After watching the rehearsals, we can try to predict the qualifiers of semi-final 2
We would like to remind you that a detailed review (in 7 chapters) can be found in the following links:
- Chapter 1 (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia) is available here
- Chapter 2 (Armenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Ukraine) is available here
- Chapter 3 (Austria, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, The Netherlands) is available here
- Chapter 4 (Cyprus, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia) is available here
- Chapter 5 (Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Israel, Poland, Romania) is available here
- Chapter 6 (Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Sweden) is available here
- Chapter 7 (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK) is available here
#1. 🇫🇮 Finland: The Rasmus – Jezebel
The Rasmus are one of the biggest name to compete this year at Eurovision. They arrive to the contest with a great fanbase and with a lot of experience. The stage looks interesting with huge black giant balloons on the floor. The lighting is mostly yellow and there’s a use of smoke and pyro. However, I wasn’t satisfied with Lauri’s vocal performance. Sometimes is seems like he is out of breath or too tired. Maybe it is related to the fact that he moves a lot on stage.
Their name might help them a bit, and also the fact that there are rock lovers in the public. Would it be enough? I’m not that sure.
Prediction: Border line
#2. 🇮🇱 Israel: Michael Ben David – I.M
The performance starts with showing Michael between mirror / LED screens. He wears a white outfit and catches the listener’s attention with great vocals. Later on, we see him on the main stage. 2 male dancers joining him (they wear white outfit as well). Later on, we can additional 2 male dancers with him. The performance is polished and includes a lot of dance movements. They also have a huge LED screen that hides the kinetic sun. The stage is lightened in white and red colors. There’s a really beautiful artwork on the LED floor in which gives us some 3D effects, thanks to the camera angles. I think this is the classic case where the singer and performance are better then the song.
Will it be enough? I am not sure at all. The main challenges will be the running order and the fact that there is a song with the same vibe later on this night.
Prediction: Border line
#3. 🇷🇸 Serbia: Konstrakta – In Corpore Sano
With an iconic performance and distinctive song, Serbia will try to conquer the public and the jury. She wears a white uniform, while being accompanied by 5 backing singer/dancers. They wear black and white outfits. The song is performed in the Serbian language, but we will get some subtitles on the TV screen. She will wash her hands during the performance. The song will be elevated by a rich graphic package, as well as blue and red light. It is a song that everyone gonna talk about and it will be of the viral performances of Eurovision 2022. Not to forget the Ex-Yugoslavian countries in this semi-final that will give it massive support (Montenegro , North Macedonia).
Prediction: Qualifying.
#4.🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Nadir Rustamli – Fade To Black
The stage will be designed like stadium bleachers. Nadir will be accompanied by 1 Danish male dancer. At the beginning, he sits on one the stairs. The performance features a lot of camera angles and it is very dynamic. Nadir’s voice is powerful and accurate live. The performance, in general, is quite dramatic. On the backdrop, we will be able to see character that looks like Nadir with blue neon light.
The stadium bleachers will be separated to 2 different pieces, while they are standing on it.
Jury will support this one, not sure about the public’s support.
Prediction: Border Line
#5. 🇬🇪 Georgia: Circus Mircus – Lock Me In
The alternative indie act of the night. They bring uniqueness and massive character on stage. They wear some iconic outfits (one of them with a beard made of flowers, the other one hides behind a mask and sun glasses and more). It is a little bit repetitive, but some people may find it catchy. We will able to see the main actor from the video clip on the graphic design on led screen. The led screen will shows geometric shapes, spirals, and giant black lips as well. The main motive is the neon light that take over the stage. One of the members holds a magnet colorful box. This box is opened and shows a tiny a prototype model of their staging with the members on it!
Visually, they have done the best they could have afforded.
However, I think this performance might be too edgy for some people.
Vocally and sonically, it has a unique stamp that can’t be ignored.
But on the same time, I can’t see it achieving enough support to defeat the wild animals of this semi-final.
Prediction: Not Qualifying.
#6. 🇲🇹 Malta: Emma Muscat – I Am What I Am
It is a self empowerment song that was meant to tell us standing our own. My main problem here is that I’m not convinced that Emma herself enjoys it that mush. It starts with Emma near the piano. She looks fabulous and wears sparkly disco ball dress. The lights are namely gold, yellow and orange. Vocally, she has has some good moments, but it sounded like she was stressed. At a certain point, she stand on the piano. Later on, she walks on the stage, trying to interact with the audience.
