Preview of the first semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision (Part 2)

After reviewing the first half of the first semi-final, we are going to review the second half of this semi-final and lets get back to the list, before we proceed:

In this article, I would be reviewing the second half of the first semi-final which would cover the remaining countries in this competitive semi-final.

10.Azerbaijan-Samra-Miracle

Much better than 2015 song in my opinion. It is catchy and memorable. In my case, this song is still stuck inside my head. Azerbaijan is a cherished country, Samra has a great voice – i don’t know if her voice is stunning live – and the song is good. I hope she brings a good stage, even though she already has a high chance of qualifying.

11.Cyprus-Minus One-Alter Ego 

This country has really improved! Minus One brought us a rock song that is not messy and is loved by almost everyone. Their lyrics are awesome, their rhythm is so catchy and Alter Ego just follows on and on. You would enjoy those 3 minutes. Cyprus always manages to qualify, it would be a sin if this doesn’t qualify. For me: a clear qualifier.

12.Malta-Ira Losco-Walking On Water

We must have got used to Malta’s revamps. From a chameleon now we have Ira walking in water, but both are great songs. Walk on water is a great song, its rhythm is unique and catchy. Those background sounds make a good atmosphere on it, and of course, Ira Losco’s voice is amazing. Even though, last year Malta was a clear favorite and it stocked in the semifinal. Hope this doesn’t happen with Ira.

13.Bosnia & Herzegovina-Dalal & Deen ft. Ana Rucner & Jala

This country is back with a stunning song (in my opinion). Those 4 voices and the background instruments are awesome. A lot of people despises the rap part, but it just lasts for a few seconds. Bosnian is a beautiful language. If their voices live and staging are stunning, I’m pretty sure that it would qualify.

14.Estonia-Jüri Pootsman-Play

Jüri is handsome, and that’s a clear advantage. Ok, let me start. It is deep, calm and quiet song, but it has a classy essence. I was not kidding about Jüri’s advantage, it helps him a lot, also his voice live is great. It is an enjoyable song but no more. In my opinion, it needs to bring an incredible staging to let it play in the grand final.

15.Czech Republic-Gabriela Gunčíková-I Stand 

For me, this is one of the most underrated countries. This song is really good and I’m sure that Gabriela has a stunning voice live. But, to be honest, I don’t know if this country will qualify, not because of the song but because of the country it belongs to. Always underrated. Gabriela needs to make an awesome staging and job for qualifying, if God wants to.

16.Montenegro-Highway-The Real Thing

It is a good rock song but it is a little bit messy at the same time. Rock songs are generally underrated in ESC and this song hasn’t be placed well in the majority of tops. And also, it has a lot of good “rivals”. So, to be honest, Montenegro will not qualify.

17.Iceland-Greta Salome- Hear Them Calling

Greta is back with a great song! It is catchy, her voice live is stunning and her staging too. Iceland has been a cherished country until 2015. Now we don’t know what can happen. In my opinion, it has a 50% chance of qualifying. Iceland doesn’t have a big dispora as much as the other countries, but if Greta rocks the stage, I’m sure she will qualify.

18.Austria-Zoe-Loin D'ici

 It is a lovely and cute – French – song. Zoe doesn’t have the best voice live but the song has been growing gradually in people. Austria has been qualifying frequently but probably this will be the exception. Unless is completely grown for people for receiving enough votes. 

As we had completed the list for the first semi-final, here are the potential qualifiers of this semi-final in my point of view:

• Armenia
• Russia
• Hungary
• Azerbaijan
• Cyprus
• Finland
• Greece
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Estonia 
• Malta

Well,that is my prediction and opinion for the first semi-final of the contest and I hoped that your favourite could also qualify to the grand final.

Written by: Valery (@eurovision_mexico)

Preview of the first Semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision (Part 1)

The first semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision song contest, seems to be a really difficult one. There is no clear favorite but of course we do have some underrated countries, or that a lot of people dislikes. But before we proceed, lets take a look at the 18 countires that would be fighting for the golden ticket in this semi-final.

18 countries would be singing in this semi-final but there are only 10 spots available for the golden ticket to the grand final. It is truly difficult yet easy at the same time. In my opinion, this semifinal has the potential to break a lot of hearts, but remember, if you really like a song, you should support it until the end. 

Country Review.

1.Croatia-Nina Kraljic-Lighthouse

Nina has great song and which is loved by nearly everyone. She seldom lands in place below the 30th in many tops and her song does covers a unique topic, which is about a lighthouse. I’m pretty sure Nina will have an awesome performance with beautiful stagings, the lighthouse and of course, her awesome yet breathless voice. Croatia might be an underrated country, but I really hope it qualifies.

2.Finland-Sandja-Sing It Away

Sing it away is a catchy and brilliant song. It makes you dance and feel it lightens your mood, but the problem is that there are already a lot of danceable songs in the contest. It has a good message and I hope that Sandhja would bring a good show in Stockholm
.

3.Moldova-Lidia Isac-Falling Stars 

(It is awesome). This song is catchy and fabulous. It was my favorite in the Moldovan NF, so I have been loving it since a long time ago. It is a good song, even though Lidia needs to improve her vocals more and create a big show if she wants to qualify. On the other hand, she has difficulties because Moldova is generally an underrated country. But if she reaches the magical formula, I’m sure she will get it.

4.Armenia-Iveta Mukuchyan-Love Wave

Iveta brings us a unique song, with a different style which will probably create the difference. It is liked by almost everyone, but at the same it is kind of underrated. Iveta’s voice is incredible and I’m sure it can create a lot of different tones and have a stunning performance on stage. Armenia is always a cherished – and sometimes overrated – country, so I’m 99% sure it will qualify.

5.Greece-Argo-Utopian Land 

Now, Greece has brought to us a new style, with their own language… it is different and so ethnic! But a lot of people just despises it or places it in a low place in their tops. Greece is a country that has always qualified, and I hope – personally – that this won’t be the exception. It is a little messy, but if Argo brings a great stage and if their voices live are good, I’m sure it will be a qualifier.

6.Hungary-Freddie-Pioneer

It is a great song, a clear favorite since the Hungarian NF and it has a high place in almost all tops. It is danceable but it has something else, a different rhythm and style that will make this country qualify.

7.Russia-Sergey Lazarev-You're The Only One

Sergey is well known in Russia. His voice live is great and this song is danceable, catchy and enjoyable. And also, of course, is Russia. In my opinion, this song has all the chances of qualifying and I hope it brings a good staging – I’m pretty sure it will .

8.The Netherlands-Douwe Bob-Slow Down

Country is a controversial genre. Some people love it, some people despise it. Douwe Bob brings to us a serene and quiet song, but with a special essence. In my opinion, he has difficulties for qualifying but, also, we must remember Holland 2014, a deep and calm song which reached the 2^nd place. Douwe needs to have a stunning stage and great vocals live if he really wants to qualify and get a high place.

9.San Marino-Serhat-I Didn't Know 

Aww Serhat! This is one of the most entertaining and controversial songs in Eurovision. The disco version is MUCH better than the previous version, at least it has more rhythm. This song is not the best but, in my opinion, is not the worst neither. It is just funny. But it won’t qualify.

Well, that is my prediction and views for the first half of the first semi-final and the second half of this semi final would be posted soon. I would like to thank you for reading this article and on behalf of ESC Intercon, I would like to thank you for reading our page.

Written by: Valery (@eurovision_mexico)