Welcome to our new series of posts!
The moment of truth has arrived, and all 35 competing songs for Eurovision 2026 have been revealed.
So we are ready for an extended review of them and a ranking of the songs.
Each post in the series will focus on 5 songs.
This 3rd post will focus on 5 of the countries competing in semi-final 1: Georgia, Greece, Israel, Moldova, San Marino.
You can find the previous episodes here:
Bzikebi – On Replay
Bzikebi were internally selected to represent Georgia in Eurovision 2026. Previously, they represented the country in Junior Eurovision 2008, where they won the contest.
The message is about timeless joy and the cyclical nature of music, how a great beat stays “on replay” in our hearts across generations. It’s a nostalgic yet forward-looking “welcome back” anthem
Allocation in Semi-Final
Georgia was drawn to perform in the first half (songs 1-7) of semi-final 1.
Among the countries that usually vote for Georgia, 4 of them will vote in semi-final 1: Lithuania, Greece, Israel, and Moldova.
Initial Personal Ranking
24th overall, 9th in semi-final 1
Musical Review
- It is a quirky, avant-garde electro-swing track that feels like a modern update to their signature sound.
- The song starts with a playful, filtered vocal sample and a rhythmic, “scratching” record sound. The first verse is bouncy and rhythmic, featuring the trio’s tightly stacked, high-energy harmonies over a walking bassline. The melody is catchy and fast-paced, reminiscent of old-school cartoons but with a polished, 2026 digital edge.
- The first pre-chorus introduces a rising brass section and a “buzzing” synth that pays homage to their “Bzz..” roots. It builds a festive energy that feels both nostalgic and fresh. It features taccato vocal delivery that mimics a bee’s erratic flight. It builds a chaotic but controlled tension.
- The first chorus is a funky, disco-infused explosion. The “On Replay” hook is an instant earworm, supported by a driving house beat and bright, celebratory trumpets. The production here is glossy, blending disco-house with swing.
- The bridge features a sudden rhythmic breakdown with a heavy drum-and-bass influence, allowing for a high-energy dance moment before the final climax. It ends with a playful vocal fade-out, mirroring the “loop” of the title.
- Overall, it is a brilliant comeback. It’s fun, unique, and carries that “Georgian chaos” that Eurovision fans love. It’s mostly a track, not a by-the-book song. The electronic drop and the backing chanting are the most important components, leaving a smaller space for the vocals. I would prefer to get more singing parts, especially from the 2 ladies in the band.
Betting Odds
The song was released on March 11th.
On the first two days, it was ranked 19th and 22nd.
For the following 5 consecutive days, Georgia scored 24th-25th on the betting odds.
Ever since March 18th, Georgia has been between 26th and 27th in the odds.
Early Prediction
I believe Georgia is likely to qualify, though their spot isn’t yet guaranteed. The music video displays a promising vision, featuring haunting visuals and memorable choreography. The entry will likely resonate more with the public than with the jury.
Its fate will also depend on the running order; since it is drawn to perform in the first half of Semi-Final 1, it needs to be spaced away from televote magnets like Greece, Moldova, Finland, and Sweden. Overall, I would give Georgia a 70% chance of reaching the final.
Therefore, my prediction is Georgia will qualify and end in 13th-19th place in the final
Akylas – Ferto
Akylas won “Sing For Greece 2026 – Ethnikós Telikós” with his song “Ferto”.
The song depicts capitalism and overconsumption. It tells the story of someone trying to fill an emotional void (caused by a childhood of poverty) with material greed, only to realize that “everything is not enough.” The heart of the song is a touching tribute to his mother, whom he wants to provide for.
Allocation in Semi-Final 1
Greece was drawn to perform in the first half (songs 1-7) of semi-final 1.
Among the countries that usually vote for Greece, 4 of them will vote in semi-final 1: San Marino, Serbia, Montenegro, and Germany
Initial Personal Ranking
23rd overall, 8th is semi-final 1
Musical Review
- It is a chaotic, “techno-folk” song with rap elements.
- The song starts with ambient nature sounds that are suddenly interrupted by a low-frequency, “animalistic” electronic throb. Akylas opens the first verse with a rapid-fire, aggressive, near-rap delivery in Greek. His voice is gritty and raw, capturing the “manic” energy of the lyrics. The beat is a dark, industrial pulse.
- The first pre-chorus features a startling 8-bit, 8-millisecond synth hook and frantic, rhythmic vocal gasps. It builds a sense of overwhelming greed and urgency.
- The first chorus is a thunderous explosion of electronic sounds and a traditional Greek Lyra. Akylas delivers the “Ferto” hook with a powerful, chesty shout-vocal that sounds like a command. It is hypnotic and slaps energetically.
- The second verse moves into a heavier techno-trap beat, while the bridge provides the emotional pivot. Here, the noise drops out, and Akylas sings a tender, melodic address to his mother in a clean, vulnerable head-voice. The song ends with a high-speed techno outro that takes the energy to a frenetic, “Game Over” climax.
