd be brave enough to say that it's not too crazy to think about a Reykjavik 2010.
One thing is sure: they have secured a spot in the final. There is no way they can be left out; on the one hand, they have televote to rely on; on the other hand, if Johanna doesn't pull it off with televote (and then European public can seriously be locked in a mental health home), she has the jury vote to back her up. Having had the luck to be drawn to a semifinal which still has to produce an impressive song (and a marvelous ballad, which is better than this), it's difficult to see this one blown away; the only real excellent songs so far there are Andorra's and Montenegro's; Finland's, Malta's and Turkey's are ok; Romania's is nothing special, and Armenia's and Belarus' are terrible.
And then, let's not forget that the final will see a 50-50 split between televote and jury vote, and this song is the exact kind that the latter wouldn't doubt to support. So, still expecting for 20 songs to be either presented or chosen, I'd be brave enough to say that it's not too crazy to think about a Reykjavik 2010.
More blogs by Rodrigo
- May 2012
- April 2011
- March 2011
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- Belarus: I liked the first one better
- BiH: not their best effort
- Israel: Definitely, more than just words!
- Sweden: trying with a ballad for a change
- Serbia: better shape than last year
- UK: that sounds good to... anyone?
- Greece: catchy, fun and ready to dance... OPA!!!
- Estonia: oh, after last year... this????
- Germany: hot hot hot favourites!
- Belgium: simply perfect
- Russia: title an omen?
- Portugal: seems they'll have to wait another year
- Croatia: beware Oslo, the girls are back!
- Romania: playing with more than fire
- Moldova: probably the fun won't be enough
- Ireland: a black horse?
- Lithuania: it's all about the fun!
- Turkey: don't rule them out... simply fantastic!!
- Bulgaria: after last year, hard not to be better
- Latvia: really, what for?
- Slovakia: I too want to sing in Horehronie
- Georgia: hoping for a big shine
- Spain: very hard to tell
- Slovenia: er... yeah bye
- Malta: not a dream year, I fear
- Macedonia: back in the final 3 years later?
- Armenia: a lot will depend on the live performance
- Poland: Is the legend possible?
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- September 2009
- August 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- The Jury Effect
- Stop arguing; Norway is the uncontested winner
- A day of spring with a broken corner
- The Aftermath
- FINAL: some thoughts (part 2)
- FINAL: some thoughts (part 1)
- SF2: few surprises
- SF2: UPDATED PREDICTIONS
- Eurovision Special Show in Spain
- SF1: Did they all deserve it?
- SF1: UPDATED PREDICTIONS
- SF2: Preliminary Predictions
- Spain: back after forty years?
- UK: the return of a giant
- Germany: one of their best entries in years
- Russia: the king has lost its crown
- France: et si on gagnait?
- Netherlands: able to shine again?
- Estonia: superb mixture of sounds
- Ukraine: turning the heat on
- SF1: Preliminary Predictions
- Albania: after the initial excitement passed...
- April 2009
- Moldova: is that a powerful voice, or what?
- Lithuania: good, but that's it
- Greece: will this be Sakis' night?
- Azerbaijan: always on my mind
- Hungary: won't we all dance?
- PORTUGAL DOESN'T WIN BECAUSE...
- Slovenia: it's no Nocturne but...
- Denmark: it makes me believe again!!!
- Slovakia: a good comeback
- Cyprus: if only she could sing
- Norway: will it live up to the expectations?
- Poland: I don't want (them) to leave
- Serbia: oh my God!!!
- Latvia: for real?
- Ireland: a wise choice?
- Criticism welcome
- Croatia: nothing new under the sun
- BiH: Another Balkan ballad
- Malta: what if?
- Portugal: todas as ruas to the final?
- Finland: better not to lose control
- Romania: well... ehm... right?
- Macedonia: real good stuff
- Iceland: It is true!!!
- Bulgaria: a difficult one
- March 2009
- Israel: crown or drown
- Turkey: good, but not its best
- Switzerland: a new strong effort
- Andorra: a wise 'decisió'
- Armenia: One of the weirdest entries ever
- Spanish entry in your language
- Sweden: time to rise la voix again?
- Belarus: one of the biggest disappointments
- Belgium: Copy...what???
- Czech Republic: not this year
- Montenegro: a strong entry for a change
- Some thoughts on the draw
- EBU gave in; Georgia will have to put in
- Portuguese song is a real love poem
- 4th SF in Sweden: it's a whole new game!
- Another enthusiastic Azeri effort... good choice
- Spain: the night was for... Soraya
- February 2009
- Faith in the Israeli light
- Huge improvements in Spanish second semifinal
- Sweden back to form in third semifinal
- Countdown starts for Greek Final
- Marathonic first semifinal in Spain
- A little disappointed with MF second semifinal
- Iceland has secured a place in the final
- Fresh air from Germany
- Now, that's what I call quality
- Andorra's decision was La Teva Decisió
- No surprises in the UK
- January 2009



