FINAL: some thoughts (part 2)

Well, a little too late, but here I come with the second part on what I've seen so far and more or less what I think will go on tonight.

15.- Estonia: well, this song is just beautiful... and incredibly well performed. We had the chance to see in the semi a really emotional performance, which worked really well. It's exactly that kind of song that you don't need to understand, but that is pure emotion from the very beginning. It'll pick a huge amount of points among the USSR countries, and I don't see how the jury could not favor this one. Prediction: a very well deserved top 10.

16.- Denmark: the song is really good; the performance fails to impress a little. Brinck does have a good voice, but at times fails to hit all the notes, particularly the high ones, which obviously harms the song. Still, it is a strong entry which should do well on the televote, but will probably suffer with the jury. Prediction: somewhere in the middle of the scoreboard

17.- Germany: from the beginning I liked this song. The live performance, however, is starting to worry me. I saw Oscar singing live in the Spanish special and I really was disappointed. Although I do like the song, I see this one as a real candidate to fall, having a lot of problems picking up votes both from the public and the juries. Prediction: near the bottom as is becoming usual for Germans.

18.- Turkey: well, this is probably the most overrated entry of the year. The performance in the first semifinal was far from good, and whoever was in charge of directing that should really apologize to Hadise for such a terrible job. But of course, she should too apologize to herself for her singing. If she doesn't improve and I mean seriously improve all about the act, I fear that Turkey will really see its luck affected. Prediction: top 10, possible top 5, and hopefully not a winner.

19.- Albania: well, it indeed was a shock when they announced she was a qualifier. Yet, the performance was strong, her vocals were really good (which in the second semi was a lot to say) and well, the weird act seemed to work well. I still think that there were better songs in that semi which were left out, but I can't take the merit away from Kejsi. She did it well. Prediction: middle of the scoreboard, probably tending to go down.

20.- Norway: what can I say, that I haven't said before. I didn't quite like the performance in the semi, it looks artificial from the beginning until the end. And Alexander seems so plastic. Plus, the vocals are average, nothing to be excited about. Still, after seeing that the Spanish jury gave it 12 points in the semifinal, I can hardly see this one falling. The hottest favorite, but I still have secret hopes that it won't win. It doesn't deserve it (and I have nothing personal against Alexander either lol). Prediction: winner, although I hope not.

21.- Ukraine: well, they really seem to have taken the contest really seriously, and because of that they always put amazing shows together. This was really flashy, Svetlana can really sing, she is amazingly sexy... and all that compensates for a merely good, but not exceptional song, and makes Ukraine, as it has become the usual, a strong contender for the crown. Prediction: Top 10, very probable top 5 and even possible winner.

22.- Romania: well, this is another one which I think has nothing to do in the final, and even though I have come to cheer a bit for it (it's the Romanian people who have made me like the entry just because it comes from Romania), I just don't see how it's going to pull it off. The performance in the semi was nothing remarkable, Elena didn't look as beautiful as I expected, the singing was well, but that's it, the choreography is nothing to be excited about... I don't think the juries will go for this one, although they can surely count on the 12 points from the Spanish public lol. Prediction: strong contender for the last spot.

23.- UK: well, I insist on how Jade has somehow managed to win my likes. I insist too that Mark would have probably been the sensible choice to perform this song. With this said, I have to say that I've come to like this song, and Jade has become more and more confident on stage. The Spanish special last Tuesday was proof enough: two standing ovations for her. This is the strongest chance of the Brits in years, and they might just recover some of the lost glory. Prediction: top 5.

24.- Finland: singing after the UK and before Spain, I think, will hurt this one. It's among the weakest entries in the final, I think, and I can hardly see any of the juries giving points to Finland, and the public... well, some points from the Nordic countries, and one or two here and there. No more. Not Finland's year. Prediction: bottom half of the scoreboard.

25. Spain: a great act to close the show with a lot of energy. I personally love this song, and I'm sure that it'll be the best Spanish placing since... well, for a very long time. Soraya is a consistent performer who is unlikely to make mistakes on stage. Plus, if whatever the surprise that they have prepared is really as impressive as they say, performing last will certainly give the Spaniards a big advantage with the televote. The possibilities of winning will depend on their ability to impress the juries. Prediction: top 5.

Well, this is all, of course I'll insist that my predictions do not necessarily reflect what I actually want in the end. If there is any justice, 2010 should see us all in Iceland. If we go for the upbeat songs, then it should be without a doubt Madrid.

For the very first time in years we can't know before the contest how everything will go. Excitement keeps building as the time approaches. Let's hope for a great show, an amazing evening of great musical quality, and let's do what we all have in common: just plain love the contest.

HAPPY EUROVISION EVERYBODY!!!