Eurovision 2024 Semi-Final 2 Prediction

16 countries will take part in the second semi-final on the 9th of May 2024.
Only 10 of them will advance to the final, based on public voting only.
In this article, I will try to predict the 10 qualifiers for semi-final 2:

🇲🇹 Malta: Sarah Bonnici – Loop

• It is a dance pop song.
• Sarah Bonnici will wear a sparkly silver bodysuit with some sequins.
• She will be accompanied by 4 male dancers wearing black leather outfits. We can also recognize some salsa moves and shoulder lifts.
• Based on the odds, Malta is ranked quite low with the bookies.
• The performance is everything you could have imagined: A lot of dance moves, choreography that showcase passion, etc.
• Sarah has improved vocally and the performance has been polished.
• I tend to believe it will do better than expected. However, Malta tends to struggle with the televote.
• Prediction: Borderline (can either qualify or not)

🇦🇱 Albania: Besa – Titan

• It is a mid-tempo ballad.
• Besa wears a 2 part outfit, which is a different one compared to the outfit from the first rehearsal. It is a long sleeved jacket with suitable pants, both in a glamour disco ball design.
• Besa will be accompanied by 2 backing singers and 3 female backing dancers, who will dance around her in a contemporary style. 
• I feel like the song is quite forgettable. I can’t say it is boring, but I feel like it is generic and doesn’t leave an impression.
• Being allocated the 2nd spot in the running order won’t help either.
• Prediction: Not Qualifying

🇬🇷 Greece: Marina Satti – Zari

• It is a multi-genres song, which combines ethnic pop, Balkan music, urban pop and even Indian Bollywood music.
• Marina Satti will wear a purple short sparkly skirt, a light purple top and black heeled boots.
• Marina will be accompanied by dancers: 3 male and a female. They will create a demanded ethnic atmosphere. They will make some street dance with Greek elements. The dancers are wearing black outfits with white decorations. They will also wave white napkins.
• What’s special about this performance will be the one shot camera.
• It is the first time in years (since 2018) that Greece sends an ethnic song in its native language, and it seems like some people have really looked forwards for this.
• The song is upbeat and uplifting and I believe it will make people dance. However, when listening to it for the first time, it might be a little chaotic.
• Prediction: Qualifying

🇨🇭 Switzerland: Nemo – The Code

• It is a multi-genres song, which combines hip-hop, rap, pop, opera and more.
• Nemo are wearing a short pearl-peach short dress, with a long jacket made of pink and white fur (looks like pink fluff) and fur boots.
• The main prop is a huge white circular platform with a diameter of 2-3 meters. It is moving around its pivot. During the performance we can see Nemo climb this platform, slide it off, jump on it and dance on top of it.
• The performance is very dynamic, mainly due to the singers’ movement.
• The song is one of the most modern ones, and I believe the non-trivial combination of genre will be a hot topic to be discussed by the voters.
• Prediction: Qualifying (Top 3)

🇨🇿 Czechia: Aiko – Pedestal

• It is a pop rock song.
• Aiko has improved on the vocal aspect and the wishful outfit change is also blessed.
• Aiko is wearing a black outfit, where the top part is like a half transparent net. Underneath she has a glittery red sleeves outfit. She is accompanied by 4 female dancers, with sparkly mesh face coverings and black outfits, and with the same hair style as Aiko.
• The performance utilize the cubes on stage and present different video on top.
• One of the problems is that the song comes right after 2 memorable songs (Greece and Switzerland). I fear that the long shots will reduce the chances of viewers to connect with Aiko.
• Prediction: Borderline (can either qualify or not)

🇦🇹 Austria: Kaleen – We Will Rave

• It is a techno-EDM pop song, with influences from the 1990’s music.
• Kaleen will wear a glittery silver outfit composed of one part with some black and transparent decorations. The outfit will enable her exposing her legs.
• She will be accompanied by 4 male dancers, wearing black cargo pants, sleeveless jackets and oversized wraparound shades.
• The staging concept is mainly based on dance rituals and blue laser lights. I believe the concept will help it to be bold.
• EDM songs can usually succeed with the public, in case they are performed properly.
• Based on the rehearsals, it seems like Kaleen has improved vocally, and this might help. However, in some cases her singing was a bit hesitant. In these kind of songs, the singing itself isn’t the most crucial part.
• Part of the singing is “blurred” by the strong beats and backing vocals, so in general it works nicely.
• Prediction: Borderline (can either qualify or not)

