Iz 🌟

Holy shit those were amazing results. No huge losses, Belgium and Cyprus, two I wasn't hugely into, gone, bit of a shame about Slovenia after it grew on me but if you'd told me 2 months ago that that would be the worst loss from Semi 1 I'd have taken it. So relieved that Ukraine were in at the end, they had a great performance but it seemed a bit divisive so I'm glad they made it and kept the 100%, this being the one to break it would have hurt. Liked the new reveal too, fun to predict which of the three they're sending through and it seems to allow them to send through the 'obviously through' ones first.

I think Azerbaijan, Portugal, Belgium, Cyprus and Croatia (?) might be out after that? Iceland could well be too but I hope not. love the insane meta musical numbers, that was a good one Suisse

I need all of Albania, Ukraine, Sweden and Iceland through, beyond that I'm good with whatever else happens, but quite a few surprises tonight - Croatia managing to wrench itself off the bottom of my rankings for one. Azerbaijan's total uselessness was also quite funny.

Cyprus artist in having better looks than singing ability shocker

Ooh that could be good on Saturday from Switzerland, really powerful

On song, Croatia have nothing, but tbf he's given the staging a great go, wouldnt be surprised to see that through

Good perf from Claude. I havent noticed the song too much but it's good enough to be in the final at least

Willing Albania to go all the way and win, this is such a quality standout

Would very much like San Marino through, compared to dreck like Azerbaijan this is HUGE

Jesus Christ this is awful. No good loss considering how awful their government is but it's stunning how utterly inept they've been lately.

I quite like the creepy vibe Italy has going, its... compelling

I don't get Belgium, it's a bit esoteric for the niche it's going for, could easily see it out.

Hate Norway. Insultingly generic and uninspired

That's the song to most commit the cardinal sin of being dull

God this is so genius for Sweden, I can't believe Im actually loving a swedish entry again

Spain have a very forgettable track The other way for Ukraine, Bird of pray has gotten better each time I hear it and that was performed excellently

I just can't

I still think it's a very boring song but Slovenia has managed to make me think it's quite sweet so, eh, I'll let them have it

Polands really coming alive with that performance, all the lovely fire and dramatics I love to see in the contest

that's so energetic and fun, great way to open the semi

lets go homeeee

No rest for the wicked! (the wicked being psephologists) Well, if there's any truth to those allegations that is. Definitely on my radar as a likely Reform pickup, though the prevalence of rural communities here means there might be Conservative strength yet - could be a full-on right-wing catfight.

True but it's always been a bit awkward live as a song. It'll probably be safe though. Ukraine is another one that might be in danger, we often think it won't because it's Ukraine but they scored low on the audience and press poll. Would be a real shame but it's a much more of a grower track.

Everything I hear about Iceland from the rehearsals is positive, I think they can make it, and it's certainly got some of the most energy in this semi. It is the one of my favourites I'm most worried about though, so will likely be glued to the screen hoping for them. Thinking Slovenia could well also be in. There's nothing like it in the semi. I could see Poland, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium all potentially failing if things don't go right for them.

Very interesting case. She was the VP on the ticket of Pedro Castillo, who became president on the ticket of a Marxist-left party. He wasn't particularly good, he was conservative socially and had authoritarian tendencies, but about a year and a half in, he tried a power grab to bypass his Congress but was impeached and removed from power. Boluarte took over, but pretty much immediately betrayed her leftist party, dropped any pretense of being left-wing and cosied up with the right-wing Congress, largely made up of Peru's Fujimorists, their hard right, named after former president Alberto Fujimori, with his daughter Keiko Fujimori leading their party (pretty much the Le Pen family of Peru, but if Le Pen had actually been a brutal dictator/president before). There were also left-wing protests against her for removing Castillo and taking over without any new elections, and she cracked down on them pretty harshly. So therefore Boluarte is in the position of both betraying the left-wing voters who voted for her presidential ticket, viewed as illegitimately clinging on to power and a brutal tyrant, and a weak puppet of the state by the Fujimorists. Perfect storm of disapproval.