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…
- Croatia (4th semi final) 8.10pm, 12th February.
https://hrt.hr/index.php?id=hrt-uzivo - Estonia (1st semi final) 9.35pm, 12th February.
https://com.online-television.ru/tv/estonia/1785-etv.html - Latvia (2nd semi final) 8.20pm, 12th February.
https://www.eradio.lv/tv/ltv1.php - Lithuania (2nd semi final) 8.00pm, 12 February.
https://193.219.139.118/flash/player.aspx?channel=1&quality=high - Sweden (2nd semi final) 8.00pm, 12th February.
https://svtplay.se/
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.