🇩🇰 Denmark: SABA – Sand

• Saba will wear a simple white sleeveless-outfit, while her arms are covered in white fabric. It is a kind of pant-suit with pockets.
• She will be standing on a low rectangular platform. The lighting is mainly blue and white, but in some cases it will warmer: yellow, bronze and orange.
• I feel like the staging indeed creates an atmosphere. However, it is still not the optimal one.
• The main problem will be Saba’s singing. The song includes some long notes, which she doesn’t manage to perform properly.
• In addition, the allocation of this song between the uplifting EDM from Austria and the festive Ethnic song from Armenia, might make it disappear.
• Denmark also tends to do less better than in the past, this might apply this year as well.
• Prediction: Not Qualifying

🇦🇲 Armenia: LADANIVA – Jako

• It is an ethnic song.
• Jako is wearing a long white shirt with a suitable skirt, her outfit also features red fabric and some decorations. Louis is wearing gray pants and a white shirt with a retro silver belt. Louis is equipped with 2 wind instruments.
• The experience might be similar to a live concert. They will be accompanied by 4 players who are wearing gray pants and jackets (one is gray, another is light blue, the other two in white).
• Louis and the 4 additional players played on different instruments during the performance: flute, drums, electric guitar, trumpet, bouzaki and more.
• It is one of the 2 ethnic songs in this semi-final (together with Greece).
• Uplifting songs with ethnic elements usually do well with the public (for example Moldova 2022) and I think it won’t be different this year.
• Prediction: Qualifying

🇱🇻 Latvia: Dons – Hollow

• Dons will wear a royal blue sleeveless pantsuit 
• The staging includes a huge vertical circular prop with a diameter of 3-4 meters. This prop isn’t dynamic. It is mostly lit in orange/brown.
• The LED walls show pulsing lights and circles behind him.
• The song is based on emotional text, but I feel like the audience isn’t connected to this one.
• Latvia has struggled in recent years, with last grand final appearance in 2016.
• Sadly, ballads tend to do not that good with the public in recent years.
• Prediction: Not Qualifying

🇸🇲 San Marino: Megara – 11:11

• It is a rock song with some electro elements.
• Megara’s lead singer Kenzy is wearing a pink and black furry coat and a black collar. The rest of the band members wearing outfits that featured pink and black zebra stripes.
• LED screens present black and pink artwork, including trees and dragons. This helps them to create a fairy story on stage.
• During the performance she takes off her coat and reveals a pink PVC armor with a dinosaur spine.
• I must confess that the performance elevated the song.
• However, I feel like the song doesn’t develop convincingly enough as a rock song. In some parts it even sounds childish. I am also afraid that other rock songs in this semi-final (like Norway) will defeat it.
• Prediction: Borderline (can either qualify or not)

🇬🇪 Georgia: Nutsa Buzaladze – Firefighter

• It is an ethno-pop song.
• Nutsa is wearing a short bronze/gold dress with separate suitable sleeves. She wears black heels with strings attached.
• Nutsa is accompanied by 4 Italia n make dancers, who are wearing long black skirts, leather shoes and transparent black tops with no sleeves.
• As one can expect, the performance is powerful, energetic and features a lot of fire elements and fire.
• The dancers contributed a lot to the whole package, and it looks like Georgia has finally invested (budget wisely) in their staging.
• The last time Georgia qualified was 2016, and I hope it will change.
• Prediction: Qualifying

🇧🇪 Belgium: Mustii – Before The Party’s Over

• It is a mid-tempo pop ballad.
• Mustii will wear a white pants, a open white shirt with a glittery gem-encrusted top underneath and golden gloves. This will allow for an effect that will reflect the arene lights.
• He will be alone on stage. The main prop will be a smokey platform with a circle of microphones on
• As a studio-cut, it is one of the best songs this year: The way it develops, the lyrics and the melody are great.
• However, I felt lie he pushed too much in the performance. His moves and facial expressions are too dramatic and there’s something not appealing about the staging.
• Vocally, he sometimes was too loud. I felt like it hurt the balance between technical aspects and emotions.
• Before the pre-parties and rehearsals, I tend to think it is a certain qualifier. Sadly, it changed.
• On the paper, it should qualify, but I can see this as a potential surprising non qualifier
• Prediction: Borderline (can either qualify or not)

