ROTTERDAM CALLING MAY 17 🇳🇱 First semi-final jury rehearsal

One more live session concludes. Thank you all for been here. We will have one more live session tomorrow before the live show of the first semi-final with all the latest news. In the meantime, vote for your favourite countries (or edit your votes) in EUROPREDICTION here

TIME FOR THE MOCK RESULTS
according to the fake voting the mock results send to the final following countries: Croatia, Sweden, Ireland, Romania, Slovenia, Belgium, Australia, North Macedonia, Lithuania, Cyprus

The problem is now fixed and the Italian delegation performed on stage… Germany and The Netherlands follow giving full performance…

The show is interrupted as they have to check all connections and there is a problem with the lights as the hostess says, who is also singing a Dutch song to the audience….

Interesting: NO CHANGES in the betting odds!

The interval is done, two recaps are shown and the grand finalists: Italy, Germany and The Netherlands performed. Now it’s time for the mock results…

“Due to issues with the in-ear monitoring during the performances of Malta, Romania and Ukraine at the 2nd Dress Rehearsal for Semi-Final 1 on Monday 17 May, in accordance with the rules, all artists were given the chance to perform their songs again for the national juries voting on the show. The technical issue is being thoroughly investigated ahead of the live broadcast of Semi-Final 1 on Tuesday 18 May.”

Regarding the re-run of Romania, Ukraine and Malta: Romania did much more coordinating performance but the song still is not hyping my review to make a positive comment.

Ukraine seems unnecessary to perform again because we never got what the problem was. the second take was also smashing by the way.

We also don’t understand why Malta performed again but the performance was again the same. Perfect vocals weak stage presentation.

MALTA 🇲🇹
Fotis: I don’t understand why after the Maltese postcard we don’t have the song but the hostess talking about EUROVISION.TV. Thank GOD the wig is off! Destiny is giving it all and finally, she dances. Improved although not convincing for a trophy discussion (yet)…

Themis: No matter the outfit, no matter the hairstyle (wig or no wig), how many ways can you think of destroying one of the best songs in this year’s Eurovision. Only 18, Destiny has a flawless vocal performance probably winning the jury votes. The presentation though is disappointing and it’s definitely the fault of the choreographer who overemphasizes the body type of the artist. The outcome makes the image destroying the voice and the song, which anyway will go to the final but will not gain the trophy which deserved.

UKRAINE 🇺🇦 FIRST TAKE
Fotis: Do I get the feeling that Kataryna is not listening from her earphones well? The performance is totally amazing, perfect with this unique vocal performance and the amazing electro-folk ethnic sound. I see it definitely to the final!

Themis: An excellent example of how an ethnic tune is presented in a modern way and becomes a hit. Exceptional stage presentation (this and the Cypriot one) which makes Ukraine a definite qualifier. the most original and unique song this year, I guess.

Malta will also perform again

AZERBAIJAN 🇦🇿
Fotis: Catchy and amazing but it’s not 2010. Efendi is pushing her voice to achieve perfection but sounds a bit harsh. She tries to implement a lost song, the Cleopatra one, but this kind of ethnic is not going to work unless the Turkish diaspora cast massively their votes tomorrow. I cannot see the juries supporting this one although it’s a nice tune for the Euroclub. Huge applause and screens show TIX applauding…

Themis: Mata Hari will seduce the public but will have a hard time going through the committees. A sure hit of the summer that, however, is wronged by a choreography … of a third high dance party …
Turkish diaspora, who see Azerbaijan as a bit of their own participation, will help qualify.

UKRAINE AND ROMANIA WILL PERFORM AGAIN

ROMANIA 🇷🇴
Fotis: There is a huge mess in the vocals with the backing vocals. Roxen is probably not hearing well and loses the coordination with the backing vocals. Unless performed again, this one turns into a mess but away it wouldn’t qualify.

Themis: Now we get why this song was never performed live. A nice composition that reminds us of the evolution of EUPHORIA in the dance part with an amateur vocal performance. The worst vocal performance this year will need a miracle to go to the final.

BELGIUM 🇧🇪
Fotis: One of the most amazing and artistic performances this year. This is now about the show it’s about music and I definitely love it. I hope they will qualify, I would vote for them, for sure.

Themis: A simple song that time-travels us back to 2008, a golden year for Hooverphonic. Oldfashioned is not always a bad thing. Juries will respect it and I wanna see how the audience will receive it.

