David

It was a good rehearsal, but the song (and performance) just smacks of a dated Israeli entry. They've got a good draw, and he is hot, but I can see it missing out.

No. I am completely underwhelmed by that performance, not even joking. It lacks everything that the previous "live" performances of 'Euphoria' we have seen (presumably backing vocals), and if Loreen performs like that on the night, she's gonna do an Amaury Vassili.

Here are my final predictions for semi final one then after seeing the rehearsals... 01 Romania 02 Denmark 03 Russia 04 Iceland 05 Greece 06 Cyprus 07 Ireland 08 Finland 09 Latvia 10 Belgium -------------------- 11 Switzerland 12 Hungary 13 Albania 14 Moldova 15 San Marino 16 Israel 17 Austria 18 Montenegro I'm fairly sure the top eight will all qualify, however it's quite tough after that. I've opted for Latvia and Belgium, but realistically any of Switzerland, Hungary, Albania or Moldova could take one of those places. I did initially think Moldova would do better, but it is a pretty atrocious mess. I'm fairly confident the bottom four have no chance, as much as I'd love San Marino to qualify. Semi final two coming up in a few days...

Rehearsals have started, and the odds are changing slightly... Sweden 7/4 Italy 7/1 Russia 8/1 Serbia 11/1 United Kingdom 12/1 Iceland 18/1 Denmark 20/1 Ireland 20/1 Romania 20/1 Spain 20/1 They're the top few from Sky Bet. Romania and Cyprus' odds are both shortening though, and I expect Sweden's will once Loreen has performed. Will be interesting to see how strong Nina is as well. I've seen one of her live performances of the song, and I wasn't overly impressed. :cry:

I'm absolutely loving it now, and after seeing more of her live performances, I think she'll win Rybak style. I really can't choose now whether I prefer Loreen or Nina Zilli. Both fantastic songs, and I can't see past a Sweden-Italy top two.

'Euphoria' came on in GAY at Heaven last night (London's biggest gay club). I didn't even request it. Everyone was going mental to it. Random gays were singing it outside. It was amazing. :heart:

Oh I just don't know. All the signs are pointing towards Loreen doing a Rybak and completely landsliding it, but I'm still not convinced. I'm going to watch all the rehearsals and give my final opinions...

Just. Wow. T33cutfGNo4

The compliation has made me realise that the only songs I don't like are Austria, Montenegro and Georgia. Very impressed now with this year!

It was always obvious Sweden would landslide this. Genuinely don't think it'll win four weeks today though.

Oh I've booked the 22nd and 24th off during the evening, so there's no worry there. I never work weekends either thank god. :D I also legally downloaded the album yesterday. First time in a while...

Latest odds from Sky Bet: Sweden 9/4 Italy 8/1 Russia 10/1 Serbia 11/1 Denmark 14/1 United Kingdom 14/1 Ireland 16/1 Spain 18/1 Germany 20/1 Norway 20/1 Iceland 22/1 Greece 25/1 Romania 28/1 Turkey 28/1 Cyprus 33/1 Azerbaijan 40/1 Estonia 50/1 Slovenia 66/1 Ukraine 66/1 Belarus 80/1 Bosnia & Herzegovina 80/1 Hungary 80/1 Slovakia 80/1 Switzerland 80/1 Bulgaria 100/1 Finland 100/1 France 100/1 Moldova 100/1 Netherlands 100/1 Croatia 125/1 Albania 150/1 Austria 150/1 Belgium 150/1 Georgia 150/1 Israel 150/1 Latvia 150/1 Lithuania 150/1 FYR Macedonia 200/1 Montenegro 200/1 Portugal 200/1 San Marino 200/1 Malta 250/1

How soon before it's actually released does it leak? I've downloaded most of the songs anyway, but they're all of different quality, and I want all the final versions asap!

Has anyone noticed Italy's odds shortening? They're above Russia now on Betfair at 19/2 to Russia 21/2. ^_^

I really don't know this year. I don't see Sweden landsliding it though at all myself... Gonna have to do some serious pondering over all the songs once the CD has been released...

Wow. That new version is AMAZING. So glad I've got a bet on them...they could really go all the way this year!

