We have two more confirmed songs, and lots of results from a packed Eurovision weekend.
How are the streams holding out for you all? One of the delights of the modern internet is being able to jump around all the National Finals from across the continent. There’s more to come though, as we have another six weeks of action to find our 39 songs for Malmo. Who got their ticket this weekend, and who’ll be in front of the voters this weekend? Let’s find out.
This Week’s Results
Let’s start with the two songs winning through the National Finals to claim their ticket to Malmo.
Iceland were the first to decide on a Saturday night with five different shows to take in. After a surprising ‘superfinal’ duel with Unnur Eggertsdóttir, Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson (pictured) will take ‘Ég á Líf‘ to Sweden. Here in the Insight office we’re hoping that Iceland keep the song in Icelandic, because it sounds far better than ‘It’s My Life‘.
Also selecting the final song was Malta, and while the 16 strong final was a simple winner takes all, two names pulled ahead. The bridesmaid, as alway, was Kevin Borg, who watched as Gianluca Bezzina will take ‘Tomorrow‘ to Sweden’s third city.
Elsewhere Sweden’s Melodifestivalen got under way (with SVT previewing the competition with a number of Eurovision writers). Two acts went through to the Stockholm final – David Lundgren and Yohio – and two will go to the revamped Andra Chansen – Cookies N Beanz, and Eric Gadd.
Mystery Song Theatre Three Thousand saw the fifth winner in Azerbaijan, with Leyla Gafari taking the honours.
Finland held their second chance round on Thursday night, with Last Panda, Elina Orkoneva, Great White North, and Lucy was Driving will appear in Saturday’s final.
The final heat in Norway was also on Saturday, with another eclectic mix of genres going through, namely Adelen, Gaute Ormasen, and Sirkus Eliassen. The wildcard was handed to one of the acts in the third heat, Lucky Lips.
Finally Hungary started the A Dal shows, with three acts going through via the televote (Gergő Baricz, Tamás Palcsó, and Tibor Gyurcsík), and three through on the nod from the jury (Ildikó Keresztes, Gergő Rácz, and Szilvi Agárdi and Dénes Pál).
Coming Up This Week
- Two more songs will be confirmed on Saturday, with Finland and Norway holding their National Final.
- Lativa start their quest for a song on Friday, with the first of two semi-finals, the second being held the day after, also on Saturday.
- Keeping up a busy Saturday night, it’s the second round of A Dal in Hungary, and the second Melodifestivalen heat in Sweden.
in what way does that statement apply to Idol winner Kevin Borg who’s never taken part in a national final before?
8th in 2006, 4th in 2007, 2nd in 2013.