ISRAEL 🇮🇱
Fotis: Modern, funky and definitely loveable person. Eden is giving a great opening and the outfit change seems amazing. The whistle high note delivered perfectly tonight and that will boost her chances for qualification. Love the full use of the stage.

Themis: Α typical Israeli entry with flawless dance act, cheerful dancers – male ones always the recent years, excellent vocals and some small surprises on stage. Not the best thing and if the political situation doesn’t influence the voting, this one is logically in the final…

NORWAY 🇳🇴
Fotis: I think I am starting to fall in love with this song. Not the performance but TIX’s voice. I am really falling for this one. I wouldn’t be surprised if somehow this angel and demons act wins it all!

Themis: The moment TIX gets his glasses off stops being unstable and his vocals boost the emotion. Norway accused of its choice (for obviously not choosing KEiiNO but the country might be surprised in the grand final’s scoreboard.

CROATIA 🇭🇷
Fotis: Powerful pop with ’80s feeling which we all love nowadays but in the solo performance I am worrying about Albina’s vocals. I truly like this tune and wanna dance it but would never vote for it.

Themis: Tik Tok like the clock or a mention to the famous app with old fashioned dancing which will end up in the losers of this year’s contest. Albina is better than the rehearsals but worst than her national final back in Opatija.

IRELAND 🇮🇪
Fotis: Although the story and the stage presentation are perfectly explained, I am not sure this one can convince you to vote for. If it was a Grammy or MTV EMA performance it could be adored. I am not sure the props are used well although I understand the need to show that handmade work can be effective as well.

Themis: A pleasant melody with a clever stating of handmade props not using effects and they actually revealed in the end. On the end for qualification. Descent though…

CYPRUS 🇨🇾
Fotis: Elena knows this performance counts and gives 100% of herself and her vocals. Most likely this one will qualify. Maybe too much red on stage? The camera work is perfected.

Themis: Professional and example presentation which needs something to escalate, though. Elena is one of the best acts we have seen in recent years for Cyprus and sounds absolutely flawless in vocals and dance skills. A recipe for success and a definite qualifier.

LITHUANIA 🇱🇹
Fotis: Absolutely great opening and great applause for The Roop. Absolutely flawless performance.
Themis: An interesting proposal and a sure qualification. Very good vocally and a dance act targeting kids and teenagers. Though misses climax.

SLOVENIA 🇸🇮
Fotis: There seems to be a mic problem at the beginning of the song sorted off immediately. Absolutely flawless performance. I am not sure I like the shouts Ana makes tonight!

Themis: Irrelevant and indifferent (maybe one of the worst in the contest) with repeated lyrics, moves without a surprise. Too much simplicity shows a lack of inspiration.

RUSSIA 🇷🇺
Fotis: Manizha combines a funky modern pop tune with RnB elements and ethnic tunes. The show seems incredible tonight and the audience goes hysteric.

Themis: Old school Eurovision. Indifferent song which though is completely supported by the artist’s theatrical skills. Up to now, I didn’t think it would qualify, but now I am sure is a definite qualifier.

SWEDEN 🇸🇪
Fotis: When SVT is submitting a song for Eurovision everything is complete and always sound perfect. Impossible not to qualify.

Themis: Typical Nordic participation which will go high due to the juries tonight. And why not, with voting collisions among countries, it can go home with the trophy. Dynasty! But then again, the ’80s are back in fashion, aren’t they?

AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺
Fotis: We have the first live on-tape performance which for me sounds amazing and I can’t wait to see whether the juries will morally support Montaigne because it wasn’t her fault not coming to Amsterdam. One of the songs penned by the performer.

Themis: An amazingly talented artist in a bad conjecture. Away from a good song and the stage as well. The song is not memorable and sounds annoying. I cannot see it qualifying.

NORTH MACEDONIA 🇲🇰
Fotis: A remarkable vocal performance with great lighting. But somehow I am not sure he can do it to the grand final if put the cards down and do the math for all semi-final participants. But I admit flawless and perfect presentation.

Themis: It is too extravagant and risky. The extravagant on stage from the glitter turning into a laser pointing to a disco ball vest. it will be a surprise if it qualifies.

The sequence started and after the EBU intro an intro of various places in The Netherlands, we get into the venue which is full of people. Fireworks all over as the shots enter the stage. The greetings in English, French and Dutch are short and after explaining the voting procedure we are ready to kick off the performances.

A short change in the betting odds as Russia is now replacing Greece in the #10 while San Marino also arose one position at #13.