This chart is voted for by the public, and is always fairly interesting to watch. Here's how last year's top five turned out: 1. Hungary: Kati Wolf - What About My Dreams (6744) 2. United Kingdom: Blue - I Can (5620) 3. France: Amaury Vassili - Sognu (5530) 4. Estonia: Getter Jaani - Rockefeller Street (5198) 5. Sweden: Eric Saade - Popular (5188) And the other ones in the top five on the night... 6. Azerbaijan: Ell & Nikki - Running Scared (3399) 9. Denmark: A Friend in London - New Tomorrow (2885) 15. Italy: Raphael Gualazzi - Madeness of Love (2010) 35. Ukraine: Mika Newton - Angel (923) This year's one closes in a couple of weeks, but this is how it looks so far: 1. Sweden: Loreen - Euphoria (6816) 2. Spain: Pastora Soler - Quédate Conmigo (3957) 3. Iceland: Greta Salóme & Jonsi - Never Forget (3842) 4. Serbia: Zeljko Joksmovic - Nije Ljubav Stvar (3637) 5. Italy: Nina Zilli - L'amore e Femmina (3149) Probably not a very good indication with how much Kati Wolf ran away with it last year, but thought I'd post it anyway. :D http://www.escstats.com/

I'm sure they'll end up participating. I seriously hope so anyway, I love 'La La Love'! Might give her a bit of extra promo anyway!

Probably my most realistic outcome so far, minus the fact that Russia aren't there... 1. Sweden (306) 2. Italy (289) 3. Iceland (193) 4. Serbia (169) 5. United Kingdom (152) 6. Spain (131) 7. Greece (121) 8. Azerbaijan (120) 9. Belgium (104) 10. Bosnia Herzegovina (97) 11. Moldova (83) 12. Ireland (74) 13. Cyprus (73) 14. Portugal (72) 15. Romania (69) 16. Germany (64) 17. Slovenia (56) 18. Turkey (56) 19. Ukraine (44) 20. Croatia (41) 21. Denmark (36) 22. Netherlands (35) 23. France (23) 24. San Marino (20) 25. Israel (8) 26. Bulgaria (0)

I think we're all (myself included) being a bit too quick to assume that Greece are going to do fantastically and Cyprus pretty average to be honest. Last year proved that you can have some major shocks, and on the whole, Ivi is getting a better reaction than the Greek girl. I need to have a re-assess of my semi finals. Don't think Turkey will do that well, and I genuinely think Bosnia-Herzegovina are going to do better than that. Good position in the semi final, and I really think it's a fantastic ballad! I do prefer Slovenia's though... Can pretty much see the rest happening though, apart from Serbia doing that well. Shit position to sing from, average song, ageing singer... The fact he's big in the Balkans will be enough to ensure he eases through though of course. Hmm...definitely can't see Spain doing that badly, I can actually see them amongst the top five - at least - this year! I absolutely love the Italian entry, but I'm beginning to think Nina might also have to settle for a mid top ten position at the moment. I think Romania will do similarly to France in 2010, so can't see them getting over 200 points at all myself, and I can see Cyprus and Greece taking more votes from each other. The draw will be key to how well they do, as well as their live vocals. Balkan votes are going to cancel each other out slightly, so I agree with some of those positions. Can't see Serbia finishing higher than seventh really... And I'd be VERY pleased if the United Kingdom were to finish that high. I just can't work out how we're going to do at all! Oh and Sweden. I really can't see it winning, but then I don't know what else will. I put a bet on Spain yesterday, so perhaps they could spring a surprise on us?!

I've a strange feeling this could win. It's just my daily thought.

This has got more bizarre this year... 1. Norway (204) 2. Sweden (204) 3. Serbia (174) 4. Moldova (141) 5. Spain (132) 6. Ireland (130) 7. Cyprus (127) 8. Greece (119) 9. Iceland (117) 10. Slovenia (114) 11. Azerbaijan (114) 12. Turkey (107) 13. Netherlands (96) 14. Bosnia Herzegovina (73) 15. Israel (63) 16. Hungary (62) 17. Romania (62) 18. Germany (57) 19. Italy (57) 20. Portugal (53) 21. United Kingdom (50) 22. Denmark (48) 23. Lithuania (36) 24. France (36) 25. San Marino (31) 26. Estonia (29)

Hmm... 1. Spain (248) 2. Switzerland (185) 3. Italy (153) 4. Bosnia Herzegovina (153) 5. Cyprus (147) 6. Serbia (133) 7. Sweden (118) 8. Iceland (110) 9. Romania (106) 10. Israel (105) 11. Netherlands (105) 12. Azerbaijan (97) 13. Germany (97) 14. Estonia (97) 15. Norway (91) 16. Bulgaria (89) 17. Slovenia (83) 18. Denmark (71) 19. San Marino (64) 20. Finland (53) 21. Malta (42) 22. Portugal (34) 23. Moldova (23) 24. United Kingdom (16) 25. Hungary (13) 26. France (3)

Glad some of it is staying in Italian. I just LOVE it. Definitely my favourite this year!

I don't know much about Serbian immigration, not gonna lie. I realise he's in the Balkan-centric semi final, and he's no doubt guaranteed at least 36 points there. Okay, maybe 79 points is a slight underestimate, but I'll stick by it for now!