- Overall, this is a “genius” piece of the song. Akylas uses his voice to navigate between madness and sincerity, creating a “drama-techno” moment. The song suggests some uniqueness, and at the same time, it is quite entertaining. In some parts, I feel like the song is a bit too engineered to the Eurovision funny entry formula (Käärijä, Baby Lasagna, etc).
Betting Odds
The song was selected as Greece‘s entry for Eurovision 2026 on February 15th.
Between February 16th and March 1st, Greece was the runner-up in the betting odds.
Thereafter, its chances decreased to the 3rd place.
Ever since March 8th, Greece has been 4th with the bookies.
Early Prediction
Qualifying for the final is obvious. I believe that the majority of its points will come from the public. The song must be elevated with better staging compared to the national selection.
Such a fun entry will probably do well.
Prediction: Qualifying, 3rd-8th in the final
Noam Bettan – Michelle
Noam Bettan won “Hakohav Haba La’Eurovision 2026” (“The Rising Star For Eurovision 2026”).
His song “Michelle” was internally selected by the professional committee.
The song describes a toxic, magnetic love. The story follows the narrator’s struggle to walk away from a relationship that is “an angel, but is it hell.” It uses the character “Michelle” as a symbol for a beautiful but destructive obsession that keeps him trapped in an emotional carousel.
Allocation in Semi-Final 1
Israel was drawn to perform in the second half (songs 8-15) of semi-final 1.
Among the countries that usually vote for Israel, 5 of them will vote in semi-final 1: Germany, Finland, Georgia, Italy, and Portugal.
Initial Personal Ranking
11th overall, 4th in semi-final 1.
Musical Review
- It is a moody, trilingual “Drama-Pop” mid-tempo pop song.
- The song starts with a melancholic, French-chanson piano melody and Noam’s gravelly, soulful vocals in Hebrew. The first verse is atmospheric and lyrical, with Noam utilizing subtle Mizrahi vocal trills that add a unique Middle Eastern texture to the French phrasing. He sings warmly and emotionally. The melody builds slowly with a soft electronic pulse.
- The first pre-chorus shifts into French with a cleaner, more contemporary pop tone and a rising synth tension. It is vulnerable and yet powerful, letting him present a wider range of his voice.
- The first chorus is a soaring, desperate explosion. The repetition of “Michelle” is haunting, performed with a pain-filled, soaring belt that hits like a gut-punch. The production thickens into a mid-tempo, “Stromae-style” club beat. This part is performed in French as well.
- The second verse moves into English, adding a layer of rhythmic soul and fast transitions.
- The bridge is a cinematic climax, featuring Noam’s impressive “j’ai crié” (I yelled) vocal belts, a direct nod to the French classic, before a final, wall-of-sound chorus. It ends with a fading, elegant piano outro.
- The final chorus starts with a more laid back production, and lets empower into more rocky singing, and clap elements.
- Overall, it is polished, emotionally resonant, and Noam has delivered a vocal masterclass. I appreciate Israel for trying something different this year. It wasn’t an immediate click for me, but I learned to like it more. It brings a different color of voice and energy. I would have preferred the song to feature more Hebrew parts.
Betting Odds
Israel released its song for Eurovision 2026 on March 5th.
Ever since then, Israel has been in 6th and 7th place in the odds, mostly in 7th place.
Early Prediction
Israel is allocated to perform in the second half of semi-final 1, which is the weaker half.
In recent years, Israel has been a powerhouse in public voting, as well as with excellent staging concepts.
I think we can expect a quite similar pattern this year, including limited support from the jury.
Therefore, Israel will probably be in the top 5 in semi-final 1.
Prediction: I think Israel is almost certain to qualify. They will end in 4th-9th place in the final.
Satoshi – Viva, Moldova
Vlad Sabajuc (known as Satoshi) won the Moldovan selection.“Finala Națională 2026” with “Viva, Moldova”. The song is a love letter to his homeland. It celebrates the Moldovan identity as a multicultural crossroads, blending languages and traditions. It’s about the pride of the “working man” and the warmth of the family table, framing Moldova as a resilient, vibrant “Terra Nova.”
Allocation in Semi-Final 1
Moldova was drawn to perform in the first half (songs 1-7) in semi-final 1.
Among the countries that usually vote for Moldova, 4 of them will vote in semi-final 1:Portugal, Italy, Greece, and San Marino.
Initial Personal Ranking
35th overall, 15th in semi-final 1
Musical Review
- It is a pulsing, arena-rock and hip-hop song with rap elements.
- The song opens with a cinematic, “wide-screen” pan-flute melody and a heavy, grounding kick drum. Satoshi opens the first verse with a gravelly, baritone vocal grit, delivering Romanian and Spanish verses with a rhythmic rock intensity. The melody is based on a driving, low-end bassline.
