Newsflash 1

I cannot believe how much Eurovision news is coming out and it is not even 2012 yet!!!

Bad news first - both Czech Republic and Poland have confirmed they will not be particpating in the next Eurovision. Let's hope it is only temporary and are back for the 2013 round!

Three more countries have announced artists for Baku.
Montenegro internally selected the strangely named Rambo Amadeus described as " the self-titled musician, poet, and media manipulator". He certainly seems a very interesting artist with a very colourful and artistic manner. It is more than likely that he will write/compost/produce the song himself. Wondering if this is entry is going to be more like Laka or Gypsy.cz ...?
Bosnia Herzegovina seeems to have shocked everyone by NOT announcing Hari Mata Hari! In fact their star for Baka was on the Eurovision stage just last year. Maya Sar was one of Dino Merlin's backing singers in Dusseldorf - she was plinky plonky bad piano miming woman !!! It was also suggested in acrtles that she will be singing 'her own' song.
There was shock though with the sudden and unexpected announcement from Spain. Yesterday they internally chose Pastora Soler to represent them in the final. However it looks at though there will be a national final in February to choose her song. Although Soler's style is more flamenco she has suggested that she would sing something more pop-influenced.

2 selections are still underway - Slovenia and Belarus.
Slovenia is now down to the final 3 acts in Misija Evrovizija. Nika Zorjan, Eva Boto and duo Nika & Eva Prusnik will compete in the final on January 8th where 2 acts will proceed to the EMA show in Febrary when song and act will be set in stone.
The semi-final of Belarus's EuroFest took place on Wednesday 21st.The cast of 15 was reduced to a final 5 which includes Gunesh, Litesound, Alena Lanskaya, Victoria Aleshko and Uzari. The first 2 being stalwarts of the Belarussian preselection procedures while Uzari was a backing singer last year.

The next national final on 29th December sees the Albanians choose their entry via "Festivali i Këngës" which will be celebrating its 50th edition.