🇪🇪 Estonia: 5MIINUST, Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi

• All 6 members of 2 band are wearing black: 5MINUUST in black suits, while Puuluup in black outfits with a one sleeve only.
• The Estonian delegation chose to use the LED cubes as well: The cubes are down, lit up in different colors (green, pink and yellow) and graphic.
• The same graphics are presented on the LED wall as well.
• On one hand, the song is quite catchy, especially due to the talharpa instrument and the dance moves. However the whole performance is quite chaotic, and I find the vocals not the most attractive.
• The song made many people to vote for it in the national selection, but is more a native phenomenon or an international one?
• I also find their allocation draw not the best one: Italy (interval act), Israel, Norway and The Netherlands coming after.
• Prediction: Borderline (can either qualify or not)

🇮🇱 Israel: Eden Golan – Hurricane

• It is an emotional contemporary ballad.
• Eden will wear a long flowing white dress, she will be accompanied by 5 dancers: 3 males and 2 females. The dancers are wearing off-white and gray outfits.
• The main prop will be a circular platform with a built-in wind machine that will represent the hurricane. It also features some ladders to help the dancers to go up and down.
• Eden has a great vocal abilities that will help her elevate her performance.
• It is a performance that put a special emphasis on conveying emotions. Eden will interact with the dancers, while being supported by smoke, lights and various camera angles.
• It won’t be a simple task for Israel, mainly due to the current conflict that may impact some voters. But I believe the majority of the voters will judge in on its merit.
• Prediction: Qualifying 

🇳🇴 Norway: Gåte – Ulveham

• It is a folk rock song.
• The lead singer (Gunnhild) is wearing dark green wide trousers with a suitable top. One of the shoulders is decorated with fabric which creates leaves effect.
• The rest of the band members are wearing black outfits.
• The main prop will be a circular spinning platform with trees and rocks.
• The LED screen will feature spooky swirling graphics, alongside laser lights.
• I consider this song as one of the bold rock songs this year and the staging is quite epic. The lead singer’s voice is distinctive.
• On the other hand, I can see some people avoiding this one due to the vocals which they might consider too pushy.
• Prediction: Qualifying 

🇳🇱 Netherlands: Joost Klein – Europapa

• It is a techno hip-hop song with influences of the Gabber genre (which was born in the 1990’s in The Netherlands).
• Joost Klein is wearing a blue pant-suit with pointy shoulders, black sunglasses, a white shirt underneath, and elegant black shoes.
• His keyboard player will have a blue chicken custom, with yellow beak, yellow pants and yellow shots. This chicken looks like the European Union logo.
• The performance starts with Joost’s face presented on the LED floor as a video.
• I must say the performance was less promising than I had expected. The Dutch delegation promised something big which I wasn’t able to find.
• However, it is a kind of a song that can do really good with the public. Closing the show will help as well.
• Prediction: Qualifying (Top 2)

More precisely, I believe the full ranking will be something like this:

Place	Country
1-2	The Netherlands/Switzerland
3-5	Israel / Norway / Greece
6-8	Armenia / Georgia/ Austria
9-12	Belgium/ Estonia/ Czechia/ Malta
13-16	Latvia / Denmark / Albania/ San Marino

• Therefore, I believe there are around 8 certain qualifiers: Switzerland, The Netherlands, Israel, Norway, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, and Austria.
• Additional 4 counters will fight for 2 remaining spots: Malta, Estonia, Belgium, and Czechia.
• Out of these 2, I believe Czechia has the slimmest chance to qualify.
• So actually, Estonia, Belgium and Malta will fight for the 2 remaining spots.
• It seems like Malta has the most attractive performance out of these 3.
• Will it be possible to get 6 songs qualifying from position 11 to 16? I am really not sure.

My final prediction (with a lot of uncertainty):

• Switzerland
• The Netherlands
• Israel
• Norway
• Greece
• Armenia
• Georgia
• Austria
• Malta
• Estonia

Eurovision 2024 will be held in Malmö, Sweden.
The semi-finals will be held on the 7th and 9th of May 2024, and the grand final will be held on the 11th of May 2024.

Don’t forget to visit our Eurovision 2024 homepage