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Saturday Super National Final Form Guide Written by on February 12, 2011

Welcome to the second part of the ESC Insight Super National Final Form Guide.  This is place which you can find out 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!

We have already given you the form guide for Ireland (congratulations to Jedward), Norway, Iceland and Finland.  Now it is time for Belgium, Malta and Poland to step up and be judged.

So, take a deep breath and brace yourself because the first Super Saturday is upon us!  Join ESC Insight in taking bets and keep score with our predictions…



BELGIUM


Show time: 8.15pm, Saturday 12th February (local time)
Online stream: https://www.rtbf.be/livecenter/live_eurovision-2011-suivez-et-commentez-en-direct-video-la-finale-belge?id=9443
Contestants: Steve Linden – C’est La Musique
Nelza – Be My Friend
Sarina – Rien En Apparence
Thayss N’ Bau – Somewhere With You
Clac et Les Portes – Claquer Les Portes
Chloé – Just One Chance
J Cool – Dans Ma Chanson
Gautier Reyz – Addiction
.fen – Yes I Know
Witloof Bay – With Love Baby
Alexandre Deschamps – Elle Merveille
Syla K. – Simple Love
Kaptain Oats – Reset
The Blazing – Our Way
Who to watch for? Belgium is proving tricky to predict.  Despite going through a semi-final, where normally one gets a feel for what the public will like or indeed who is best up for the job, we have instead been presented with so many music-styles and good live performances throughout.  But going to opposite ends of the spectrum, there are two favourites – Alexandre Deschamps and Chloé.  Just One Chance is a pop song performed well live and on stage, solo act Chloé should stand out amongst the band/combo heavy selection.  Alexandres’ old fashioned French ditty Elle Merveille, has seemingly been pointed out by fans for having a real toe-tapper quality and the lead giving a charming and professional performance on the stage.   Two very different but highly entertaining acts – one appealing to the traditionalists yet is very different to what else is on offer in 2011, the other more modern but melds into field of what Eurovision has become.  Drawing on previous year preferences, its tending towards the latter.
Predicted winner: Chloé – Just One Chance
WINNER –
Witloof Bay – With Love Baby



MALTA


Show time: 8.30pm, Saturday 12th February (local time)
Online stream: https://www.eurovision.tv/esctv/future
Contestants: Eleanor Cassar – Hypnotised
Amber – Catch 22
Jessica Muscat – Down Down Down
Ally – Numb
Kurt Calleja – Over and Over
Baklava – Moon Dance
Fabrizio Faniello – No Surrender
Glen Vella – One Life
Claudia Faniello – Movie In My Mind
Marilena ft. Michael – He’s A Demon
JAnvil – Topsy-Turvy
Richard Edwards – Finally
Wayne Micallef – Everybody Sing
Raquela – If I Could Do It All Again
Kelly Schembri – Love Me Like Your Money
Klinsmann and Ben – This Love
Who to watch for? Following the semi-final airing its appears 2011 stands as the strongest selection Malta has had for many years.  Nevertheless, certain songs that stuck out on first listen as potential winners (Klinsmann & Ben, Jessica Muscat) have underwhelmed on the stage, and three new favourites have stepped forward in their place in the live arena.  Baklava, who we had already earmarked for a possible win, despite shakyvocals at the semi final has a sense of energy and excitement with its drum and violin combination, and this captivates any viewer.   If they nail the vocals on the night, the win could be theirs.  Fabrizio Faniello, who already has considerable Eurovision experience under his belt, ticks all the boxes – great stage show, good vocals and most importantly, a song that seems perfect for Eurovision.   Finally, Raquela seemingly came from nowhere with her rather typical ballad and lifted it above average with flawless vocals and a subdued but beautiful performance.   It does appear to be a 3-horse race, but we think the Maltese public will choose what it knows best; a ballad for a third year in a row.
Predicted winner: Raquela – If I Could Do It All Again
WINNER –
Glen Vella – One Life



POLAND


Show time: 8.00pm, Monday 14th February (local time)
Online stream: https://wwitv.com/tv_channels/5953.htm
Contestants: Ada Fijal – Hot like fire
IKA – Say
The Trash – Things Go Better with Rock
Alizma – Bow to the Bow
Formula RC – Ja i Ty
ZoSia – S.O.L. (Scream Out Louder)
Magdalena Tul – Jestem
Roan – Maybe
Shemoans – Supergirl
Anna Gogola –  Ktoś taki jak ty
Who to watch for? Poland haven’t had much luck of late, but just like Malta, 2011 has a very credible and strong line-up in comparison to previous years.   The two acts that we will be keeping an eye on for the final though are Shemoans and Anna Gogola.  The girl-rock combo Shemoans, pack a punch both in audio and visual, and should standout amongst the selection.  The song Supergirl, is also the theme tune for Polands’ ‘Next Top Model’ tv show and the familiarity with audiences should count for something.  The question remains though whether they can perform well live, as all videos so far seen seemingly are playback rather than live.  The other big competitor however, Anna Gogola, will have no trouble with her live vocals.  Known mainly for belting out classic rock tunes on tv show ‘Polands Got Talent’, this time she gives us a ridiculously catchy, rather pop number.  The only thing that could stop one of these acts winning is Poland being Poland, going for something left of centre instead of surefire hit (see Anna Cyzons’ similar styled Love Me from last year) for the second year in a row.
Predicted winner: Anna Gogola –  Ktoś taki jak ty


Other shows to watch this coming week…

To read our previous Final form guide (10-17 February) including Ireland, Norway, Finland and Iceland, click here


Have we missed the dark horse for your country? Disagree with our predictions?   Let us know!
We will be continuing our form coverage week by week until mid March when all the National Finals will have concluded.  Stay tuned.

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).

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