This semi final was much better than the first, and although the sea of ballads bored me, the show flowed much better tonight and the qualification result was actually nerve racking, unlike during the first semi final. I ranked the countries out of 30 on the song, performance and staging. Now reaction to the individual countries...
1. LITHUANIA
I loved their performance tonight! It was a great way to start off the semi final with a fun and enthusiastic song. Monika and Vaidas were great tonight as well, and I'm really happy Lithuania qualified this year!
My score - 30/30
2. IRELAND
Molly was good today, but the performance felt flat for me. The song didn't feel like it went anywhere, when it usually does. I'm not shocked that this missed out on the final, but I want Ireland back in the final soon!
My score - 22/30
3. SAN MARINO
This song felt a little like a clutter today. I felt Anita and Michele weren't together all the time, and were hardly showing any emotions whatsoever. I'm not surprised they missed out, and hopefully San Marino will send a better song next year!
My score - 16/30
4. MONTENEGRO
This one surprised me tonight. Although the song still isn't very strong, I loved the performance tonight and I can see totally why Montenegro qualified for the second year in a row!
My score - 14/30
5. MALTA
I knew that this wasn't going to qualify... even though Amber's vocals were great, the overall performance just bored me and I struggled to pay attention throughout the song. This could be because Malta was after 3 ballads, or their performance was weak overall as well.
My score - 18/30
6. NORWAY
This was fantastic tonight! Morland and Debrah balanced each other out perfectly, and the minimalistic staging worked very well for them! Their vocals were also very good today and I'm happy that they qualified!
My score - 28/30
7. PORTUGAL
This one surprised me as well! I initially dismissed this song, but Leonor was great tonight, and her voice was great and I loved her enthusiasm. Although I'm not shocked this didn't qualify, it was still a great song sent by Portugal!
My score - 19/30
8. CZECH REPUBLIC
Robbed! Marta and Vaclav were fantastic tonight, and the staging worked out perfectly for them and I don't understand how songs like Montenegro and Cyprus qualified over this... I really hope Czech Republic continues competing, because with songs as good as this they'll be destined to qualify soon enough!
My score - 24/30
9. ISRAEL
This definitely woke up the arena! I didn't initially like this song, but Nadav did fantastic tonight, and I was tapping my foot and singing along with him throughout the song. I'm really happy Israel will be back in the final!
My score - 23/30
10. LATVIA
BEST OF THE NIGHT! Aminata was flawless tonight. Her vocals were great and the camera angles and stage were as well. I cannot find a single flaw within her performance, and I'm really happy Latvia finally broke their unqualification record with such a great song, and I can't wait for Latvia to be back in the final.
My score - 30/30
11. AZERBAIJAN
I still feel indifferent to the song. I feel that this is a strong song, but Elnur doesn't perform the song to its full potential, if that makes any sense. I also was more captivated on the dancers than Elnur, which isn't a good sign.
My score - 20/30
12. ICELAND
I loved this song... until her performance tonight. Maria was fantastic at the national final, but in Vienna she just went flat. I loved the visuals and staging and the song is great and extremely catchy, but her voice just wasn't up to par with all the other great aspects of her song, leading to her demise.
My score - 23/30
13. SWEDEN
I still don't see what the hype is over the song. It's a good song and the performance is enjoyable, but I just feel like it's missing something. I will be extremely disappointed if this wins, because this does not feel like a winner song to me at all.
My score - 23/30
14. SWITZERLAND
ALSO ROBBED! Melanie was great tonight, and her performance and vocals were great as well. I feel that this barely missed out on the final, because this song is fantastic and definitely deserved to qualify. (PS, this was the only song in my top 10 that didn't qualify :( )
My score - 26/30
15. CYPRUS
This song was performed great tonight, but then again that's not very hard to do with a song like this. The staging however, was what got me, and I loved how it started out in black and white and smoothly transitioned to color by showing stars. It was a captivating stage show, which I think helped it to qualify.
My score - 16/30
16. SLOVENIA
This song was performed great as well! Marjetka's voice was fantastic as usual, and I loved the shots with her and the air violinist together! I'm really happy that this qualified, and I hope they'll get top 10 on Saturday as well!
My score - 30/30
17. POLAND
This was the most beautiful performance of the night by far for me. Monika sang fantastically, and I loved the stage during the song. I may have even teared up a little when the camera zoomed out on her dancing. Definitely deserved to qualify, and I'm happy Poland have qualified two years in a row!
My score - 28/30
MY SEMI FINAL TWO RANKINGS
1. Latvia (30/30)
2. Slovenia (30/30)
3. Lithuania (30/30)
4. Poland (28/30)
5. Norway (28/30)
6. Switzerland (26/30)
7. Czech Republic (24/30)
8. Sweden (23/30)
9. Iceland (23/30)
10. Israel (23/30)
11. Ireland (22/30)
12. Azerbaijan (20/30)
13. Portugal (19/20)
14. Malta (18/20)
15. San Marino (16/30)
16. Cyprus (16/30)
17. Montenegro (14/30)
Tomorrow I will be posting my predictions for what is going to happen during the final of Eurovision!
Comments
Totally agree on Latvia. It was in my opinion the best performance of the night and it's starting to get a lot of buzz, similarly to Belgium after Semi 1.
I voted for Lithuania and Montenegro. XD
I enjoyed the Montenegro song and it was one of my faves from the album. :)
I agree with you though, Czech Republic were robbed! MyMilkshakes
I also think Georgia's Warrior song is better than Malta's.
But seriously, both had a female singer, alone on the stage with the real staging being done by the effects! Why did they both do that??
