SPOILER ALERT! Don’t read this if you are planning to watch the Eurovision Song Contest in full and your broadcaster hasn’t broadcast the first semi-final yet. In Australia, for example, SBS will be screening the first semi-final this coming Friday night, the second semi-final on Saturday and the final on Sunday. But if you are not worried about this then do read on ….
OK, so the first semi-final was staged in Copenhagen overnight and only 10 out of the 16 participants could progress to the final, where they will be joined by the other 10 winners from the second semi-final, plus the “big five” European Broadcasting Union members who automatically qualify (France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK) and the hosts and defending champions, Denmark.
So, what was the outcome of the first semi-final?
Rejoicing
- Montenegro, Hungary, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, San Marino, Ukraine, Sweden, the Netherlands, Iceland.
Eliminated
- Latvia, Estonia, Albania, Belgium, Moldova, Portugal.
Sadly, this means we won’t be hearing any Portuguese in the final this Sunday, although I am not greatly surprised as I did not think Portugal’s entry (previewed here) was strong. And I was fully expecting Moldava’s entry (previewed here) not to make it through because it was too sombre. Lighten up, Moldova!
Well, I am shocked at the voters. This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day in about 80 countries around the world, including Australia, and the voters had the gall to boot out Belgian Axel Hirsoux’s sweet homage to mothers. How could they!
The maternal theme was also evident in Latvia’s entry, a bizarre country music-style ditty from a guy who knows everything except how to bake a cake. He has to run to mummy for help. Really, he should sign up to follow the blogger Lady of the Cakes!
Estonia’s entry wasn’t too bad, in my opinion. It was the sort of pop-dance song that could chart anywhere nowadays … I could twerk to this, I think.
The Albanian effort was a bit too screechy for me but the video has some interesting scenery of what I presume is Albania, including sand dunes and what looks like a river delta. Oh and fans of the guitar solo should tune into this too.
To those six countries, better luck next time… and now we wait to see who will be eliminated on May 8 in the second semi, which has a field of 15.
My Five Romances 
I’m not good at baking either, I just like eating the stuff, lol, so I think the Latvian and I are in the same league. … = ELIMINATED! 😉
I did notice you seem to be more into consumption than production haha
Well observed 😉
I’ve not put up a cake post in a while… must remedy that!