Support ESC Insight on Patreon

Super National Final Form Guide (10-17 February 2011) Written by on February 10, 2011 | 5 Comments

Eurovision hasn’t even started but the competition is heating up.  This week gives us multiple contender announcements, hitting its peak with 5 song/artist decisions during the first ‘Super Saturday’ of 2011.

To keep all the fans up-to-date and best mark the occasion, ESC Insight brings you our Super Final Form Guide.  We will tell you where to follow the competitions live and online, who will be competing for each country, and most importantly, who we think best stands to win the coveted prize to represent their nation in Dusseldorf and why!

So,  join ESC Insight in taking bets and keep score this week with our predictions…


IRELAND




Show time: 9.35pm, Friday 11th February (local time)
Online stream: https://www.eurovision.tv/esctv/future
Contestants: Bling – Shine On
The Vard Sisters – Send Me An Angel
Jedward – Lipstick
Don Mescall – Talking with Jennifer
Nikki Kavanagh – Falling
Who to watch for? Without much to go on but 30 second snippets, we think it comes down to 2 artists – Nikki Kavanagh- a proven performer with a mid-tempo r’n’b style song,  and the bubblegum pop of  X-Factor famed Jedward.  Since the rumours began 2 months ago, it has been Jedward leading the way in terms of selection for Ireland.  Of course, there is also the added controversy of Jedwards’record company releasing the song sample online – breaking the rules – and resulted in RTE changing the voting balance to 33% public vote, 66% jury vote.  How that rule change pans out in favour of Nikki or Jedward remains to be seen. We’ve witnessed the online fan bickering, and despite whatever reservations we may hold in terms of performance quality, Jedwards song admittedly does stand out amongst the selections.
Predicted winner: Jedward – Lipstick




ICELAND




Show time: 8.10pm, Saturday 12 February (local time).
Online stream: https://dagskra.ruv.is/streaming/sjonvarpid/live/
Contestants:
Haraldur Reynisson – Ef ég hefði vængi
Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir – Ástin mín eina
Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir – Nótt
Matti Matt & Erla Björg Káradóttir – Eldgos
Jógvan Hansen – Ég lofa
Magni – Ég trúi á betra líf
Sigurjóns’ friends – Aftur heim
Who to watch for? Prior to the semi finals, it appeared that it will always be a one horse race for 2011 Iceland – in favour of Yohanna.  With certain events happening since the selection announcement and the semis however, the tide has changed and this may be one Final thats too close to call.  3 acts stand-out in the selections – Erna, Yohanna and Sigurjóns’ friends.  Erna stands out as having the best ballad of the Icelandic contest, and set against Yohannas’ lesser Nótt may have the advantage when it comes to song quality.  Both artists have Eurovision experience and credibility, but Yohanna achieved 2nd place at the 2009 Eurovision in Moscow and that will still figure in viewers minds.   The dark horse though is Aftur heim. Following the death of Sigurjón Brink, it was decided the song would still be performed but by a selection of his artist friends.  It was given a bye out of the 3rd semi final, and obviously the song has sentimentality attached to it, but whether this will translate to votes at the final to push it over the edge remains to be seen.  Its a tough one.  What rates more – sympathy, song quality or memories of an almost win in 2009?
Predicted winner: Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir – Nótt
WINNER –
Sigurjóns’ friends – Aftur heim


Other shows to watch this coming week…


About The Author: Sharleen Wright

Sharleen Wright is the co-founder of ESC Insight and a freelance journalist and researcher. She has previously worked for numerous community radio stations in Sydney Australia, and contributed to the wider world of comedy holding production and promotions roles at both the Edinburgh Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Her written words have appeared online, as well as The List magazine, and numerous fanzines on the topics of television and specifically, Eurovision . She is currently based in Australia and undertaking research on food and event tourism. You can follow Sharleen on Twitter (@sharly77) and Facebook (facebook.com/sharleenwright).

Read more from this author...

You Can Support ESC Insight on Patreon

ESC Insight's Patreon page is now live; click here to see what it's all about, and how you can get involved and directly support our coverage of your Eurovision Song Contest.

Have Your Say

5 responses to “Super National Final Form Guide (10-17 February 2011)”

  1. Jasmin B says:

    I 100% agree with your predictions, but they aren’t 100% what I WANT to happen!!! But I don’t think I’ll get my way with MGP (Aste & Rikke or Hanne Sorvaag winning would make me happy). Haba Haba reminds me a little too much of Monaco’s “coco dance” from 06…..

    As for Yohanna, I do like the song but it’s no Is It True…and should she go to Germany I wouldn’t expect it to hit the heights of her 2009 performance. The more important question is, of course, would she wear something that resembled actual clothing???

  2. Thanks Jasmin.
    Obviously this guide tries to measure all the songs based on performance, buzz, potential… we are hoping to come up trumps with our predictions by doing this. Personal preference-wise, I may have picked differently.

    Something to note about Yohanna: if she is picked, she has confirmed that her song will be performed in English. The song was originally recorded in English and apparently packs more punch on listen and lyrically is far stronger. So whilst it may not seem to have as much potential as ”Is It True?” right now, I think we could potentially have a dark horse for Eurovision 2011.

  3. Having heard the full versions of the Irish contenders, we are still sticking with our comments and prediction for Jedward to win.

  4. Mia says:

    Stala & So. and Pamela from Finland! Today we will find out… Saturday night fever!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *