Friday 11 May 2018

Final ideals

2 exciting semis down - now just the final to go...
Let it now be truly known that we really really REALLY do not have a clue as to what is going to win!

First of all, the running order has now been finalised and it is incredibly full-on, the second half in particular seems at a much higher pace than the second half, although the end of the running order as some surprisingly slow punctuations. This has dented a few hopes and dreams, most notably Spain who have been handed the dreaded number 2 spot - a from which no country has ever won. I am not going to indulge too much into the mechanics of this pseudo-science mainly because apart from the obvious favouritism spots, and the much hyped benefits of being in the second half, 4 of the last 5 ESC winners have actually been from the first half.

So, based my own personal opinions and preferences with a tiny bit of swaying from the live performances seen during the semi finals, fan participation in the hall and the general fan opinion on social media, here is my list of the 26 finalists.


Don't expect this to be the actual result - although that would be rather epic. From my list, I would say that Albania has almost no chance of winning and Denmark would be quite the shock, but after that any of the next 3 could be winners. Also, depending on demographic, the opera from Estonia or the modern metal from Hungary could be a sneaky benefactor. I get the feeling that the winner of the jury vote, which is done first, will not be the same as the televote winner. Depending on margins, this may or may not affect the placings but will make it a very close result.

One huge issue that may sway the voting is the question of where some of the 'friendly votes' will go? With the obliteration of some of the ex-Soviet countries - where will their televote go if their de facto first choice isn't there? Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine are still standing and one must remember that Alexander Rybak is genetically Belarusian so they have to be seen as possibly exceeding in the phone votes. On a similar theme, the Greek diaspora vote will go straight to Cyprus and from ex-Yugoslavia Slovenia and Serbia should see a small boost.

All I hope is that it's a slick show, the performances are good and the voting is clear but also nail biting!

Monday 7 May 2018

Ranking, wishlists and predictions

Blooming heck, this really is as clear as mud...

Now that the rehearsals are done it is fair to say that things have certainly got more complicated. Some songs that were borderline have now become sure fire contenders or fallen to the wayside. Conversely there are are couple of big hitters that have failed to hit the mark in rehearsals and don't look as sure as they once were. It's all got a wee bit muddled...

That said, I need to get this down so I have at least had my say...
So here is my 43 song ranking - I will post ANOTHER ranking list with just the 26 finalists on Friday night/Saturday morning:

This would make my personal qualifiers from each semi as follows

SF1
Albania  Czech Republic 
Estonia  Austria  Belgium
Lithuania  Cyprus
Israel  Finland  Ireland
SF2
Denmark  Ukraine  Serbia
Slovenia  Moldova
Georgia  Hungary  Norway 
San Marino  Australia 

That said, I  don't feel that either of this lists are going to be accurate when it comes to the actual votes.  The 100% records of Romania, Azerbaijan and Russia would be broken if my list were true and although I feel there is a good chance that one of the 3 will fail, I doubt at three will flunk, Other major nations like Sweden and Bulgaria, for me, miss out but I think they will both get through (as much as it pains me to say it!) In my lists I suspect that Albania, Austria and Belgium could be on the borderline in semi one whilst Slovenia, Australia and Georgia could go either way in semi two but I think my expectation of San Marino is a bridge too far! With this all said and done, if any of the performances fail to ignite during the jury final OR the live televoting final - it could be anybody's game and there *will* be some shock non-qualifiers.

Come back at the end of the week to get my ranking of the 26 finalists !


Thursday 3 May 2018

Alternative lyrics

NORWAY
Step one - do a shit, and do it all day long
Step two - just roll in it that's how you make a pong


ISRAEL
I’m not your hen (not your hen)
I’m full of zen (full of zen)
I’ll lay an egg I’ll watch you boil it
Dip some soldiers now to the mother-dunking beat


CYPRUS
Cause I’m building up and it ain’t falling down – I’m building it higher
Ah yeah ah yeah ah yeah
Yeah ah yeah ah yeah
Cause I’m making up a boat and then a car - yeah I've got 4 tyres
Ah yeah ah yeah ah yeah
Yeah ah yeah ah yeah
Lego !


BULGARIA
So I love the traffic cones
Take pictures on our phones
Fill them all up with stones
I love the traffic cones


SWEDEN
Just wanna pi-pi-piss you off
So don’t you da-da-dare mess up
I just want to kill your mood
Make you throw up all your food
I will now, I will now


UNITED KINGDOM
Months are like September, October and November
Don't you dare forget December all these months oh oh, all the months oh oh