It’s been a wild night here on Eurovision Island, with more than a few jaws dropped as the proverbial envelopes were opened. News, thoughts, and updates here!
And the Winners are…
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Iceland, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Russia, San Marino, Sweden, and Ukraine.
And the Draw…
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iceland, Montenegro, Sweden, and Ukraine will join Germany in the first half of Saturday’s Final, while Hungary, the Netherlands, Russia, and San Marino will run in the second half with France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and hosts Denmark.
Here are a few of the other observations noted by the ESC Insight crew tonight during the First Semifinal:
All of the 100% qualifiers maintained their record.
Running one after the other, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Ukraine were all working on a hot streak, having never failed to qualify for a Saturday night. Lucky for them, those records will still stand as we head into 2015.
All of the 0% qualifiers made it to the Final.
The only nations performing tonight that had never qualified for a Saturday Night show, Montenegro and San Marino, have finally made it out of Semifinal Purgatory (much to the relief of Ralph Siegel, I presume).
The Running Order may have had little effect tonight.
While many Semifinals appear to have more qualifiers from the second half of the running order, tonight’s show had five qualifiers from the first half and five from the latter.
Tonight’s Winners tended to be slower, but so was the field in general.
Out of tonight’s ten victors, we have seven songs that can be considered slow-tempo or ballads (Armenia, Sweden, Russia, Azerbaijan, San Marino, the Netherlands, and Montenegro) three that are mid-to-uptempo (Iceland, Hungary, and Ukraine). The remaining songs that did not qualify, were generally split between uptempo and slow.
Surprised that Russia made it but the girls didn’t deserve the boos…
Really delighted for Montenegro (who I expected to qualify) and San Marino (who I didn’t)! Both Sergej and Valentina will get ticker tape parades when they return…
Main surprise for me was Estonia not qualifying – Iceland were superb on stage so I am not entirely shocked with them being in the Final…
After watching the press conference, the planets are aligning for Molly – Armenia, Sweden, Ukraine and Azerbaijan all in the 1st Half. If you believe that you can only win from the 2nd, its between Molly, Ruth and Andras…
Im really proud of Mariya Yaremchuk. She was the best tonight for me.
I’d say watch out for the Netherlands after looking at the iTunes positions. It was a brilliant performance. Don’t think they will win, but top 5 is definitely possible. I read so many positive reactions to the performance.
Martin, the boos were for Russia, not the twins and Russia absolutely deserve those boos. Considering what they have done and they way they treat LGBT people, they deserve them if I am being brutally honest.
That was a great show last night. The stage and lighting looked absolutely stunning, full credit to DR.
Very happy to see San Marino and Montenegro qualify, they deserve it. Also glad to see Iceland through as well, I was getting worried there for a while! I’m a little disappointed that Albania didn’t get through, but as everyone predicted it in advance I wasn’t too shocked.
Can’t wait for semi 2 now, although with 3 of my favourites opening the show, I can see myself dusting off my rant about producer fixed running orders again on Friday morning!
Mariya is going to win…because her song has win all over it, catchy, memorable, & beautifully sung. Go on, girl, “Tick-tock” it to the “Top”!
I’m gutted Ireland did not get through but Saturday should be interesting as there are quite a few good songs, but I think Sweden, Germany Armenia,,Netherlands, Switzerland could be the top ones.
I pray and hope that this is not going to b like every year where you give your votes toc your next door neighbour.
We will see!!!!!
Mrs langdon