Towards the end, she is on the frontline of the stage, accompanied by 4 dancers. The performance looks like a winning performance of X-Factor, a year later the artist has won. I wouldn’t imagine this song with choreography, but we have it.
I wasn’t convinced at all. Malta will need a huge jury suppers, as in general they are not appreciated by the public vote. However, there are too many songs to be ranked high by jury in this semi-final.
Prediction: Not Qualifying
#7. 🇸🇲 San Marino: Achille Lauro – Stripper
This is an example of a song that it is massively lifted up by the staging. ON the studio-cut, it sounded good but not convincing enough. However, San Marino has brought us a serious stage show. The stage is lightened in a red light at the beginning. We can see an artwork of white finger and hands scratching the screen. Achille wears luxury black feather, cowboy’s hat and boots. He also wears a mesh body stocking. 2 giant metal cages are part of the staging and there’s one player in each one off them. The performance includes a lot of smoke and pyro. Towards the end, Achille is riding on a red bull doll. A lot of going on stage, but it is eye-catching and memorable.
We will get some sexy moments, including Achille kissing one of the guitarist, another guitarist will be shirtless.
Prediction: Qualifier
#8. 🇦🇺 Australia: Sheldon Riley – Not The Same
Sheldon brings one of the stronger performances on the night. Sheldon raises the voice of people that feels different and how they struggle to be part of the society.
His voice is irresistible. He wears a heavy dress (40 kilograms) and as always a wear a fancy mask-crown. The stage is filled with white fog on the floor. The main element on stage is 2 floor giant steps. This element is in front of the sun. The backdrop shows white galaxy. The spotlight is on Sheldon and his face. The outfit also can be seen remarkably under the lights.
It will get a massive jury support.
Prediction: Qualifying
#9. 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Andromache – Ela
Cyprus brings us an ethnic mid-tempo song, performed in English and Greek.
Andromache will be accompanied by female dancers on the stage. There is a huge shell-shaped structure. The dancers get out of this shape, but it is also used a way to create projection of lights and shapes. The wavy structure platform is lightened in blue, yellow, purple and orange.
The vocal performance isn’t perfect, and sometime she was off-key.
The staging is original and memorable. In fact, it distracts from the kinetic sun. The advantage will be the staging and the fact that there’s no such a song in the line-up. However, there are stronger performers in this semi-final.
Prediction: Border line
#10. 🇮🇪 Ireland: Brooke – That’s Rich
Ireland will try their luck with a up-tempo radio-friendly electro-pop. Brooke wears a light blue dress, accompanied by 4 female dancers. They have a great energy on stage. Vocally it isn’t strong enough. I believe that this song will be more accessible to teenagers or people who were teenagers in 2010-2011.
Even though it is a great effort, I still don’t see enough people supporting this on rather the jury.
Prediction: Not Qualifying.
#11. 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Andrea – Circles
It is an emotional mid-tempo R&B pop ballad. Andrea delivers it in a stripped-back interpretation. Her facial expressions, the lights and visual effects helps in creating the dramaץ
She is one of the greatest vocalist this year. And personally, I really feel every single emotion she had to deliver. My problem is that I don’t recognize much hype about this song among the public.
Being one of the last countries in the odds leads me to think that we will loose North Macedonia in the final.
Prediction: Not Qualifying.
#12. 🇪🇪 Estonia: STEFAN – Hope
Stefan will compete with a country pop song, in the style of retro wild-west music. The staging will be a simple one, with some camera filters. At a certain point, he runs and jumps over the stage. It can be a challenge for vocal stability. However, it is a radio-friendly song, he looks really comfortable on stage. This style of songs use to success in qualifying for the final.
Prediction: Qualifying.
#13. 🇷🇴 Romania: WRS – Llamame
Romania has brought a upbeat pop song with Latin elements (one evidence is the title of the song). The performance includes 2 male dancers and 2 female dancers. For some moments, it looks like the song and the performance were taken from the years 2000-2006.
Vocally, it wasn’t that accurate. However, I can see some people support it as a song that uplifts them, not sure about the jury. Not to forget Spain that votes in this semi-final.
I guess it will all be about the gap between jury votes and public votes.
In addition, Romania has received an allocation that can help it: after 2 mid-tempo songs and before 2 ballads.
Prediction: Border line
#14. 🇵🇱 Poland: Ochman – River
Poland has brought one of the high quality ballad of this line-up.
