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Super National Final Form Guide (23-25th February) Written by on February 23, 2011

Welcome to the third 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!

Our previous efforts admitedly have had mixed results, but we return refreshed and full of new enthusiasm for the contest and what lies ahead this week.  And what a huge week it is! To start, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Austria – and later this week, the form guide for the big 2nd Super Saturday with no less than 6 national selections.

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


BULGARIA

Show time: 7.30pm Wednesday 23rd February (CET)
 
Online stream: https://www.eurovision.tv/esctv/future
 
Contestants:
  • 032 – On Air
  • Poli Genova – Na Inat
  • Bohan Mihajlov – Nestinari
  • Sunrize & All Access Project – Boogie Man
  • Vessy – Believe
  • D2 – Glorious Twist
  • Lazar Kisiov – Zamestitel
  • Vlado Dimov – Sjanka
  • Svetelina Chendova – Luxury Hotel
  • Rut Koleva – Fever
  • Uikeda – Blue Cotton Levi’s
  • Milena Slavova – Fire In My hair
  • Mona – Teen Life
  • Simona Sivanio & Sprint – The New Earth
  • 5-te Sezona – Take My Hand
  • Emilka Valenti – Plenjavash Me
  • Zhan Shejtanov – Like A Fairytale
  • Jerihon – Smile
  • Stanny Brown ft. Naso – I Know
  • Svetozar Hristov – Wolf’s Song
  • Elmira Kostova – Mome Hubava
  • Jakob – Wicked Way of Love
  • Plamena Petrova – Bez Teb
 
Who to watch for? This national final will be a marathon, as watching the 30 second clips provided for all acts took around 14 minutes alone to view.  This is a very difficult final to call as well as we’re yet to see the acts sing live rather than playback – which makes a huge difference to decision making.
Something to also point out is the plethora of guitars, groups and bands in the lineup – replicating the trend we’ve seen in a lot of national selections already.   None of those in Bulgaria however have captured our hearts.   If we had to pick one it would be Jerihon, and the most overused title of 2011, Smile.  In terms of solo acts, we believe there are 3 that can deliver live- Jakob, Emilka and Mona.  The latter act has already gathered some buzz on the internet amongst fans with her Avril Lavigne-styling and sounding Teen Life, and may be the one to watch on the night.
 
 
 



LITHUANIA

 

 

Show time: 8.15pm Thursday 24th February (CET)
 
Online stream: https://193.219.139.118/flash/player.aspx?channel=1&quality=high
 
Contestants:
  • Monika – Days Go By
  • The Independent – 7th Bus
  • Sasha Song – The Slogan of our nation
  • Urtė Šilagalytė – Candy Baby
  • Martynas Beinaris – Tomorrow And After
  • Evelina Sašenko – C’est ma vie
  • Liepa – Laukiu (I’m waiting)
  • Vigroses – Freedom of Mind
  • Donny Montell – Let Me
  • Linas Adomaitis – Floating To You
  • Ruta Šciogolevaite – Break Free
  • Viktorija Ivaškeviciute – Be my baby
  • Donny Montell & Sasha Song – Best Friends
 
Who to watch for? Not the greatest of line-ups for Lithuania we’ve seen, but there are a couple of stand-outs.  The two strongest performers amongst this selection are easily Evelina with her beautiful and flawlessly delivered ballad, and seasoned performer Ruta with her unusual stop-start tempo.   The other name that obviously pops out amongst the selection is that of 2009 Eurovision participant Sasha Song with not one but two songs, the better of which is a duet with Donny Montell.   The cheeky duet has a certain charm, and there is a sneaking suspicion in the ESC Insight HQ that if that very song makes it to the final 3 decided by the public, the jury could indeed choose it as the 2011 winner.  BUT as much as we try to ignore the odds elsewhere and assess on merit alone, we for once agree with the betting, and so think most likely fans will see Evelina in Germany this May.
 
 



AUSTRIA

 

 

Show time: 8.15pm Friday 25th February (CET)
 
Online stream: https://www.eurovision.tv/esctv/future
 
Contestants:
  • Band WG – 10 Sekunden Glück
  • Leo Aberer & Patricia Kaiser – There Will Never Be Another You
  • Oliver Wimmer – Let Love Kick In
  • Alkbottle – Wir san do ned zum Spaß
  • Eva K. Anderson – I Will Be Here
  • Trackshittaz/Lukas Plöchl – Oida Taunz!
  • Charlee – Good To Be Bad
  • Klimmstein feat. Joe Sumner – Paris, Paris
  • Nadine Beiler – The Secret Is Love
  • Richard Klein – Bigger, Better, Best
 
Who to watch for? The highly anticipated return of Austria promises a very strong national final, but looking at the line-up 3 acts stand out. Klimmstein feat. Joe Summer qualified 1st for the national final and features the vocals of Stings’son.  Quite the formidable name, and a song to match.  The talents of Nadine Beiler won her 2nd place with the juries to qualify for the national final, and reminds us of a young Whitney Houston or Tina Arena.  Powerhouse voice – proven live performer from Austrias’ answer to X-Factor back in 2007, and one amazing ballad.  With the lack of ballads in this years Eurovision selection so far, if selected she may go right to the top of the predictions. Lastly, the act Trackshittaz were number 1 in the Austrian charts with this very track in November and thus the public familiarity with the song could prove too much for other acts to overpower.  That is if the locals aren’t sick of the song after 4 months of chart exposure…
 

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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