- The first pre-chorus is a multicultural celebration, featuring vocal samples in several languages layered over a fast “clap” track. Satoshi’s voice rises into a more urgent, mid-range power here.
- The first chorus is a soaring, stadium-ready hook. He leads the chant with a booming, anthemic belt that is designed for people to sing along to. The production is a thick blend of folk instruments and a modern rock drum kit.
- The bridge features a sudden pause for a traditional “Doina” (folk-cry) vocal by 2 female backing vocalists (Aliona Moon among them), which builds into a final, chaotic “Hora” dance breakdown.
- The song ends with a triumphant, percussive finish and a final shout of “Viva Moldova!”
- Overall, it is the “commercial peak” of the Moldovan selection. It is a memorable song that usually does well with the public. But I feel like the song is too repetitive and somehow too trivial. The song’s message is a story we have already heard many times. Musically, the song lives on very specific lines. The fact that it has already been revamped twice, and still misses some boxes, tell that it still has to imrpove.
Betting Odds
The song was selected to represent Moldova on January 17th.
On the first 2 days, Moldova was ranked 21st and 22nd in the odds.
Between January 19th and February 4th, the song was ranked between 23rd and 26th place.
Thereafter, Moldova was ranked 27th-28th for 2 days.
Between February 7th and March 9th, the song was ranked between 28th and 31st place.
Between March 10th and March 19th, Moldova moved between 22nd and 25th place.
Thereafter, Moldova spent 2 days in 21st place.
Ever since March 23rd, Moldova has moved up between 17th and 19th place.
Early Prediction
Following historical participation patterns, Moldova seems almost certain to qualify for the final. This reliability often stems from their shrewd use of memorable staging and folk-inspired hooks that consistently resonate with the televote.
This song will likely receive significantly more support from the public than the juries. However, I can see the Balkan countries’ jury (Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, and Serbia) voting this one as well, with some potential support from Poland and Georgia.
Prediction: I think Moldova will qualify for the final, and will end around 6th-12th in the final
Senhit feat. Boy George – Superstar
Senhit has previously represented San Marino in Eurovision in 2011, 2020, and 2021.
She won the national selection “San Marino Song Contest 2026”, featuring Boy George, with the song “Superstar“.
It is an anthem of self-empowerment and radical uniqueness. The message is about stepping out of the shadows and transforming personal fragility into a “superstar” persona. It emphasizes that everyone has an inner icon waiting to be unleashed.
Allocation in Semi-Final 1
San Marino was drawn to perform in the second half (songs 8-15) of semi-final 1.
Among the countries that usually vote for San Marino, 6 of them will vote in semi-final 1: Italy, Georgia, Greece, Montenegro, Moldova, and Poland.
Initial Personal Ranking
30th overall, 12th in semi-final 1.
Musical Review
- It is a glossy, high-glam disco-pop track. The song starts with a shimmering “stardust” synth effect and a classic 1970s and 1980s-inspired “four-on-the-floor” house beat.
- Senhit opens the first verse with her playful, “pop-diva” vocals, keeping her delivery sassy and rhythmic. The melody is based on a funky keyboard loop.
- The first pre-chorus introduces a rising riser and a “clap” track that builds significant energy, adding a layer of legendary gravitas to the “bubblegum” sound.
- The first chorus is a soaring, catchy explosion of “Superstar” energy. It is cyclic and more memorable. Senhit sings it with a bright, polished belt that feels effortless.
- The second verse features a lighter “trap-pop” beat, where Senhit plays with a more rhythmic delivery.
- The bridge is a heavy, hip-hop-inspired dance breakdown, with a “dance-break” moment that shifts the focus to the choreography, featuring sassy vocal ad-libs.
- It ends with a high-energy final chorus where their voices layer magically over a glittery synth outro. Boy George’s iconic, soulful, and raspy backing vocals enter here, a bit too late if you ask me.
- Overall, it is a nice throwback to the music from several decades ago. However, it feels very constant and doesn’t really go anywhere. In my opinion, production is too basic. The chorus is much more memorable compared to the other parts. In addition, the decision to invite a famous singer like Boy George and allocate only a very small part of the song to his singing doesn’t feel right. It feels like the song was written in 5 minutes, and it is a shame.
Betting Odds
San Marino selected “Superstar” as their Eurovision 2026 entry on March 6th.
Ever since then, the country has been ranked between 25th and 27th place in the betting odds.
Early Prediction
San Marino will compete with a fun entry, but one that isn’t really bold enough.
I don’t see the song getting much support at the moment.
Sadly, I don’t think a brilliant staging will help, nor Boy George.
It will probably be in the bottom 3 of the semi-finals.
Therefore, I believe San Marino will not qualify for the final
In the next chapter, we will review 5 countries from semi-final 2
Eurovision 2026 will be held in Vienna, Austria, on May 12th, 14th, and 16th, 2026.