The text is meaningful and his vocal performance is amazing.
The high notes are unbelievable accurate. Some people will probably criticize the staging concept, even though the Polish broadcaster has dosed the effects.
To sum up, it has anything needed to success.
Prediction: Qualifying
#15. 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Vladana Vucinic – Breathe
Vladana will try her luck with a Balkan ballad, perfumed in English and Italian. The staging is impactful with a circular object behind her back that shows some LED lights. The stage is dark and sometimes we can see some shiny spots on her dress.
The performance is classic and decent. Some people might think she pushed too much.
I think she will be more appreciated by the jury. In addition, the Ex-Yugoslavian countries might support it as well (Serbia and North Macedonia).
But I think that voters will feel more connected to the other ballads in this line-up. Coming right after Poland, doesn’t look like an advantage.
Prediction: Not Qualifying
#16. 🇧🇪 Belgium: Jérémie Makiese – Miss You
Before the rehearsals, I used to think that Belgium has a path for the final.
However, things won’t come easy. It starts with the outfit: silver jacket that feels quite unrelated. In addition, they didn’t utilize the beautiful introduction regarding the excitement that should be created on the stage. He is a good vocalist in general, but towards the end he struggled (especially in the jury rehearsals).
The staging is lightened in blue, and later on in orange light. The combination between orange and silver looks a little bit strange for me. The dancers move in unnatural way in some of the cases.
So I will take a risk and will say –
Prediction: Not Qualifying.
#17. 🇸🇪 Sweden: Cornelia Jakobs – Hold Me Closer
Sweden sends a woman for a change. Cornelia create an incredible show, only with her magic and beautiful voice. The staging is simple and that’s why it gets even bigger impacts.
I believe that many people, as well as jury, will get emotional and will vote for this one.
I’d even put my prediction on this as a potential semi-final winner.
Prediction: Qualifying.
#18. 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: We Are Domi – Lights Off
The Czech Republic will bring us a high quality electro dance song.
Vocally, the lead singer Dominika has improved a lot.
There’s a wise use of vivid lights in the performance. The band members has great chemistry on the stage. We can see the artwork of famous sculptor on the LED screens.
This is the song that will make the audience dancing. Closing the semi-final is also an advantage.
Prediction: Qualifying
Prediction
Sure Qualifiers
- 🇷🇸 Serbia: Konstrakta – In Corpore Sano
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: Cornelia Jakobs – Hold Me Closer
- 🇵🇱 Poland: Ochman – River
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: We Are Domi – Lights Off
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Sheldon Riley – Not The Same
- 🇸🇲 San Marino: Achille Lauro – Stripper
- 🇪🇪 Estonia: STEFAN – Hope
Border Line
- 🇫🇮 Finland: The Rasmus – Jezebel
- 🇮🇱 Israel: Michael Ben David – I.M
- 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Nadir Rustamli – Fade To Black
- 🇨🇾 Cyprus: Andromache – Ela
- 🇷🇴 Romania: WRS – Llamame
Non Qualifiers
- 🇮🇪 Ireland: Brooke – That’s Rich
- 🇲🇰 North Macedonia: Andrea – Circles
- 🇬🇪 Georgia: Circus Mircus – Lock Me In
- 🇲🇹 Malta: Emma Muscat – I Am What I Am
- 🇲🇪 Montenegro: Vladana Vucinic – Breathe
- 🇧🇪 Belgium: Jérémie Makiese – Miss You
But we have to converge to list of 10 countries (or even closer)
Trying to make a final prediction, but it is too hard!
- 🇷🇸 Serbia: Konstrakta – In Corpore Sano
- 🇸🇪 Sweden: Cornelia Jakobs – Hold Me Closer
- 🇵🇱 Poland: Ochman – River
- 🇨🇿 Czech Republic: We Are Domi – Lights Off
- 🇦🇺 Australia: Sheldon Riley – Not The Same
- 🇸🇲 San Marino: Achille Lauro – Stripper
- 🇪🇪 Estonia: STEFAN – Hope
- 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Nadir Rustamli – Fade To Black
For the 10th spot I’m really have no clue!
I would put it between 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇷🇴 Romania.
I can’t see both Romania and Israel qualifying together.
Finland can qualify, based on the band’s record and great stage, but at the same time vocals should be improved.
Cyprus has a great staging and unique song. However, in this case vocals should also be improved.
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